ISSN: 2322 - 0902 (P)

ISSN: 2322 - 0910 (O)

International Journal of Ayurveda
and Pharma Research

Research Article

A RESEARCH ON PHARMACUETICAL PREPARATION OF TAMRA GARBHA POTTALI

Himabindu1* Ravi chavan2, M.S.Doddamani3
*1Assistant professor, Dept of RSBK, Nagur Ayurveda Medical College Bijapur.
2Associate Professor Dept of RSBK, TGAMC Bellary.

3Professor & Hod, Dept of RSBK, GAMC, Shivamoga, India.

ABSTRACT
Ayurveda a science of life bloomed on its own concepts of health maintenance and curative
aspects. One of the prenomial off shoot of Ayurveda is Rasashastra, an Indian alchemy. Pottali
kalpana is a peculiar pharmaceutical dosage form, is unique in terms of its preparation, mode of
administration, quick in action, less dose and easy for transportation. Tamra Garbha pottali
(TMGP) is one such herbo-mineralo-metallic complex formulation containing Tamra bhasma
(T.B), Shodita Swarna, Hingulotta Parada and Sh.Gandhaka. Among the different pharmaceutical
methods, Gandhaka paka method is considered to be the best method to enhance the properties
of the drugs and to keep them in a concise form.
Pilot study of 6 Pottalis was conducted to standardize the temperature required to do Pottali paka
and to assess the Pottali siddi lakshanas like Vyoma varna of Gandhaka paka , hardness of Pottali
and changes of silk cloth tied to the Pottali. The main study conducted in 2 batches on the
standards made by the pilot study. Observations made on the time duration required for the
study, temperature to be given to Paka, changes in the Gandhaka varna till attainment Vyoma
varna noted. The Study gave standard pharmaceutical method of Pottali paka w.s.r to Tamra
garbha pottali.
KEYWORDS: TMGP, Tamra bhasma, Pottali, Pottali siddha Laksana, Gandhaka Paka.
INTRODUCTION
Rasashastra is one of the prenomial off shoot Shula, Vardhakya, and Shosha.
of Ayurveda which deals with the herbo-mineral MATERIAL AND METHODS
formulations. Ever since the inception of Hindu Preparation of Kajjali & Tamra bhasma
Alchemy by Parada and Gandhaka, it’s evolution lead
Parada extracted from Hingula through
to series of compounds and formulations. Pottali is
Hingulotta parade[1] method. Gandhaka shodhana
one such formulation. Pottali word was used for
carried out in Kurma puta[2] method. Equal quantity
different purposes in Ayurvedic literature. The word
of Hingulotta Parada and Sh.Gandhaka are mixed in a
Pottali is derived as पटु् – पोट – पोट्टलि – पोट्टलिका । Khalva yantra and Mardhana carried out till
Here the word Puta applied to minimize, to concise attainment of Kajjali siddhi lakshanas for 150 hours.
or to make compact having Pratyaya, further from Pure Suchi vyadha Tamra patras taken and subjected
the root La with “I” Pratyaya meaning to take or to to Shodhana[3] and Vishesha shodhana[4] as per the
receive, thus the word Pottali formed. Among the classical reference. Tamra bhasma was prepared
different Pottalis mentioned in classics, Tamra according to the classics[5] using Samaguna Kajjali
Garbha Pottali (TMGP) is Sagandha, Sagni, Murchita and Nimbhu swarasa as media., Gandhaka which is
parada yoga, congaing ingredients like Tamra stated as Shulvari[6] is taken as Marana media in the
bhasma, Sh.Swarna, Hingulotta Parada, Sh.Gandhaka, successive Putas. TB was subjected to various
a generic formulation have its distinct role classical parameters of Bhasma pareeksha along with
therapeutically. It is the need of the hour to explore Amla dadhi pareeksha which is specific for TB, all
pharmaceutical aspect of the formulation. Hence found positive after 31st Puta. Amritikarna[6] of TB
present study made an effort to set a standard was carried out as per the classical reference.
manufacturing procedure for TMGP preparation
which is indicated in many of disorders like
Kaphajanya and Tridoshaja Shwasa, Kaasa, Jvara,
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 Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2021;9(3):23-29
Preparation of Tamra Garbha pottali after 7th Bhavana and dried under shade. 6 Pottalis
The method of preparation was according to weighting 12gm each were prepared for pilot study
the Rasayogasagara . In classics different opinions
[7] and two Potalis weighting 1 Pala each were prepared
are there regarding the duration of heat for Pottali for main study. The dried TMGP tied in 4 layered silk
paka. Hence, pilot study was carried out initially to cloth, which is spread with sh.Gandhaka(1/4th part of
assess the temperature and duration of heat required Pottali wt) in each layer, and tied to a Loha shalaka,
to attain Pottali siddhi lakshanas. 6gm of Hingulotta immersed in Druta Gandhaka in a Mrit patra. Mrith
Parada and 750mg of Sh.Swarana patras were patra was kept at the centre of Valuka yantra.
triturated to prepare Dhatu pishti. Datu pishti Mandagni was given throughout the procedure.
prakshalana was carried out with Nimbhu swarasa Pyrometer was kept in Valuka 5cm always from Mrith
and Saindhava. 10 gm of Sh.Gandhaka added to Dhatu patra to assess the temperature. The observations
pishti trituration carried out till attainment of Kajjali and results were noted systematically. After
siddhi lakshanas.120gm of TB was added to the attainment of Pottali siddhi lakshanas, TMGP taken
prepared Kajjali, trituration carried out for 24 hrs as out of Gandhaka paka, allowed for Swangasheeta,
said in classics. Kumari swarasa bhavana was given to adhered Gandhaka was scraped and stored in a air
the Tamra Garbha Pottali kajjali for 7 times. Slight tight container.
weight gain was observed after 7 Bhavana. The whole procedure of TMGP Kalpana will be
Shikararambha (conical) shape given to the Pottali divided under 3 headings as follows
Table 1: The whole procedure of TMGP Kalpana
1. Purva karma a. Preparation of Pottali for Gandhaka Paka
b. Placing of Mrit patra in Valuka Yantra.
2. Pradhana karma a. Uniform Heating Pattern
b. Observation and Recording of Temperature
c. Maintaining the Gandhaka Level
3. Paschat karma a. Removal of Pottali from Mrith patra
b. Removal of debris around the Pottali
c. Collection of Final product.
Observations
Table 2: Observations made during Swarna Pisti
Swarna Shuddha Hingulottha Nimbu Saindhava Swarna Pisti after Loss during
Pisti Swarna Patra Parada Swarasa Lavana Prakshalana Pisti
1 750mg 6gm 30 ml 1 pinch 9gm 0
Table 3: Showing different phases of Tamra Garbha Pottali Kajjali during Trituration
Hours Observation
At 0 min Swarna Pisti + Gandhaka
After 5 min Light Grey with small Swarna Pisti particles
After 30 min Greyish green colour with shiny particles
After 1 Hour Yellow streaks with more shiny particles
After 5 Hours Colour turned to Black
After 10 Hours Black powder with shiny particles
After 50 hours flakes adhered to Khalwa.
After 100 hours flakes started to merge with Kajjali powder.
After 150 hours flakes reduced , shining particles seen in Kajjali
After 210 Hours Kajjali + Tamra bhasma
After 214 Hours Mixture became homogeneous
After 220 Hours Attained Rekha purnata & Shlakshnata
After 230Hours Varitara test was positive
After 234Hours Shining particles were reduced
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 A Research on Pharmacuetical Preparation of Tamra Garbha Pottali. Himabindu, Ravi chavan, M.S.Doddamani
Table 3: Bhavana with Kumari svarasa
Quantity Duration
Observation
of Kumari of Bhavana
1 40 ml 4 ½ hr Colour was blackish gray with persistent irritant odour.
2 40 ml 4 hrs Colour was black with persistent irritant odour.
3 40 ml 4 ½ hrs Colour was black with persistent irritant odour.
4 40 ml 4 ½ hrs Colour was black.
5 40 ml 4 ½ hrs Colour was black with slight irritant odour
6 40 ml 4 hrs Colour was black.
7 40 ml 3 ½ hrs Colour was black with reduced irritant odour.
Table 4: Temperature pattern and Observation - Pilot study of TmGP
Time Temp (0c) Observation
Agni is ignited, 4800 gm of Shuddha gandhaka taken.
4.15am 26
Gandhaka started melting slowly
7.15 am 187 Complete melting of Gandhaka. Pottali is immersed in molten sulphur
8.15 am 208 Golden yellow colour of sulphur is observed
8.45 am 209 1st Pottali was taken out @ 1 ½ hr
9.15 am 202 Sulphur turned to dark brown colour
Colour of sulphur turned to dark brown, S fumes became denser, 2 nd
10.15 am 235
Pottali was taken out @ 3rd hr
Dense fumes of sulphur seen, thick layer of scum was removed,
11.15 am - 2.15pm 222 - 228
Gandhaka attained dark brown colour
Gandhaka attained Reddish brown colour,
12.15 – 1.15 pm 228 - 239
3rd Pottali was taken out @ 6th hr
1.15 – 2.15 pm 239 Reddish brown colour of Gandhaka, Viscosity of Gandhaka increased
Bluish tinge in colour of Gandhaka started to appear, 4th Pottali removed
2.15 – 3.15 pm 226
@ 8th hr (Metallic sound heard)
Gandhaka turned to chocolate brown colour, Dark bluish reflects of
3.15- 4.15 pm 225 Gandhaka observed, 5th Pottali removed @ 9th hr (Metallic sound clearly
heard)
4.15 – 5.15 pm 224 Gandhaka fumes reduced
Observed for Vyoma varna of Gandhaka, burning of silk cloth, metallic
5.15 - 6.15 pm 223- 239
sound of Pottali
6.15 – 7.15pm 239- 248 6th Pottali removed @ 12th hr
Table 5: Temperature record during – TMGP paka - Batch I & II
Duration Temparature Observation Batch I Temp (0C) Observations Batch II
(0C) Batch I Batch II
0 – 2 hrs 250 - 1850 C Complete melting of Gandhaka. 26 – 185 Complete melting of Gandhaka.
TMGP immersed in molten TMGP immersed in molten
Sulphur. Sulphur.
2 – 3 hrs 185 – 208 Golden yellow colour of sulphur 185 – 200 Golden yellow colour of
is observed sulphur is observed

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 Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2021;9(3):23-29
3 – 4 hrs 208 Thin layer of scum started to 200 – 213 slight fumes of ‘S’ started to
appear, Sulphur turned to dark appear.
brown colour ‘S’ turned to dark yellow colour.
Thin layer of scum was
removed.
4 – 5 hrs 215 – 225 Dark brown colour of Gandhaka 213 – 219 Dark brown colour of
is observed. Gandhaka is observed.
Sulphur fumes became denser. Sulphur fumes became denser.
5 – 6 hrs 225 – 229 Colour of sulphur was dark 219 – 222 Colour of sulphur was dark
brown with red tinge brown with red tinge
6 – 7 hrs 229 – 228 Dense fumes of sulphur seen. 222 – 223 Dense fumes of sulphur seen.
Thick layer of scum was Thick layer of scum was
removed. removed.
7 – 8 hrs 228 – 230 Gandhaka attained Reddish 223 – 226 Gandhaka attained Reddish
brown colour. brown colour.
8 – 9 hrs 230 Viscosity of Gandhaka increased. 223 Viscosity of Gandhaka
increased.
9 – 10 hrs 230 Bluish tinge in colour of 223 Bluish tinge in colour of
Gandhaka started to appear. Gandhaka started to appear.
Gandhaka fumes reduced. Gandhaka fumes reduced.
Slight burning was observed in
1st layer of silk cloth.
10 – 11 230 - 232 Observed for Vyoma varna of 223 Observed for Vyoma varna of
hrs Gandhaka, burning of silk cloth, Gandhaka, metallic sound of
metallic sound of Pottali. Pottali.
At the end of the 11th hr Pottali At the end of the 11th hr Pottali
taken out of Mrith patra. taken out of Mrith patra.
Graph no1: Showing the temperature pattern of Batch I - Tm.G.P
250
225 202 228 230 230 232
177 185
200
163

150

100 95

50
25
0
0 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th

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 A Research on Pharmacuetical Preparation of Tamra Garbha Pottali. Himabindu, Ravi chavan, M.S.Doddamani
Graph no 2: Showing the Temperature Pattern of Batch II - Tm.G.P
250
219 202 223 226 223 232
185
200 177
163
150

100 95

50
25
0
0 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th

Table 6: Result after Gandhaka paka

Pottali Colour Weight
Before Paka After Paka
1 Greyish black 11.5 gm 12 gm
2 Dull black 12 gm 12 gm
3 Black 12.5 gm 13 gm
4 Black 13 gm 13 gm
5 Jet black 12.5 gm 13 gm
6 Jet black 12 gm 12 gm
Table 7: Result before and after Gandhaka paaka
Result Batch I Batch II
Weight of TmGP before Paka 48.5 gm 48 gm
Weight of TmGP after Paka 46.5gm 46.5 gm
Loss of weight After Paka 2 gm 1.5 gm
DISCUSSION
TMGP is a Sagandha, Sagni Murchita Parada Dhatu pishti was prepared by mixing
yoga containing Tamra bhasma, Sh.Swarna, Sh.Swarna with Hingulotta parada (Table 02)
Hingulotta Parada and Sh.Gandhaka, a complex Mardana carried out till it convert into silvery white
herbomineral formulation. It is a unique Pottali colured intermetallic compound with metallic luster.
rasayana prepared with Gandhaka paka method in Total 6 hr Mardana was carried out to attain above
Mridu agni. The method of Pottali paaka has still said Lakshanas.
remained a topic which needs a standard to assess 2Au + Hg Au2Hg (intermetallic compound)
the Pottali paaka lakshanas, which may vary Pishti prakshala with Nimbhu swara and
according to drugs used like Swarna, Rajatha, Saindava lavana helps in removing the impurities and
Abhraka bhasma, Manashila, Haratala bhasma, finely powdered Sh.Gandhaka was added to the
Bhasmas of Sudha varga dravyas etc, according to the Swarna pishti, Mardana carried out for 210 hrs till
Agni and its duration. In a nut shell, Pottali Kalpana attainment of Kajjali siddi lakshanas like
can be understood as a specific Pharmaceutical Kajjalabhasa, Nishchandrata.
technique which is intended for keeping different
Tamra bhasma mixed to the Dhatu pishti
constituents in their processed, purified, incinerated,
Kajjali and Mardhana carried out for 24 hrs@ which
Sindhoora form into unique complex formula. This
lead to the formation of a complex compound. Fresh
specific technique developed for potentiating the
Kumari Swarasa was added to TmGP Kajjali and
constituents, stabilizing firm bonding between the
trituration was done for 4 hrs. This process carried
constituents forming a coordinating complex with
out for 7 days. Bhavana with Kumari Swarasa was not
high therapeutic efficacy.
a mere Bhavana media in turn which helps in particle
size reduction, uniform mixing of Kajjali and
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 Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2021;9(3):23-29
potentiating the product by converting the free After 9 hours, burning of silk cloth and Vyoma
elements into compound form and addition of varna of Liquid sulphur was observed along with
organic compounds by heating process metallic sound (Pottali banged against the pot).
(chemisorption). Kumari swarasa is also acts as a Pottali siddha lakshanas were appeared and the
binding agent, which helpful in giving Shikarambha Pottali was removed from molten sulphur and
Akara to the TmGP before going to Pottali paka. allowed for self cooling.
A Pottli weighing 48gm is prepared and dried After self cooling, Gandhaka which is adhered to the
under shade. Drying is a process where addition- TMGP was scraped out clearly.
elimination reaction helps in formation of complex Table 8: Showing the TMGP ingredients
molecule by removal of water/gaseous particles
Ingredients Quantity
(condensation reaction). TmGP was tied in 4 layered
silk cloth and sandwiched with equal qt of Tamra bhasma 10 Karsha (120 gm)
sh.Gandhaka powder to that of dried TMGP made into Kajjali (sh.Parada+ 1 Karsha (12 gm)
4 parts. sh.Gandhaka)
Preparation of TMGP Sh.Gandhaka 1 Tanka (4 gm)
Pilot study was carried out to assess the
duration and range of temperature for TMGP. Initially Swarna tanutantu khanda 1 Ratti (750 mg)
Sh.Gandhaka was taken in a mud pot and kept in REFERENCES
Valuka yantra, made into Drutha (liquid) form. 1. Sri Sadananda Sharma, Rasa Tarangini, edited by
During the entire procedure Mridu agni i.e., 1600- Kashinatha Shastri, 11th Edition, New Delhi,
2400 was maintained with the gradual increase from Motilala Banarasidas publication, 1979, 5th
room temperature to the specific temp mentioned. Chapter, verse 38-42, 82pp.
The same pattern was followed for the main study, 2. Acharya Shri Madhava, Ayurveda Prakasha, Hindi
which is helpful in the formation of complex commentaries, edited by Shri Gulrajsharma
compound under pressure through liquid sulphur Mishra, reprint, Varanasi, Chaukhambha Bharati
media. Academy publication, 1999, 2nd chapter, Verse 20,
OBSERVATIONS 261pp.
1. Characteristic sulphur odour perceived at 1500C 3. Sri Vagbhatacharya, Rasa Ratna Samucchaya,
i.e., after half an hour of heating. Edited by Pandit Sri Dharmanandana sharma, 2nd
2. Complete melting of whole sulphur after two Edition, Varanasi, Motilal banarasidas
hours of heating. publication, 1996, 5 chapter, verse 53, 101 pp.
th

3. The TMGP was immersed after melting of 4. Acharya Sri Madava, Ayurveda Prakasha, Edited
Gandhaka present in the pot. by Gulraj Sharma Mishra, 2nd Edition, Varanasi,
4. White coloured Sulphur fumes were observed at Chaukamba Bharat Academy, 1999, 3 rd chapter,
i.e., after 2 & ½ hr of heating. The Sulfur having verse 48, 355pp.
114oC as melting point, melts (S) at 1690C, 5. Sri Vagbhatacharya, Rasa Ratna Samuchchya,
combines with Oxygen forms SO2 and escapes in Edited by Dharmanandana sharma, 2nd Edition,
the form of white fumes. Varanasi, Motilal banarasi das, 1996, 5th Chapter,
5. At 165-1850C sulfur starts forming long polymer Verse 50, 82pp.
chains and thus its viscosity increase slightly and 6. Sri Sadananda Sharma, Rasa Tarangini, edited by
it appear with thick yellow fumes. Kashinatha Shastri, 11th Edition, New Delhi,
6. For every half an hour, molten Gandhaka is Motilala Banarasidas publication, 1979, 8th
observed for its colour change according to time Chapter, verse 3-5, 175pp.
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varna of Gandhaka.
*Address for correspondence
Cite this article as: Dr Himabindu
Himabindu, Ravi chavan, M.S.Doddamani. A Research on Pharmacuetical Assistant professor,
Preparation of Tamra Garbha Pottali. International Journal of Ayurveda and Dept of RSBK, Nagur Ayurveda
Pharma Research. 2021;9(3):23-29. Medical College Bijapur.
Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared Email: bindu013456@gmail.com

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 A Research on Pharmacuetical Preparation of Tamra Garbha Pottali. Himabindu, Ravi chavan, M.S.Doddamani
FIGURES

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