Rasaka (Zinc Carbonate) Types, Shodhana, Marana, Qualities

Rasaka controversial drug of Rasashastra. Some scholars consider Tuttha (Sasyaka) variety as Rasaka. And some consider Rasaka as one of the synonyms of Yashada. But, upon scrutinizing the Shastras, it can be definitively said that it is a compound of Yashada.

Table of Contents

Synonyms

Rasaka, Kharpara, Yashadakarana, Tamraranjaka, Netrarogari, Reetikrit.

Availability

America, barma, Russia. In India, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bangal, Madras etc.

Types

Mrutrikabha (Calamine) – best. Similar to mud.
Gudabha (Zincite) – medium. Similar to jaggery.
Pashanabha (Zinc blande) – bad. Similar to stone.

Dardura (Calomine) – used for Satwapatana
Karavellaka (Smithsonite) – used for medicinal purposes.

Suitable characteristics

For medicinal purposes, Karavellaka type, without layers, bolus like, similar to Karavellaka in shape (irregular surface), should be taken.

For Satwapatana, Dardura type, having shape similar to frog’s back, (smooth and even surface) should be taken.

Necessity of Shodhana

अशुद्ध खर्परः कुर्याद्वान्तिं भ्रान्तिं विशेषतः ।
तस्माच्छोध्यः प्रयत्नेन यावत् वान्ति विवर्ज्जितः ॥ (आ.प्र.२/२८३)
aśuddha kharparaḥ kuryādvāntiṃ bhrāntiṃ viśeṣataḥ |
tasmācchodhyaḥ prayatnena yāvat vānti vivarjjitaḥ || (ā.pra.2/283)

Internal administration of impure Rasaka leads to vomiting and giddiness. Therefore, calx should be prepared only after purification.

Shodhana

कटुकालाबुनिर्यास आलोड्यरसकं पचेत् ।
शुद्धं दोषविनिर्मुक्तं पीतवर्णं च जायते ॥ (र.र.स.२/१५४)
kaṭukālābuniryāsa āloḍyarasakaṃ pacet |
śuddhaṃ doṣavinirmuktaṃ pītavarṇaṃ ca jāyate || (ra.ra.sa.2/154)

Katutumbi rasa (juice of bitter gourd) is taken in a pot, Rasaka is added to he pot, and heated. By this, Rasaka gains yellowish colour and becomes pure. The swarasa should evaporate completely.
खर्परः परिसन्तप्तः सप्तवारं निमज्जितः ।
बीजपूररसस्यान्तनिर्मलत्वं समश्नुते ॥
नृमूत्रे वाऽश्वमूत्रे वा तक्रे वा काञ्जिकेऽथवा ।
प्रताप्य मञ्जितं सम्यक् खर्परं परिशुद्धयति ॥ (र.र.स.२/१५५-१५६)
kharparaḥ parisantaptaḥ saptavāraṃ nimajjitaḥ |
bījapūrarasasyāntanirmalatvaṃ samaśnute ||
nṛmūtre vā’śvamūtre vā takre vā kāñjike’thavā |
pratāpya mañjitaṃ samyak kharparaṃ pariśuddhayati || (ra.ra.sa.2/155-156)

Rasaka gets purified by heating till becomes red and then dipping it in the juice of Jambira (Citrus limonum) or in human male urine or buttermilk or in sour gruel. This process should be repeated for seven times.

Marana

Shuddha Karpara powder is added with equal parts of karitala and cakes are prepared by adding water. Taken inside Samputa and given 3-4 general Putas.
Shuddha karpara powder is taken ina vessel, heated, in between Saidnhavalavana powder is added little by little and rubbed with ladle made of Palasha wood.. the rubbing is continued till the whole mass converts into Bhasma.
Shuddha karpara is added with equal parts of Parada and triturted well, taken inside Samputa and Puta is given for 3 times to get yellow coloured Bhasma.

Satwapatana
Karpara, Laksha, Haritaki, Haridra, Atasi, Guda Rala and Tankana are taken in equal quantities, triturated well, taken in Andhamusha and subjected to intense fire to get Karpara Satwa.

Dosage

½ – 2 Ratti (62.5 mg to 250 mg) per day in divided doses.

Qualities

Useful in all types of Prameha, mitigates kaphaand Pitta, useful in eye disorders,
Useful in all types of Prameha, mitigates kaphaand Pitta, useful in eye disorders,
Raktapitta – bleeding disorders,
Ashmari – urinary calculi,
Arsha – hemorrhoids,
Shwasa – dyspnea,
Jeernajwara – chronic fevere,
Visha – poisoning, and
Kushtha – skin disorders.

Side effect management

How to treat adverse effects of Rasaka Bhasma

रसक निषेवणतो यदि रोगाः प्रादुर्भवन्ति मनुजानाम् ।
तेनाशमाप्नुवन्ति पीतं गोमूत्र सप्ताहात् ॥ (बृ.र.रा.सु)
rasaka niṣevaṇato yadi rogāḥ prādurbhavanti manujānām |
tenāśamāpnuvanti pītaṃ gomūtra saptāhāt || (bṛ.ra.rā.su)
Gomutra should be advised for drinking for one week.