Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 371-378
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260340
Pharmaceutico-Analytical Evaluation of a Herbo-Mineral Formulation Containing Loha Bhasma, Kutaki and Haritaki Churna
Dr. Sheelam1, Dr. Prachi Suman1, Prof. Govind Sahay Shukla2, Dr. Rajaram Agarwal3, Dr. Manisha Goyal4, Dr. Ravi Pratap Singh5
1MD Scholar, 1MD Scholar, 2Vice Chancellor, 3HOD & Professor, 4Associate Professor, 5Assistant Professor
P.G. Department of Rasa Shastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Post Graduate Institute of Ayurved,
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Rajasthan Ayurved University, Jodhpur, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Sheelam, Dr. Prachi Suman
ABSTRACT
Background: Loha Bhasma is an important herbo-mineral preparation described in Rasa Shastra and is indicated in Pandu Roga. Its pharmaceutical quality depends on proper execution of classical Shodhana, Bhavana and Marana procedures. The present study was undertaken to prepare Loha Bhasma according to classical references and to formulate Loha Bhasma along with Kutaki and Haritaki Churna (LKH).
Aim: To prepare and standardize Loha Bhasma according to Rasa Ratna Samucchaya and Rasendra Sara Sangraha and to prepare the LKH formulation as described in Rasa Tarangini.
Materials and Methods: Raw Loha, Hingula, Kutaki, Haritaki and other required materials were authenticated before processing. Samanya Shodhana was performed by seven consecutive Nirvapa cycles in Tila Taila, Takra, Gomutra, Kanji and Kulatha Kwatha, followed by Vishesha Shodhana in Triphala Kwatha. Hingula was purified by seven Bhavana with Nimbu Swarasa. Shuddha Loha was subjected to Marana with purified Hingula and Kumari Swarasa through seven Puta. Kutaki and Haritaki were separately powdered and mixed with Loha Bhasma to prepare LKH. The prepared Loha Bhasma was evaluated by classical Bhasma Pariksha and instrumental analytical methods.
Results: Progressive changes in colour, brittleness, texture and weight were observed during pharmaceutical processing. The prepared Loha Bhasma fulfilled Rekhapurnatva, Varitaratva, Unnama and Nischandratva. The final yield was 463.3 g from 450 g of Shuddha Loha (102.96%). Powdering of Kutaki and Haritaki gave a combined yield of 85.71%, and the final LKH formulation was obtained as a homogeneous light-brown powder. Analytical evaluation showed a submicron particle population, characteristic Fe–O bands in FTIR, Hematite (Fe2O3) as the predominant crystalline phase by XRD, and an iron content of 67.48% by XRF.
Conclusion: The classical pharmaceutical procedures successfully transformed Loha into a fine, non-lustrous Bhasma fulfilling the desired classical characteristics. The LKH formulation was prepared as a homogeneous blend and the analytical findings supported its pharmaceutical characterization.
Keywords: Loha Bhasma, Shodhana, Marana, Kutaki, Haritaki, LKH, Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics.