Learn to easy the Pharmacy, 6th Sem Subject: Herbal Drug Technology. Code: Bp603T.

1. HERBAL DRUG
TECHNOLOGY
Herbal Drug Technology on
Ayurvedic Medicines

2. Ayurvedic System
• Ayurveda is one of the oldest system which came into existence in about 900BC.
• “The word ‘Ayur’ means ‘Life’ and ‘Veda’ means ‘Science’ i.e. The Science of life’.
• The book “Charak Samhita” was written by “Charka”, he was the father of “Ayurveda”.
• Ayurveda classifies the body into three basic biological elements which are known as ‘Vata’,
‘Pita’, ‘Kapha’.

3. Classification
• These medicines are present in traditional Ayurvedic text book such
“Charka, Samhita, Sushruta”.
Classical Ayurvedic Medicines: -
Example: Bhasma, Asavas & Arishtas etc.
Proprietary Medicines: - These are known as ‘Potent Medicines’.
Example: Capsules, Tablets & Syrups etc.

4. Ayurvedic Formulations
Ayurvedic formulations can be categorized into four types based on their physical
nature of dosage form.
01. Solid Dosage Form: Ex- Vatika, Ghutika*.
02. Semi Solid Dosage Form: Ex- Lehya*, Kalka, Lepa.
03. Liquid Dosage Form: Ex- Aristas*, Asavas*, Taila.
04. Powder Dosage Form: Ex- Bhasma*, Churnas*, Satva.

5. Arista and Asava
• They are also known as preparation containing self generated alcohol.
• They are prepared by soaking the drugs either powder/decoction form in a solution of sugar or
jaggery for a specific period of time, during which fermentation generating alcohol, thus
facilitating the extract of active principle present in the drug, it also serves as a preservative.
General Composition: -
Ingredients Examples
Medicinal Drugs Herbal: Juice.
Animals: Honey, Ghee.
Minerals: Iron, Gold.
Liquids Water, butter milk.
Sweet substances Guda, Sugar.
Prakshepaka Dravyas Dhataki puspha.

6. Arista
Method of Preparation: -
- The crude drugs are powdered/decoction (Kashaya) is prepared & filtered, as per the formula.
- Other ingredients are mixed with the decoction and, contents are added to a solution of sugar or
Guda or honey.
- It is boiled, cooled & transferred to wooden pots.
The mouth of container is covered with earthen lid & the edges are sealed with clay smeared cloth which
is wound in 7 layers.
- The container is kept in an underground cellar in order to ensure a constant temperature is
maintained during the process of fermentation.
After a specific period, lid is removed & contents are examined to ensure that the process of fermentation
has been completed.
Fluid is decanted and strained after 2-3 days, when fine particles settled at the bottom.
The fluid is filtered and stored in stoppered glass bottles/jars.
Example: Ashokarista, Ashwagandhaarista.

7. Asava
Method of preparation: -
 The drug in powdered and mixed with other ingredients and these contents are added to a
solution of sugar or Guda or honey, mixed well.
 It is then boiled, cooled & transferred to wooden pots.
 The mouth of container is covered with an earthen lid & the edges are sealed with clay smeared
cloth which is wound in 7 layers.
 Container kept in basement at constant temperature is maintained during the process
fermentation.
 After specific time period, lid is removed & examined to ensue that the process of fermentation
has been completed.
 Fluid is decanted and strained after 2-3 days, when fine particles at the bottom.
 The fluid is filtered and stored in well stoppered glass bottle/jars
 Example: - Arivindasava, Vasakasava & Kumaryasava etc.

8. Characters
Aristas and Asavas should be
without any foam at the top.
It should not become sour upon
standing.
It should have a characteristic
aromatic and alcoholic Odour.
There should be no effervescence
produced.

9. Taila
• Taila is the preparation in which the prescribed kasayas (Decoction) and kalkas (pulp of drugs)
are boiled in oil according to the formula.
#. Composition: -
Drava Dravyas – Liquid or liquids: - Kasaya.
Kalka – A fine paste of drugs.
Sneha Dravya – Oil (taila)
Example: - Jatyadi taila (Wound healing), Narayna taila (Vata roga) etc.

10. Taila
Method of preparation: -
 Kalka and Drava Dravyas are mixed together and then boiled with taila.
 Constant stirring is required to prevent the adherence of Kalka to the bottom of the vessel.
 In case of more number of Drava Dravyas, added in succession.
 Next Drava Dravya is added when earlier added is completely evaporated.
 On complete evaporation of all Drava Dravyas, mixture present in Kalka begin to evaporate.
 At the stage vigorous stirring is required otherwise Kalka will stick to the bottom of the vessel.
 Kalka should be tested from time to time know the condition & stage of the paka.
 Should be stored in airtight/well stoppered containers.

11. Conti..
• Three types of pakas are described: -
[A]. Mrudu Paka : Kalka is waxy and rolls like a lac when rolled between fingers, suitable for
nasya.
[B]. Madhyama Paka: Kalka is harder and burns with no cracking sound, suitable for pana and
vasti.
[C]. Khara Paka: final stage of paka, convenient for abhyanga.
#. Characters: -
01. Should be of desired consistency.
02. Should not be sticky.

12. Ghutika
• Ghutika or pills defined as the medicine prepared in the form of tablet or pills.
• These are made up of one or more drugs of plant and minerals origin.
Composition: -
 Plant, minerals drugs.
 Sugandha Dravyas.
 Jaggery/sugar.

13. Ghutika
Method of preparation: -
 The drugs are dried and finely powdered, minerals drugs are converted into calcinated
products or any other as specified.
 As per the mentioned formula, the drugs & other ingredients are mixed together & made
into a soft paste with specified liquids.
 It is then properly ground & made into Vati (tablet) or Ghutika (pills).
 Pills of minerals origin in air tight containers can be used for 2-3 years.
 Pills with salt/ksara should be kept away from moisture.
Example: - Astakshari Gutika (Athisara), Bilvadi Gutika (Jvara, Ajeema), Lavangodi Gutika (Cough).

14. Standardization Parameters/ Characters
• Particle size, Identification: Microscopy, HPTLC & TLC.
• Test for heavy metals and toxins, Microbial contamination.
01.
• Ghutika should be stable up to years after preparation.
02.
• It they contain only mineral ingredients, they can be used indefinitely.
03.
• They should not lese their original colour, Odour, taste & form upon storage.

15. Churna
• Churna is a fine powder of drugs.
• They contain single or combination of drugs along with other ingredients in a powdered from.
Method of Preparation: -
Drugs and other ingredients are in the formula(Camphor, salt & sugar) are separately
dried, finely powdered & sieved to get uniform size particles, they are mixed to get a uniform
powder.
Drugs like Asafoetida are roasted, powdered & mixed at the end.
Drugs which are taken in the fresh conditions like satavari, guduchi etc., are made in to paste, dried & then
added to the rest.
Should be stored in airtight containers.

16. Characters
• Example: Triphala Churna, Drakshadi Churna, Sudarshan Churna, Jataphaladya Churna
(Atisara) & Karpuradi Churna (Svasa, Ksaya) etc.
Should be a very
fine powder of at
least 80# sieve.
Should not be
sticky.
Churna are stable
up to one year if
they are stored
properly.
Finer the powder,
better is its
potency and
therapeutic value.

17. Leha/Avleha
• These are semisolid preparations made by boiling the powdered drug/extract with a solution of
sugar/ jaggery.
#. Composition: -
 Kasaya or other liquids.
 Jaggery/sugar.
 Powder/pulp of prescribed drugs.
 Ghee or oil & honey.

18. Leha/Avleha
Method of preparation: -
 Jaggery is dissolved in the liquid.
 It is boiled & filtered.
 The powder drugs/extract along with the ingredients are added with stirring to form a
homogenous semisolids mass.
 If necessary gee or oil is also added while the preparation is hot.
 Honey may be added when the preparation is cool & mixed well.

19. Characters
• Example: - Kantakri Avleha (Sula & Svasa), Chyavanprash (Immunity), Draksavaleha,
Vasavaleha & Bilvadileha Etc.
1. It should neither become hard nor liquify.
2. There should be no growth of fungus over it.
3. It should not change its colour, Odour & taste.
4. They can be used up to one year if properly stored.

20. Bhasma
• These are the powdered forms of drugs prepared by calcination of metals, minerals or animal
products by a special process in closed crucibles on in pits covered with cow dungs.
Method of preparation:- Are two stages-
i. Sadhana: - It is process of purification of metals, minerals by heating them and immersing in a specific liquid.
This is done to remove its toxicity.
ii. Marana: - This is the second stage of preparing Bhasma, in which the purified drugs obtained from Sadhana
process are ground and mixed with plants/extracts as specified. After the time, small cakes are made and
dried in sunlight.
The dried cakes are kept in earthen vessels, sealed with clay smeared cloth and kept in a pit covered with cow
dung and the fir is put on all the sides. After heating for a specified period, the contents are removed and ground
into a fine powder and stored.

21. Characters
Example: -Survarna Bhasma, shnkha Bhasma, taura Bhasma & Rajata Bhasma (Jvara,
Buddhinandya)
Bhasma are grey, whitish, yellowish
or black coloured powdered.
They should not change their
on storage.
They are highly stable for long
periods.

22. THANK YOU
palsrahul330@gmail.com