Bhasmas and gutikas are Ayurvedic medicinal preparations. Bhasmas involve calcining metals, minerals, or animal products through a special process to create fine powders. Their preparation is a multi-step process involving purification and repeated grinding and sealing in cow dung pits. Gutikas are pill preparations made by combining plant, mineral, or animal drugs along with binders. They are produced through a process of grinding ingredients into a paste and rolling into pills, which can be used for up to two years. Both bhasmas and gutikas aim to provide stable, potent forms of ingredients for medical use according to Ayurvedic principles.

1. Bhasmas
The powdered form of the substance which is obtained by the
calcination of metals, mineral
And animal products by a special process in closed crucibles or in
pits covered with cow dung cakes (Puta), is known as bhasma.
Charcateristics
Bhasmas are grey, whitish, yellowish or lack coloured powders.
They are stored in glass containers.
Bhasmas are quite stable products and maintain their potency for a
long time.

2. Method of Preparation
The method of preparation of bhasma consists of two steps/stages
1. Sodhana
2. Marana
Both the processes are time consuming and need special attention all the time.
1) Sodhana: In Ayurveda, the process of purification is called Sodhana. It is of
two types:
i) Samanya Sodhana: Which is applicable to a large number of metalsor
minerals, as heating the thin sheets of the metals and immersing them in
tailas or gomutra, etc.
ii) Visesa Sodhana: Which is applicable only to certain drugs and in certain
preparations.

3. Method of Preparation
2) Second Stage : Marana: The second stage is the prreparation of bhasma. It
invovles the following steps:
1) The purified drug is put into a mortar and pestle and ground with juices of the
specified plants or kasayas of drugs mentioned for a particular mineral or
metal.
2) It is ground for the specified period of time.
3) Then small cakes are made.
4) These cakes are dried well under sunlight and placed in one single layer in a
shallow earthern plate and closed with another plate.
5) The edges are sealed with clay smeared cloth in seven consecutive layers and
dried.
6) A pit is dug in an open space.
7) Half of the pit is filled with cow dung cakes.
8) The sealed earthen container is placed in it and the remaining space is filled
with more cow dung cakes.
9) Fire is put in all four sides and the middle of the pit. When the burning is over,
it is allowed to cool completely.

4. Method of Preparation
10. The earthen container is removed, seal is opened and the contents
taken out.
11. The medicine is ground into a fine powder in a khalva.
12. This process of triturating with the juice, making cakes and giving
putas, is repeated as many times as prescribed.
Generally bhasmas are yellowish, black, white, grey, red and reddish black;
depending upon the predoninant drug as well as the other drugs in the
process of marana.
Examples:
Tamra Bhasma
Godanti Bhasma
Pravala Bhasma
Mukta Bhasma
Shankha Bhasma

5. Gutikas
Gutikas is a medicament in the form of pills. It is mainly made by using
vegetables, mineral or animal drug in combination form.
 This preparation can be used upto two years.
 Gutika in the form of pills with mineral ingredients can be used definitely.
Method of Preparation:
1. The drug of plant origin are dried and made into fine powder separately.
2. The mineral are made into bhasmas unless otherwise mention.
3. Where mercury and sulphur are mentioned. Kajjaliu is made first and other
drug added one by one a/c to formula.
4. These are put into khalva and ground to a soft paste with the prescribed fluids.
5. When the mass is properly ground and is in the condition to be made into pills,
flavouring agent like; Kasturi and Karpura as required are added and ground
again.

6. Gutikas
6. The final pill mass should not stick to the fingers when rolled.
7. Pills may be dried in shade or in Sun.
8. Where sugar or jaggery mentioned paka is briskly mixed.
9. When still warm Vatikas should be rolled and dried in shade.
10. Pills made up of plant drug when kept in air tight container can be used for
two years.
11. Pills containing minerals, can be used for an indefinite period.
12. Gutika should not loose their colour, odour and taste after formulation.
13. Gutika must be kept away from moisture if they contain sugar and salt.
Example:
Lasunadi Gutika
Marma Gutika
Pranda Gutika