Unani Formulation - Jamia Hamdard

General Process
Kootna aur peesna, Daq wa Sahaq (Pounding and Grinding)
The process of powdering by pounding and grinding is called Daq
wa Sahaq (Kootna aur peesna). Drugs are generally powdered in
mortar with pestle. In the preparation of certain compound
formulations single drugs are used in the form of coarse or fine
powder. These are made of different material as stone, wood, iron,
porcelain or glass. Some times drugs are powdered in stone mortar
or even in glass mortar. As Zafran (Crocus sativa gynacium) is ground
either in ceramic or glass mortar. Some very hard Hajariyat (Stones)
are ground in iron or very hard stone mortar. Now days on large scale
pulverizing machines are used.
Making Powder of certain Drugs
Powdering of Abresham (Bombax mori cocoon)
Abresham (Bombax mori cocoon) are cut into small pieces so the
dead insect is thrown out. It is roasted in an iron pan over low fire,
care being taken to ensure that they are not burnt. It is then ground in
a mortar with pestle to make fine powder.
Powdering of Hard Drugs
Drugs are dried in shades, sun or over very low heat to evaporate
their moisture contents and pounded in an iron mortar. Drugs are
initially broken into pieces by gentle pounding then vigorous
pounding is employed till fine powder is made. The powder is sieved
and coarse powder is pounded again till it becomes fine powder. If
some powder still remains coarse particles of drugs, which are
unable to pound, are ground with Sill Batta with water and paste is
made. This paste is dried and powder is made.
Powdering of Moist and Resinous Drugs
Drugs like Afiun (Papaver somniferum Linn latex), Ushq (Dorcus
ammonicum gum), Muqil (Commiphora mukul gum), Anardana
(Punica granatum Linn seed), Narjeel daryai (Lodoicea maldivica
Pers fruit) etc. are first dried in a pan over a low fire to evaporate
their moisture content. Care should be taken to ensure that they are
not burnt. They are then powdered.
Powdering of Musk (Moschcus moschiferus secretion of a gland),
Amber (Ambra grasea secretion)
Drugs like Musk (Moschcus moschiferus secretion of a gland),
Junudbedster (Caster beaver) and Amber (Ambra grasea secretion)
etc. are ground either dried or with a suitable Arq / Roghan and used
as required in the respective formula.
Powdering of dry Fruits and Nuts
Kernels of nuts and dry fruits are ground only on Sill Batta or in
Kharal (Mortar). The powder of these drugs is not sieved.
Powdering of Hajariyat (Stones and Minerals)
Hajariyat (Stones and minerals) are first ground in Kharal (Mortar)
of hard stone or Havan (Iron Mortar), then sieved through sieves of
100 Mesh. The sieved powder is put in the same Kharal (Mortar)
and ground with Arq Gulab till the coarseness disappears. The fine
powder is then sieved through a piece of fine muslin cloth. Process
is repeated till the powder is microfine.
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