Unani Formulation - Jamia Hamdard

Powdering of Sang-e-Surma (Antimony)
Sang-e-Surma (Antimony) is ground in a Havan (Mortar) with Dasta
(Pestle). The process of powdering is continued till the shining of the
particles disappears and the powder is tested between the fingers for
its fineness. If it is still coarse then the process is repeated till the
lightest degree of fineness is obtained for which it is sieved through
piece of silk cloth to obtain the finest quality of Surma.
Powdering of Toxic Drugs
Poisonous or toxic drugs are made first Mudabbar (Purified or Detoxified)
and then ground to fine powder. Kuchla (Strychnos nuxvomica
seed), besides being poisonous, is also very hard and difficult to
powder. It is therefore, ground immediately when it is soft. In case, it
gets hard on drying, it is powdered by frying in Roghan Zard (Ghee)
or any other suitable oil by which the drug is crisped.
Powdering of Tukhm Tamar Hindi
(Tamarindus indica fruit seed)
Tukhm-e-Tamar Hindi is soaked in water for four to five days. The
brownish outer covering (Testa) of the seeds is removed and the seeds
are ground to powder. The outer covering can also be removed by
roasting the seeds and powder can be done.
Powdering of Zafran (Crocus sativa gynacium), Kafoor
(Cinnamomum camphora dried extract) etc
Drugs like Zafran, Kafoor are ground only in a dry Kharal (Mortar),
with slow and light movements of the Dasta (Pestle) to avoid
sticking of the drug with the mortar. It is also ground with a few
drops of Sherbet Angoori. Lastly, these drugs are added to the
powder of other drugs and mixed well in a mortar. Zafran powder is
called Zafran mehlool. It is powdered in particular aqua like Arq
Gulab etc.
Ehraq-e-Advia (Burning)
Ehraq is the process by which drugs are burnt to the charring stage
but not reduced to ash. Drugs, which undergo this process, are
suffixed with the term “Muharraq’’ or “Sokhta’’. For example, Sartan
Muharraq, Busud Sokhta, Aqrab Sokhta etc. This process is
undertaken to evaporate all the moisture content and to make the
drug completely dry indicated in respective formula. The method of
process of Sartan Muharraq Busud sokhta, Aqrab sokhta etc. are
described below.
Busud sokhta (Corallium rubrum burnt to the charring stage but
not reduced to ash)
Busud is broken into small pieces and kept between a pair of
shallow earthen discs. The edges of the discs are sealed with layers
of cloth and pasted with Gil-e-Multani (Multani Clay). The discs are
heated in fire of dung cakes for a specific period. Afterwards, discs
are taken out, allowed to cool and opened. This way the drug inside
the discs gets charred.
Sartan Sokhta or Sartan Muharraq (Crab burnt to charring stage
not to ash)
Choose fully-grown Sartan (Sceilla serrata) remove their
appendages and viscera, wash them thoroughly with saline water.
Keep them in clay pot and seal with clay and let them dry. Give them
required heat over low fire till charred.
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