Abhraka Bhasma

Abhraka bhasma — the incinerated mica preparation of rasashastra — is Ayurveda’s premier rejuvenative mineral medicine, used in respiratory, nervous, and convalescent conditions after elaborate shodhana and marana processing.

Overview

Mica (abhraka — “the sky-born”) processed through repeated calcination cycles with herbal juices (the satwapatana and marana sequences — often a hundred putas for the highest grades); the classical grades (the four classes by color and quality — the pinaka? — the shudha and vajra-abhraka grades); the pharmacopoeial standards (the classical tests: rekhapurnata, varitara, nishchandratva).

Therapeutic Claims

Rasayana (rejuvenation — the premier vata-pacifying mineral), respiratory conditions (swasa-kasa), anemia, nervous debility; the classical formulations (the abhraka-based yoga — Shatavari? — the compound contexts).

Modern Research

Characterization studies confirm transformation to magnesium-aluminum-silicate nanoparticles post-marana; animal toxicology at pharmacopoeial doses favorable in monitored studies; human trials scarce; the contamination issue (improperly prepared products) shadows the class.

Verification notes

• Preparation and classical claims follow rasashastra texts; the toxicology profile is early-stage.
• Audited against the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia literature (September 2026).