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Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “A literary review on mercury w.s.r. to its medicinal aspect�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Rasashastra (Rasa-shastra, Rasasastra):
Rasasastra is a branch of Ayurvedic medicine that deals with the therapeutic use of metals and minerals. It is particularly focused on the medicinal benefits of substances like mercury, which are processed and purified in various ways to be used in treating diseases.

2) Disease:
Within Ayurveda and specifically Rasasastra, mercury is said to cure even Asadhyarogas or incurable diseases, especially skin disorders. Purified mercury formulations are noted for their ability to treat a wide range of ailments effectively.

3) Gati:
Gati, or movements of mercury, refer to the loss of mercury during its handling, which can occur in several forms: loss during washing (Jala gati), with impurities (Mala gati), due to its quickening nature (Hamsa gati), as vapor during heating (Dhuma gati), and because of its volatile nature (Jiva gati).

4) Gold (Golden):
Gold, when combined with mercury, is known to alleviate all tridoshas (Tridosha hara). In Rasasastra, combining mercury with specific metals like gold, copper, silver, etc., is believed to impart various health benefits and cure related diseases.

5) Jarana:
Jarana refers to the process of digesting mercury with materials like Abhraka (mica) and noble metals, which stabilizes the mercury and allows it to retain its original state. This process is crucial for making mercury safe and effective for medicinal use.

6) Medicine:
Mercury-based medicines in Ayurveda are prepared through complex purification and processing techniques delineated in Rasasastra. These medicines are esteemed for their quick action, small dosage, and broad spectrum of therapeutic efficacy.

7) Hara:
Hara signifies the curative aspect, as seen in combinations where mercury paired with other metals is said to 'hara' (destroy) specific doshic diseases like pitta roga hara (pitta-related diseases), kapha-vata roga hara (kapha and vata-related diseases), etc.

8) Mineral:
In Rasasastra, minerals alongside metals are extensively used for their medicinal properties. Purification and specific processes like extraction of essences (Satwapatana) are applied to make these minerals therapeutically beneficial.

9) Nature:
The nature of mercury and its hazardous aspects have instigated global discussions leading to treaties like the Minamata Convention, impacting its use in traditional medicine despite its claimed therapeutic efficacy in Ayurveda.

10) Dosha (Dosa):
Dosha refers to impurities in mercury, classified into Naisargika (natural impurities like Visha, Vahni, Mala), Yougika (lead and tin), and Oupadika (other mixed impurities). Purification processes aim to eliminate these doshas making mercury safe for medicinal use.

11) Drug:
Mercurial drugs in Ayurveda are elaborately processed and purified to enhance their therapeutic properties. These drugs must be consumed following specific guidelines such as proper timing and dietary restrictions to prevent any complications.

12) Purification:
Purification of mercury is detailed in processes like Astadasasamskara (eighteen procedures). These include methods for rejuvenation (Rasayana) and alchemy (Dhatuvada), ensuring mercury is safe and effective for medicinal use.

13) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is a holistic science of life that includes Rasasastra as a specialized branch focusing on the medicinal use of metals and minerals. Mercury, or Parada, is central to these preparations and holds significant therapeutic value in this traditional system.

14) Parada:
Parada, or mercury, is the cornerstone of Rasasastra due to its reputed medicinal properties. It undergoes extensive purification to render it suitable for treating various diseases, making it a vital component in Ayurvedic medicine.

15) Vijayawada (Vijayavada, Vijaya-vada):
Vijayawada is mentioned as the location for RARISD (Regional Ayurveda Research Institute for Skin Disorders), a key institute where research on Ayurvedic texts and mercury's medicinal use is conducted.

16) Discussion:
Discussions in the context of Rasasastra involve the understanding and applicability of various techniques like Jarana, purification of mercury, and the intense research needed to elucidate these ancient methods for practical use today.

17) Bandhana (Bamdhana):
Bandhana refers to the 26 types of mercurial bonds cited in Rasasastra, each with distinct processing techniques and specific disease-curing properties, highlighting the intricate methods used to harness mercury's medicinal benefits.

18) Samskara:
Samskara are the various purification processes mercury undergoes to be made therapeutically effective. The Astadasasamskara includes eighteen distinct methods, divided into processes for rejuvenation and alchemy.

19) Rasendra (Rasa-indra):
Rasendra is a type of mercury described as syava varna (grey color), devoid of impurities, and rejuvenative. It is used as a purified form in therapeutic practices of Rasasastra.

20) Murchana (Murcchana):
Murchana is a process of making mercury therapeutically safe. It involves swooning mercury with or without sulphur. These processes are crucial in detoxifying mercury for medicinal use.

21) Roga:
Roga, meaning disease, is central to the discussion of mercury's medicinal aspects in Rasasastra. Mercury-based preparations are mentioned as effective treatments for even incurable (Asadhya) and chronic diseases, particularly skin disorders.

22) Food:
Food intake guidelines during mercurial medication help in optimizing the therapeutic effects and preventing complications. Pathya (wholesome) and Apathya (unwholesome) foods are specified to maintain health during treatment.

23) Paribhasha (Paribhasa):
Paribhasha encompasses the definitions and basic concepts of Rasasastra, which are essential for understanding mercurial procedures. These definitions help avoid errors in processing mercury for therapeutic use.

24) Rasayana (Rasa-ayana):
Rasayana is a concept within Ayurveda denoting rejuvenative treatments. Mercury preparations processed through specific Rasasastra methods are claimed to possess Rasayana properties, promoting longevity and vitality.

25) Mangalam:
[see source text or glossary: Mangalam]

26) Yogavahin (Yogavahi, Yoga-vahi, Yoga-vahin):
Yogavahi refers to the quality of mercury that enhances the efficacy and absorption of other medicines when used together. This property makes mercury a vital component in Ayurvedic treatments.

27) Apathya:
Apathya denotes unwholesome food and lifestyle practices that should be avoided during mercurial medication to prevent adverse effects and complications, ensuring the optimal therapeutic efficacy of the treatment.

28) Marana:
Marana is the process of incinerating metals to prepare bhasmas (ashes) for medicinal use. Mercury incineration is a key step in making it safe and effective for therapeutic applications in Rasasastra.

29) Ajirna:
Ajirna, or indigestion, is a potential complication from the improper intake of mercurial drugs. Classical texts describe preventive measures and treatments for ajirna to ensure safe mercurial medication.

30) Silver:
Silver, when combined with mercury in Rasasastra, is used to alleviate pitta rogas (pitta-related diseases). The combination represents one of the several therapeutic metal-mercury pairings in Ayurvedic medicine.

31) Animal:
Animal experimentation in Rasasastra involves using goats to test the efficacy of mercurial drugs. These experiments help validate the therapeutic claims and safety measures associated with mercury-based treatments.

32) Dhuma:
Dhuma gati refers to the loss of mercury in the form of vapor during heating processes. Controlling dhuma gati is essential for preserving mercury during purification and preparation phases in Rasasastra.

33) Varna:
Varna refers to the color attribute of mercury types in Rasasastra. Different types of mercury are identified by their color, such as red, grey, white, etc., which correlates with their specific therapeutic properties.

34) India:
India is significant in the context of this discussion as it is a country that practices Ayurveda and has signed the Minamata Convention, which affects the use of mercury in traditional medicine.

35) Rasa (Rasha):
Rasa refers to one type of mercury described as red in color and devoid of impurities. This type is considered rejuvenative and is used extensively in various Ayurvedic formulations.

36) Jiva:
Jiva gati describes the volatile nature of mercury leading to its loss as it disperses invisibly. Measures like mantra (sacred chanting) and dhyana (meditation) are suggested to control this characteristic during processing.

37) Mala:
Mala gati refers to the wastage of mercury along with impurities or doshas during purification processes. Efficient techniques are needed to minimize this type of loss to retain mercury's therapeutic value.

38) Shiva (Siva):
[see source text or glossary: Siva]

39) Burning sensation:
Burning sensation or daaha can occur as a side effect of consuming certain metal and mineral medications but is generally absent with properly purified mercurial preparations, marking a distinction in ancient therapeutics.

40) Artificial gold:
Artificial gold, mentioned in relation to mercury's properties and alchemy, refers to the modern-day scientific methods of synthesizing gold from mercury, though at a costlier and radioactive result compared to natural gold.

41) Human life:
Human life accomplishments are related to mercury's described properties in Rasasastra. Mercury is believed to help achieve longevity, health, and even salvation, making it unparalleled among medicinal substances.

42) Human body:
Mercury is claimed to impart glory to the human body by eradicating old age signs and promoting vitality. Its rejuvenative (Rasayana) properties make it highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine for enhancing bodily functions.

43) Tridoshahara (Tridosahara, Tridosha-hara):
Tridoshahara signifies mercury's ability to alleviate all three doshas (vata, pitta, kapha) due to its unique properties. This makes it versatile and highly effective in the treatment of various conditions in Ayurveda.

44) Metallurgy:
Metallurgy in Rasasastra goes beyond medicinal formulations and explores alchemical and metallurgical processes to convert lower metals into noble ones, demonstrating advanced ancient knowledge and applications in medicine.

45) Pittaroga (Pitta-roga):
Pitta-roga refers to diseases caused by an imbalance in the pitta dosha. In Rasasastra, combinations like mercury and silver are specifically used to treat such conditions, showcasing targeted therapeutic interventions.

46) Kaphavata (Kapha-vata):
Kapha-vata roga hara refers to the treatment of diseases involving kapha and vata dosha imbalances using specific combinations like mercury and copper. Each metal-mercury pairing has targeted disease-curing properties.

47) Butter milk (Buttermilk):
Buttermilk preparations are listed among the Apathya (unwholesome) foods to be avoided during mercurial medication, as they might interfere with the therapeutic effects and cause complications.

48) Meditation:
Meditation or dhyana is mentioned in Rasasastra to control the Jiva gati (volatile nature) of mercury during its purification. Mantras and meditation help stabilize mercury to prevent loss during processing.

49) Dhatuvada (Dhatu-vada):
Dhatuvada refers to alchemy in Rasasastra, where mercury is used to convert base metals like lead, tin, and iron into noble metals like gold and silver, demonstrating its transformational properties.

50) Nirgandha (Nir-gandha, Nirgamdha):
Nirgandha is a type of mercury processing without the use of sulfur, part of the Murchana process, intended to make mercury therapeutically safe by removing its toxic properties through other means.

51) Vataroga (Vata-roga):
Vata-roga refers to diseases related to vata dosha imbalance. Specific mercury-metal combinations like mercury and copper target kapha-vata disorders, addressing the complexities of doshic diseases in Ayurvedic treatment.

52) Kankushtha (Kankustha, Kamkushtha):
Kankushta or mysore gambose is suggested for intake or external application to prevent Ajirna (indigestion) when taking mercurial medications. It is one of the precautions cited in classical texts for safe usage.

53) Knowledge:
Knowledge in handling mercury and understanding Rasasastra is crucial to render desired therapeutic outcomes. Sufficient knowledge helps practitioners achieve safe and effective use of mercury in treatments.

54) Salvation:
Salvation in the context of Rasasastra emphasizes mercury's unique properties believed to lead not just to physical health but also spiritual wellbeing and ultimately moksha (liberation or salvation).

55) Tridosha (Tridosa, Tri-dosha):
Tridosha in Ayurveda comprises vata, pitta, and kapha, which must be balanced for health. Mercury's quality as Tridoshahara indicates its ability to balance these doshas, demonstrating its holistic medicinal properties.

56) Niyamana:
Niyamana is a stabilizing process used to control the Dhuma gati (loss of mercury as vapor). This process is key in maintaining mercury's integrity during thermal treatments and ensuring its safe medicinal preparation.

57) Triphala (Tri-phala):
Triphala, a combination of three fruits, is used along with ghee and honey to prepare nasya (inhalation) the night before taking mercurial medication. This combination aims to prevent complications and enhance therapeutic effects.

58) Nirdhuma (Nir-dhuma):
Nirdhuma, one of the classifications of Murchana, indicates a fumeless process akin to making Kajjali. It points to a type of mercury processing that avoids the release of fumes, making it safer and more controlled.

59) Sahapana:
Sahapana involves drugs taken along with mercury medication to enhance its efficacy or counteract side effects. These adjunct medicines are crucial in optimizing the therapeutic impact of mercury preparations.

60) Shadrasa (Sadrasa, Sad-rasa):
Shadrasa characterizes mercury's possession of six tastes, making it capable of alleviating all three doshas (tridoshahara), thus highlighting its multifaceted therapeutic potential in Ayurvedic practice.

61) Cantika:
[see source text or glossary: Chandika]

62) Abhraka:
Abhraka, or mica, is used in the Jarana process of mercury. It plays a significant role in stabilizing and transforming mercury, ensuring it retains its potency and safety for medicinal applications.

63) Kajjali:
Kajjali is a specific preparation involving the combination of mercury and sulfur without releasing fumes (Nirdhuma). It is a well-known therapeutic form of mercury in Rasasastra with enhanced medicinal properties.

64) Prakopa:
Prakopa or dosha prakopa signifies the aggravation of doshas due to certain medications or foods. Plant-origin drugs might cause such issues, whereas properly prepared mercury medications are typically free from such aggravations.

65) Tambula:
Tambula (Piperbetle Linn.) is recommended to prevent constipation during mercurial medication. The specific dietary advice helps manage side effects and supports the digestive process needed for mercurial treatments.

66) Snigdha:
Snigdha refers to the unctuous quality of purified mercury. Alongside being Tridoshahara and Rasayana (rejuvenative), mercury's snigdha property contributes to its therapeutic effectiveness in Ayurvedic medicine.

67) Anupana:
Anupana are the substances taken after administering mercury-based medications to aid their absorption and effect. They ensure the proper integration of mercury's therapeutic qualities in the body.

68) Capala:
Chapala describes mercury's elusive and quick-moving nature. In Rasasastra, controlling seen as central to utilizing it effectively in both medicinal and alchemical practices.

69) Mantra (Mamtra):
Mantra, or sacred chanting, is used to control mercury's Jiva gati (volatile nature) during purification processes. This spiritual approach is intended to stabilize mercury and prevent loss during preparation.

70) Yantra (Yamtra):
Yantra refers to the various instruments used in Rasasastra for processing and purifying mercury. These devices are crucial for executing the complex procedures that make mercury safe and effective for medicinal use.

71) Ruksha (Ruksa):
Ruksha indicates roughness, a property attributed to Rasendra type of mercury which is grey in color. This specific quality is considered in determining the therapeutic applications in Ayurvedic medicine.

72) Dhyana:
Dhyana, or meditation, is suggested to stabilize the Jiva gati (volatility) of mercury. Along with mantras, this practice supports the safe handling and effective processing of mercury in Ayurvedic alchemy.

73) Dipana:
Dipana refers to mercury's ability as an appetizer, promoting digestion. This quality makes mercurial preparations effective in enhancing digestive fire and overall metabolism in Ayurvedic treatments.

74) Stanya:
Stanya or mother's milk is advised against being taken with mercurial preparations containing gold. Specific dietary and intake guidelines help prevent adverse interactions and ensure safe treatments.

75) Pathya:
Pathya refers to the wholesome foods and practices recommended during mercury-based treatments in Rasasastra. Following these guidelines is key to avoiding complications and ensuring therapeutic success.

[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 110]