Year: 2026
Type: book-review
Abstract: Rasashastra is a vital branch of Ayurveda that utilizes mercury, metals, and minerals in therapeutics. Although Sanskrit Rasashastra texts have been extensively studied, regional Ayurvedic texts, which are often in vernacular languages, have not received much attention, possibly due to language barriers and lack of available translations. Arogyaraksha Kalpadrumam is a classical work that reflects the Ayurveda and Rasashastra principles prevalent in Kerala, documenting the extensive use of rasa drugs in the regional medical practices. The chapters in the text were reviewed manually to document the different rasadravyas used. A systematic compilation of these rasadravyas, found in each chapter, done in tabular form. The review identified 421 instances of rasadravyas across 35 chapters. Shilajatu (55), Haritala (26), and Manashila (24) were the most frequently cited substances. High concentrations of these drugs were found in the treatment of twak vikaras (skin diseases) and neuropsychiatric conditions. Notably, the text incorporates regional minerals like Sahasravedhi and rare animal-origin drugs—such as rhinoceros horn—not found in classical Sanskrit texts. Furthermore, it documents specific shodhana protocols and antidotes for 18 distinct substances. Arogyaraksha Kalpadrumam reflects a robust, localized assimilation of Rasashastra principles tailored to Kerala's clinical ecosystem. Exploring such vernacular treatises is essential for preserving regional medical wisdom, preventing pharmaceutical fallacies in commercial manufacturing, and enhancing the contemporary Ayurvedic pharmacopeia.
Institution: Government of Karnataka
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7166330919