Bhasma Preparation Tests

Bhasmas are the Ayurvedic mineral preparations, produced in many cases by the same pharmaceutical companies that produce herbal medicines. The bhasmas, however, require not only different ingredients but different additional herbs and and methods of preparation, done in separate rooms, with--naturally--different costs. These are the ten classical methods of testing whether or not a bhasma preparation is finished, i.e. purified. It should be noted here that pure does not mean undiluted, but rather in a form that is harmless to the body and can be assimilated by it. Though pharmaceutical companies in India and Nepal currently use chemical testing to ensure the safety of the bhasma preparations (and in Nepal, most only produce herbal preparations), these methods are still used and are widely respected.
Nepali/Sanskrit name is first, followed by literal English translation in parentheses.

1) WARITARA (Water/flooded): If the bhasma is fully prepared, it will float on the surface of water, indicating lightness.
2) REKHAPURNA (Lines/full): Indicates that the bhasma in prepared form should be fine. When taken between thumb and forefinger, the fine powder will fill the lines of the fingerprint.
3) APUNARBHAV (Unchanged): Indicates that the bhasma should retain its original form, especially color, despite mixing with other substances: the mitrapanchak or five substances; molasses, gunja, sohaga, honey, and ghee, when heated.
4) UTTANIA (Moving): A grain of rice, barley, etc. will float over the preparation like a swan on a lake.
5) NIRUJA: When prepared, bhasma heated with a silver plate will stick to it. The form will remain unchanged.
6) NISWADU (Taste): The bhasma should be completely tasteless. Sour, bitter, or sweet tones indicate incomplete preparation.
7) NISCHANDRA (Sparking): There should be no shining or sparkly particles in the bhasma; they show unchanged substance, particularly for gold, silver, and mica.
8) AWAMI (Biological): When a tiny bit of the bhasma has been put on the tip of the tongue, there should be no effect. Impure bhasma will cause nausea or vomiting.
9) AMLA (Sour): When bhasma is put with citrus juice, especially lemon, it should retain its color and original form.
10) NIRDHUM (Smokeless): Finished bhasma will not emit any smoke when put over fire, while the impure form emits smoke.

All these ten tests are carried out for each preparation. A few companies still use these classical tests, but mostly use modern testing methods now. Many of the preparations have been shown to be impure and cause kidney problems and other side effects. If any problem is found with the bhasma through these tests, the bhasma preparation process must be repeated.

Next time: the scintillating details of Chyawanprash preparation!