Critical Review on Hamsa Pottali Rasa-A Herbo-mineral Formulation

Introduction

The classics of Ayurveda give us a wide range of distinct formulations for various ailments which are of herbal and herbo-mineral origin. A Vaidya must determine the precise formulation to be used for the specific condition utilizing his Yukti. The sections within the Samhitha discuss illnesses and their treatments, detailing various remedies along the way. Different formulations are provided for the same ailment, tailored to its stage and symptoms, showcasing diverse approaches. It is common to encounter identical formulations across multiple texts or within the same text, albeit with slight variations in ingredients and recommended uses. Formulation selection hinges on factors such as illness, patient condition, dosha imbalance, time, ingredients, and formulation qualities. Its effectiveness is determined by ingredient’s actions, preparation method, dosage, administration route, time, and adjuvants. Therefore, it is essential to comprehend the formulations before using them for purposes or further research. One such formulation is Hamsa Pottali Rasa (HPR), which can be found in several literatures of Rasashastra and mainly indicated in Grahani. Pottali Kalpana is a Murchita Parada Yoga in which the ingredients are made into a compact and comprehensive size and shape using a different technique or processing. The common methods adopted in Pottali preparation are Gandhaka paka, Kaparda Purana, Putapaka and Bhavana methods. Most of the Pottali Yoga’s are prepared either by Gandhaka paka method or Kaparda Purana method. Very few references follow Putapaka method and Bhavana method. HPR is one such formulation which is prepared by Bhavana method. This review endeavored to undertake a thorough investigation into the numerous mentions of HPR across various sources to shed light on the intricate composition of this formulation, meticulously identifying its constituent elements. Furthermore, the review delves into the diverse therapeutic applications of HPR, aiming to provide comprehensive insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of this unique formulation. Through this process, the review can aid in enhancing our comprehension of HPR and its potential benefits in the realm of traditional medicine.

The aim of this review is to gain an insight into various references and indications of Hamsa Pottali Rasa and to understand the mode of action of Hamsa Pottali Rasa.

Methods

An extensive search was done through classical texts of Rasa shastra, published review articles, research works and dissertation works on HPR, both in print and digital media.

Four different references of HPR were available from various literatures, as given in Table 1. One research article was available regarding standardization of Hamsa Pottali. One dissertation work was done under Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS).

Hamsa Pottali Rasa I (HPR I)

Ingredients and Ratio

1. Kaparda Bhasma - 1 part

2. Trikatu Churna - 1 part

3. Shuddha Tankana - 1 part

4. Shuddha Vastanabha - 1 part

5. Shuddha Gandhaka - 1 part

6. Shuddha Parada - 1 part

7. Jambira - Bhavana Dravya

Method of Preparation

The ingredients are taken in the mentioned ratio. Shuddha Parada and Gandhaka are combined to form kajjali. To this kajjali, fine powder of remaining ingredients and Kaparda Bhasma are added and triturated with Jambira Swarasa. After complete drying, it is collected and kept in an airtight glass container.

Dose: 1 Masha (1 g); Pathya: Takra, Odana

Hamsa Pottali Rasa II (HPR II)

Ingredients and Ratio

1. Shuddha Parada - 1 Pala (96 g)

2. Shuddha Gandhaka - 1 Pala (96 g)

3. Mukta pishti - 1 Pala (96 g)

4. Shuddha Vatsanabha - 1 Pala (96 g)

5. Loha Bhasma - 1 Pala (96 g)

6. Tuttha Bhasma - 1 Pala (96 g)

7. Bhavana Dravya - Tulasi, Vishnukanta, Chitraka, Bhallataka, Karavira, Bhringaraja

8. Kaparda Bhasma - Equal to Bhasma obtained (by processing 1-7)

9. Shuddha Vatsnabha - 1/4th part of Bhasma obtained

10.  Bhavana Dravya - Jambira

Method of Preparation

Shuddha Parada and Shuddha Gandhaka are made into kajjali. To this, the ingredients 3-6 are added and triturated to get a homogenous mixture. Then it is triturated for a day in Swarasa of each of Tulasi, Vishnukanta, Chitraka, Bhallataka, Karavira and Bhringaraja. It is then rolled into a bolus, placed in a Sharava and subjected to heat. After self-cooling, the contents are collected and powdered. To the obtained Bhasma, equal part of Kaparda Bhasma and 1/4th part of Shuddha Vatsanabha powder are added and triturated with Jambira Swarasa for a day until it is completely dried and then stored in air tight container.

Dose: 1 Masha (1 g)

Hamsa Pottali Rasa III (HPR III)

Ingredients and Ratio

1. Varatika Bhasma - 1 part

2. Vanga Bhasma - 1 part

3. Parada Bhasma - 1/4th part

4. Bhavana Dravya - Nagarjuni, Shalmali

Method of Preparation

Ingredients are taken in mentioned quantity and triturated with Swarasa of Nagarjuni and Shalmali for one Yama (three hours). It is then dried and stored.

Dose: Based on Vyadhi Bala

Hamsa Pottali Rasa IV (HPR IV)

Ingredients and Ratio

1. Parada Bhasma - 1 Nishka (4 g)

2. Loha Bhasma - 2 Nishka (8 g)

3. Tuttha Bhasma - 2 Nishka (8 g)

4. Shuddha Gandhaka - ½ Karsha (6 g)

5. Muktha  Pishti - ½ Karsha (6 g)

6. Shuddha Vatsanabha - 1 Nishka (4 g)

7. Bhavana Dravya - Bringaraja, Ardraka, Tulasi, Chitraka, Haridra, Langali Kanda

Method of Preparation

All the ingredients are taken in the mentioned ratio and triturated along with bringaraja, ardraka, tulasi, chitraka, haridra and langali kanda swarasa for one day. It is then completely dried and stored in airtight container.

Dose:  1 masha (1gm)

Review on Article and Thesis Work done on Hamsa Pottali Rasa

Standardization of Hamsa Pottali (HPR III)³⁵

The study was done to standardize the preparation of HPR III, to ensure quality control and to see analytical changes by subjecting to various analytical procedures. The ingredients Parada Bhasma, Vanga Bhasma and Varatika Bhasma were triturated with Nagarjuni Swarasa and Shalmali Kwatha. In this study, instead of Bhavana, it was subjected to Gandhaka paka for six hours, as Gandhaka Paka method is most commonly used in preparation of Pottali Kalpana. Preparation was done in three batches and analyzed. The prepared samples were subjected to loss on drying, pH, total ash, acid insoluble ash, Non-Polar Solvent Extractive Test (NPST), particle size analysis by Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Micro sized particles were observed in SEM but their nanoparticles were observed in DLS analysis. The results showed presence of calcium, mercury, sulphur, arsenic, sodium and lead.

Dissertation work on Hamsa Pottali Rasa³⁶

Dissertation work titled ‘Preparation and physico chemical analysis of Hamsa Pottali Rasa and its clinical efficacy in Grahani’ was done under RGUHS in the year 2003. In this study, Hamsa Pottali Rasa as per Sharangadhara was prepared by two methods primarily Bhavana method and Gandhaka paka was tried additionally. The prepared samples were subjected to physical analysis like moisture content, ash value, acid insoluble ash and instrumental analysis like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC test showed that Hamsa Pottali Rasa prepared by Bhavana method had more constituents compared to Gandhaka paka method. Hamsa Pottali Rasa prepared by Bhavana method was taken for clinical trial on 20 patients of Grahani. 125 mg of test drug was orally administered along with 375mg Maricha Churna and Ghrita as Anupana for 21 days. Subjects were assessed for symptoms of Mala Pravruthi, Muhurb addha Muhurdrava Mala, Kukshi Shoola, Saama Mala and loss of appetite. The study showed statistically significant results in all the above-mentioned symptoms.

Discussion

Hamsa Pottali Rasa is an important formulation mentioned in the classics commonly indicated for grahani. Four different formulations having the name Hamsa Pottali Rasa have been discussed in this article - HPR I, HPR II, HPR III and HPR IV. HPR I was mentioned in six texts, HPR II and III in two texts, HPR IV in nine texts. Bharat Bhaishajya Ratnakar has mentioned three references while Rasa Yoga Sagara has mentioned two references. Authors of Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Sharangadhara Samhitha, Rasendra Chintamani and Rasa Chandamshu followed the reference of Rasendra Sara Sangraha, with slight difference in Anupana, the details of which are given in Table 1 and 2. HPR I, III and IV are prepared by the process of Bhavana while HPR II includes subjecting to Puta as one of the steps during preparation.

The ingredients and Bhavana Dravya vary in all the four references. Parada is common ingredient in all four types of HPR. Kaparda Bhasma is present in HPR I, II, III. HPR II and IV contain almost same ingredients. The difference is that Kaparda Bhasma is absent in HPR IV and they differ in Bhavana Dravya as mentioned in Table 2 and also in the method of preparation. Vatsanabha is present in HPR I, II and IV. Tankana is present only in HPR I. Vanga Bhasma is an ingredient present only in HPR III.

HPR I has Jambira as the only Bhavana Dravya while HPR II, III and IV have multiple Bhavana Dravya as mentioned in Table 2. Bhavana Dravya have importance pharmaceutically as well as therapeutically. It may help in improving the therapeutic action and potency of the formulation. The process of Bhavana helps in decreasing the particle size and thereby increases the bio availability of the formulation.

HPR I, II and IV have dose as one Masha (1 g), while for HPR III, it has been mentioned to be determined based on Vyadhi Bala. This may be because HPR III contains only Parada and no Gandhaka, hence it has to be given in lesser dose depending on the disease. HPR I, III and IV have common Anupana as Maricha. Maricha may potentiate the formulation and also acts as a bulking agent. HPR II has Madhu as the only Anupana. Madhu being yogavahi in nature may act as catalyst. Anupana helps to make a formulation palatable, acts as a vehicle providing target action, thereby increasing bio availability of the drug.

HPR predominantly has Katu, Tiktha, Kashaya and Madhura Rasa, Ushna Virya, Katu Vipaka and Gunas like Laghu, Ruksha, and Tikshna. It acts mainly on digestive system and respiratory system. All four references are indicated in Grahani. HPR II and IV are indicated in Gulma, Pandu, Karshya and Dourbalya owing to common ingredients. HPR III is indicated in Prameha, Grahani and Atisara. Vanga Bhasma is an ingredient of HPR III which is a Rasadravya, mainly indicated for Prameha and hence only this reference has an indication as Prameha.

The action of this formulation may be taken on the basis of,

Dosha - HPR is mainly Kapha Vata Shamaka in nature

Dhatu - On analyzing the indications and properties, HPR acts on Rasa, Mamsa, and Medha Dhatu

Rogamarga

Diseases in Madhyama Rogamarga - Prameha, Pandu

Diseases in Abhyantara Rogamarga - Grahani, Atisara, Gulma, Shwasa, Kasa, Hikka, Aruchi

Srotas

Pranavaha Srotas - Swasa, Kasa, Hikka

Annavaha Srotas - Atisara, Grahani, Aruchi

Udakavaha Srotas - Atisara

Rasavaha Srotas - Grahani, Sangrahani, Pandu, Gulma Mamsa Medo Vaha Srotas - Prameha, Gulma, Daourbalya, Karshya

Mutravaha Srotas - Prameha

Purishavaha Srotas - Atisara

HPR I - Tikshna Guna of Trikatu, Gandhaka and Vatsanabha helps in increasing the Agni. Anti inflammatory properties of Parada, Gandhaka and Tankana may help in reducing the inflammation of intestinal mucosa. Anti histamine properties of Kaparda may act on mast cells present in GI tract and help in reducing them. Rasayana Guna of Kaparda, Parada, Gandhaka, and Vatsanabha may help in Dhatu Poshana. Laghu, Ushna, Snighda Guna of Jambira may act on Jataragni and increase the Agni. Due to Laghu, Ruksha and Ushna Guna of the ingredients, the vitiated Vata and Kapha gets pacified and helps with the symptoms like Muhur Baddha Muhur Drava Mala Pravrutti in Grahani.

HPR II and IV – Both references have almost common ingredients and indications. In Atisara, Deepana Guna of Parada, Gandhaka, Vatsanabha and Kaparda will help in improving Agni. Pachana Guna of Gandhaka and Vatsanabha will help in Amapachana. Sheeta Veerya of Loha and Mukta may have Sthambana action in Atisara. Balya and Rasayana properties of Parada, Gandhaka, Kaparda, Vatsanabha, Loha, Tuttha and Ayushya property of Mukta will help in conditions of Karshya and Dourbalya as it does Dhatu Poshana. Presence of Loha Bhasma will help in conditions of Pandu. Ushna and Tikshna Guna of Parada, Gandhaka, Kaparda, Vatsanabha, Tuttha will do Vata Kaphahara and helps in conditions like Shwasa, Kasa, Hikka and Aruchi. Lekhana Karma of drugs like Loha, Tuttha may act on Gulma. Tikshna, Ushna Guna, Lekhana, Shothaghna Karma of the Bhavana Dravya like Tulasi, Chitraka, Bhrigaraja, Bhallataka, Karavira, Ardraka, Haridra, Langali may help in potentiating the formulation by increasing the Vata Kapha Hara Karma and pacifying conditions like Grahani, Shwasa, Kasa, and Gulma. It can be noted that drugs typically considered poisonous, such as Bhallataka, Karavira and Langali are employed for Bhavana. Their Ushna and Tikshna properties may help in Kapha Vata Hara action.

HPR III - Vanga Bhasma with its Tiktha, Kashaya Rasa, Laghu, Ruksha Guna and Medohara action will help in reducing Kleda and in turn helps in Samprapti Vighatana of Prameha. Sthambana property of Vanga and Kaparda may help to pacify Atisara.

The dissertation findings revealed that the HPR produced through the traditional Bhavana method contained a higher number of constituents according to HPLC analysis, in contrast to the HPR prepared using the Gandhaka Paka method. This suggests that the Bhavana method is more appropriate for HPR preparation.

Conclusion

Hamsa Pottali Rasa is a herbo mineral classical formulation having Grahani as most common indication along with Gulma, Atisara, Shwasa, Kasa Pandu and Prameha. Predominantly it has Rasa like Katu, Tiktha, Kashaya and Madhura, Ushna Virya, Katu Vipaka and Guna like Laghu, Ruksha, and Tikshna. It acts mainly on digestive system and respiratory system. The action of any formulation depends on Samskara, Samyoga, Vislesha, Kala, Yukti and many other factors. So, even though the name and main ingredient are almost same, the action and indication will vary.

Conflict of Interest

Nil