Structural investigation of Ayurveda Lauha (Iron) Bhasma
In Ayurveda, ‘Lauha’ (Iron) Bhasma is primarily used to cure diseases related to iron deficiency in humans. It is produced from purified raw metallic iron using a combination of multi-step traditional preparation processes described in the Ayurveda literature. Here, we present the results of structu...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947623000050 |
| _version_ | 1797814412804882432 |
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| author | M.K. Tiwari Arjun Singh Ajay Khooha U.K. Goutam |
| author_facet | M.K. Tiwari Arjun Singh Ajay Khooha U.K. Goutam |
| author_sort | M.K. Tiwari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In Ayurveda, ‘Lauha’ (Iron) Bhasma is primarily used to cure diseases related to iron deficiency in humans. It is produced from purified raw metallic iron using a combination of multi-step traditional preparation processes described in the Ayurveda literature. Here, we present the results of structural investigation performed on the medicinal grade ‘Lauha’ Bhasma using various X-ray based techniques. Our results indicate that after several rounds of heating and cooling in specific conditions following the Ayurvedic preparation procedure, metallic iron eventually converts to a natural iron-oxide mineral belonging to the magnetite group. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray standing wave assisted fluorescence measurements carried out on powdered Bhasma specimen reveal that the magnetite micro-particles in the Bhasma specimen are usually present in the form of agglomerates of nano-particles. We anticipate that the Ayurvedic Lauha Bhasma has great potential for noninvasive localized target killing of cancer cells, particularly in sensitive parts of the human body such as the brain, spinal cord, and lungs, via necrosis by application of an alternating external magnetic field or photo electron generation through X-rays. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:07:24Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-724a9c5d0f974c2e8eff8aeb5385d625 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0975-9476 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:07:24Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-724a9c5d0f974c2e8eff8aeb5385d6252023-06-01T04:35:11ZengElsevierJournal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine0975-94762023-03-01142100690Structural investigation of Ayurveda Lauha (Iron) BhasmaM.K. Tiwari0Arjun Singh1Ajay Khooha2U.K. Goutam3Accelerator Physics and Synchrotrons Utilization Division, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore, 452013, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India; Corresponding author.Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi, 110058, IndiaAccelerator Physics and Synchrotrons Utilization Division, Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology, Indore, 452013, IndiaTechnical Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, IndiaIn Ayurveda, ‘Lauha’ (Iron) Bhasma is primarily used to cure diseases related to iron deficiency in humans. It is produced from purified raw metallic iron using a combination of multi-step traditional preparation processes described in the Ayurveda literature. Here, we present the results of structural investigation performed on the medicinal grade ‘Lauha’ Bhasma using various X-ray based techniques. Our results indicate that after several rounds of heating and cooling in specific conditions following the Ayurvedic preparation procedure, metallic iron eventually converts to a natural iron-oxide mineral belonging to the magnetite group. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray standing wave assisted fluorescence measurements carried out on powdered Bhasma specimen reveal that the magnetite micro-particles in the Bhasma specimen are usually present in the form of agglomerates of nano-particles. We anticipate that the Ayurvedic Lauha Bhasma has great potential for noninvasive localized target killing of cancer cells, particularly in sensitive parts of the human body such as the brain, spinal cord, and lungs, via necrosis by application of an alternating external magnetic field or photo electron generation through X-rays.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947623000050Ayurvedic BhasmaNanomaterialsX-ray fluorescenceTrace element analysisSynchrotron radiation |
| spellingShingle | M.K. Tiwari Arjun Singh Ajay Khooha U.K. Goutam Structural investigation of Ayurveda Lauha (Iron) Bhasma Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine Ayurvedic Bhasma Nanomaterials X-ray fluorescence Trace element analysis Synchrotron radiation |
| title | Structural investigation of Ayurveda Lauha (Iron) Bhasma |
| title_full | Structural investigation of Ayurveda Lauha (Iron) Bhasma |
| title_fullStr | Structural investigation of Ayurveda Lauha (Iron) Bhasma |
| title_full_unstemmed | Structural investigation of Ayurveda Lauha (Iron) Bhasma |
| title_short | Structural investigation of Ayurveda Lauha (Iron) Bhasma |
| title_sort | structural investigation of ayurveda lauha iron bhasma |
| topic | Ayurvedic Bhasma Nanomaterials X-ray fluorescence Trace element analysis Synchrotron radiation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947623000050 |
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