Rasayana

The more general name for the Indian science of alchemy or proto-chemistry is Rasaśāstra (रसशास्त्र in Sanskrit), or "The Science of Mercury," in Nepali, Marathi, Hindi, Kannada and several other languages.

Early Indian alchemical texts discuss the use of prepared forms of mercury or cinnabar (see samskaras). However, there is also ample mention of the preparation of medical tinctures in the early science of Indian alchemy.[4]

Significant progress in alchemy was made in ancient India. An 11th-century Persian chemist and physician named Abū Rayhān Bīrūnī reported

[the Indians] have a science similar to alchemy which is quite peculiar to them. They call it Rasâyana, a word composed with rasa, i.e., gold. It means an art which is restricted to certain operations, drugs, and compound medicines, most of which are taken from plants. Its principles restore the health of those who were ill beyond hope, and give back youth to fading old age...[5]

Two famous examples were Nagarjunacharya and Nityanadhiya. Nagarjunacharya, was one of the most prominent chemists in the history of Indian alchemy. He ran many experiments in his laboratory known as the "Rasashala".[6] His book, Rasaratanakaram is a famous example of ancient Indian medicine, in which he describes the procedure of transmuting base metals like mercury, into gold. Due to his great contributions and insight in chemistry, he was appointed as chancellor in the university of Nalanda.[3] From the 14th century onwards, many materials from rasāyana and rasaśāstra were translated and integrated in the Persian texts written by Muslim scholars in South Asia.[7]

Rasayana therapy enriches rasa with nutrients to help one attain longevity, memory, intelligence, health, youthfulness, excellence of luster, complexion and voice, optimum development of physique and sense organs, mastery over phonetics, respectability and brilliance.

Puri[10] has given detailed account of Classical formulations such as Amrit Rasayana, Brahm Rasayana, Jawahar Mohra, Kamdugdha Ras, Laxami Vilas Ras, Laxman Vilas Ras, Madanoday Modak, Makrdhawaj vati, Manmath Ras, Mukta Panchamrit Rasayana, Nari Kalyan Pak, Navjeevan Ras, Navratna Ras, Navratnakalp Amrit, Panchamrit Ras, Paradi Ras, Ramchuramni Ras, Rattivalbh Pak, Shukar Amrit Vati, Smritisagar Ras, Suvarn Malini Vasant, Suvarn Vasant Malti, Swapanmehtank, Vasant Kusmakar Ras, Visha Rasaayana, Vrihda Vangeshwar Rasa.

These classical Rasayan formulas, contain a large number of ingredients, including minerals, pearl, coral and gems, and include a specially processed mercury (the word ras indicates mercury as an ingredient). Because of negative publicity and cost factor, the use of the classical rasayana formulas has declined considerably, and most of the preparations available now have herbal ingredients with a couple of mineral and animal products. The non-availability and wild life protection act has made the use of musk, amber, and parts of wild-life animals nearly impossible.

The current Rasayan formulas are based on such ingredients as amla (Emblica officinalis) which, if fresh, has high content of vitamin C, Terminalia belerica, Terminalia chebula, Shilajit, Long pepper, Black pepper, Ginger, processed Guggul, Guduchi, Ashwaganda, Shatavari and similar ingredients.

• A History of Hindu Chemistry, a two-volume book by Prafulla Chandra Ray published in 1902 and 1909
• History of metallurgy in the Indian subcontinent
• Rasashastra
• Raseśvara
• Siddha medicine

• Balasubramani, Subramani Paranthaman; Venkatasubramanian, Padma; Kukkupuni, Subrahmanya Kumar; Patwardhan, Bhushan (2011). "Plant-based Rasayana drugs from Ayurveda". Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. 17 (2): 88–94. doi:10.1007/s11655-011-0659-5. PMID 21390573. S2CID 32749917.
• Puri, H. S. (2006). Ayurvedic Minerals, Gems and Animal Products for Longevity and Rejuvenation. Delhi: India Book Store. Scientific details of all the ingredients other than herbs used as rasayana in ayurveda are given.
• Tillotson, Alan Keith; Tillotson, Nai-shing Hu; Abel, Robert Jr. (2001). The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments. Kensington press. ISBN 978-1-57566-617-4.
• Vayalil, Praveen K.; Kuttan, Girija; Kuttan, Ramadasan (2002). "Rasayanas: Evidence for the Concept of Prevention of Diseases". The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 30 (1): 155–71. doi:10.1142/S0192415X02000168. PMID 12067090.
• Winston, David; Maimes, Steven (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Healing Arts Press. Contains monographs and information on health benefits for rasayana herbs that are identified as adaptogens.