CRITICAL REVIEW OF RAJATA BHASMA (INCINERATED SILVER)

Background:- Rajata Bhasma (RB) is a highly regarded formulation in Rasashastra (Ayurvedic pharmaceutics) widely used for metabolic, neuromuscular and infective disorders. Despite its traditional longevity, modern biomedical safety requires systematic characterization and validation. Objective:- This critical review maps and synthesizes the existing peer-reviewed literature on the pharmaceutico-analytical methodologies, pre-clinical and clinical evaluations of Rajata Bhasma. Methods:- Academic database screening was performed to evaluate traditional processing steps (Shodhana, Marana), modern physico-chemical characterizations, and pre-clinical (toxicological and antimicrobial) and clinical studies. Results:- RB undergoes structural reduction into ultra-fine or spherical nanoparticle aggregates (ranging between 10 to 400 nm) shifting the raw silver phase predominantly into bio- compatible silver sulfide (Ag2S) and silver oxide (Ag2O) crystalline structures. Pre-clinical bio-assays validated that Rajata Bhasma showed broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and a clear non-toxic profiling onset (e.g. safe under 5 μg /ml zebrafish embryo assays). Conclusion:- The classic multi-step Bhasmikarana technique successfully converts metals into absorbable therapeutic formulation.