The Evolution of Sneha Murchchhana Across The Brihatrayi: A Literary Review

Background: Sneha Murchchhana (a preliminary processing of Ghee/oils) is a vital pharmaceutical stepdetailed in late medieval Ayurvedic texts like the Bhaishajya Ratnavali to eliminate impurities(Gandhadosha, Amadosha) and enhance the shelf-life and potency of Sneha. Although Murchchhana is nowregarded as an obligatory prerequisite in the practice, its explicit description is noticeably absent in theBrihatrayi (the primary triad of Ayurvedic classics: Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and AshtangaHridaya) along with Ashtanga Samgraha.Objective: This study aims to trace the historical evolution and explore the implicit conceptual existence ofSneha Murchchhana in the Brihatrayi by analyzing the occurrence of common Murchchhana Dravya inGhrita and Taila formulations.Methods: A comprehensive literary review of the Brihatrayi and Ashtanga Samgraha was conducted.Formulations of Ghrita and Taila containing three or more than three classical Murchchhana Dravya(Triphala, Haridra, Musta, Manjishtha, Lodhra, etc.) were identified, cross-referenced, and quantified.Results: A total of 26 Ghrita formulations and 22 Taila formulations across the reviewed texts were found tonatively contain some similar herbs used in classical Murchchhana. Furthermore, terminologies likeGhritamurchchhita, Sumurchchhita, and Khajamurchchhana were identified within these ancient texts.Conclusion: Murchchhana process was not formally systematized as an independent pharmaceutical stepduring the Brihatrayi era but the persistent integration of these specific purificatory and antioxidant herbsindicates that the underlying pharmaceutical logic of Murchchhana may active and implicitly utilized.