EXPLORING THE PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF MAYURCHANDRIKA BHASMA: A REVIEW OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN EVIDENCE

A traditional Ayurvedic formulation derived from peacock plumage has been historically indicated for managing emesis, hiccough, and disorders of the respiratory tract. Classical treatises like Bhaishajya Samhita and Siddhayoga Sangraha document multiple pharmaceutical methods for preparing this ash, commonly termed Mayur Piccha or Mayurchandrika Bhasma. In Ayurvedic pharmaceutics, the concept of Sanskara denotes transformative processing techniques aimed at potentiating efficacy and reducing toxicity of the raw drug. Bhasma is generally obtained from metallic or non-metallic precursors through sequential Shodhana and Marana procedures, subsequently subjected to Bhavana with herbal liquids. which incorporates herbal juices or liquid. These procedures aim to modify the raw materials and produce finely divided particles that may aid in the body's absorption and assimilation. The quality and suitability of Bhasma are assessed using various traditional Ayurvedic and Modern physicochemical evaluation methods. Mayur Piccha Bhasma has been described as having a lustrous or silky appearance with a greyish brown colour. The reported final yield of the prepared Bhasma was approximately 5 percent.