Abstract:
This review article contributes to clarify physical and
chemical properties of termite mound clay (Humbas
meti) and potter wasp nest clay (Kumbal meti) which are
traditionally used medicaments in Sri Lanka. Clay types
enriched with cations are widely used as major mineral
ingredients in traditional pharmaceutical science of
Rasashastra (alchemy), Samhita grantha and Ayurveda
pharmacopeia. Pharmaceutical products containing
these two clay types have been used for different kind
of diseases in different types of prescriptions; specially
in Charaka Samhita for the disease named
Urusthambha and also hydrocele (Mutraja vruddhi)
and various edemas (Shotha). The main objective of this
literature review was to discuss about physical and
chemical properties of these two soil types and special
objective was elucidate whether there is a linking
between these chemical properties and curing ability.
For the data collection of this study the detailed
literature review was done on the chemistry and
scientific basis of termite mound clay, Potter wasp nest
clay and pharmaceutical applications was carried out
using published Ayurveda text books and research
articles, available from Science Direct. Research
articles showed that termite mounds are frequently
enriched with soluble salts such as ammonium nitrate,
exchangeable basic cations such as Ca2+, Mg2+ and K+
and CaCO3 compared to the adjacent topsoil.
Spectroscopic data revealed the presence of SiO2, and
Al2O3 in appreciable quantities, while Fe2O3, CaO and
MgO were in minor quantities in potter wasp nest clay.
Infrared spectral analysis showed that nest clay samples
are composite of quartz, feldspar and kaolinite. It is hard
to find local research articles about physicochemical
properties of these medicinally important clay types.
