Analytical study of Shodhana Process of Guggul by using different Liquid Media

Abstract

Guggul is a plant exudate used in Ayurveda system of medicine which have high medicinal value. Guggul cannot be used directly as a medicine due to high amount of external impurities which leads to toxic effect on human body. Therefore, before using Guggul for medicinal purpose, it should be purified properly. In Ayurveda this purification process is known as Shodhana. Purification of Guggul can be done by steaming it with different liquids with the help of Dolapaka yanthra (Steaming apparatus). Aim of this study was to find out the most appropriate liquid which can be used for purification of Guggul. Here Guggul was purified with water, juice of Nirgundi leaves (Vitex negundo), Juice of Wasa leaves (Adatoda vasica) and the decoction of Triphala (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, Phyllanthus emblica) by using Dolapaka method. After purifying, organoleptic, physicochemical, phytochemicals characteristic of different Shoditha guggul were comparatively evaluated. Total Ash value and moisture content were low in Guggul purified by Tripala decoction (Total Ash value - 7.25%, Moisture content- 2.66%). High concentration of phytochemicals was present in Guggul purified by Triphala decoction and also there was no visible fungal growing three months after the purification process in Guggul purified by Thripala decoction than other types of Shoditha guggul. This preliminary study showed some evidences on proved Triphala decoction as the most appropriate liquid for purification of Guggul and should conduct further analysis to prove it.