A literary review of Tamra (copper) w.s.r. to its role in Hepatomegaly

Abstract

Rasashastra is a branch of Ayurveda dealing with metal & minerals. The Rasa Aushadhi are the back bone of Ayurvedic medicine. Metal and mineral are the integral part of therapeutics in Ayurveda and Tamra is one such metal which is highly poisonous & several times more poisonous than poison itself because one poison cause only one Dosha (toxic effect) while unpurified and unreduced Tamra may have eight Dosha.[1] Which has been described as Ashtamahadosa in classical text book. but if this Tamra is well processed through all pharmaceuticals process, it can be converted into one of the best and effective medicine. Tamra Bhasma is useful in treatment in various disease condition like Udar Vyadhi, Pandu[2] etc. In this study a descriptive study of Tamra and its therapeutic potential basis which are mentioned in our classical Ayurveda textbook with special reference to its role in Hepatomegaly is studied by searching and analyzing all Ayurvedic and all modern perspective.