Eranda Taila Murchana: Special Processing Of Castor Oil

Castor oil (Erand Tel) is used as medicine and herbal oil base for many Ayurvedic medicines. In any herbal castor oil preparation, castor oil is added with herbal powder paste and liquids. This combination is boiled in mild fire till only the oil remains. Then it is filtered.

Usually, herb decoction (herbal tea) is used as the liquid in herbal oil preparation. But as per formula, on some occasions, milk, buttermilk, herbal juice extracts etc are also added to it, while cooking.
The formula is already told in traditional Ayurvedic text books and we juts follow them.
Read related: Castor Oil Benefits, Research, Side Effects, How To Use, Dose

Synonyms

Synonyms of this procedure:
Erand tel Murchana, Erandatailam Murchanam, Erand Tel Murcha.

Concept of Eranda Taila Moorchana

The text book Bhaishajya Ratnavali explains, first the castor should be subjected to Murchana process. This Murchita Eranda taila is used as base oil along with herb paste, decoction etc to prepare the final herbal oil.
The book explains that doing Murchana process on the ghee helps to improve digestibility of ghee and makes it more potent. It also adds good colour, aroma and better qualities to the oil.
Read related: Sesame Oil, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, Castor Oil – Comparison

Sanskrit verse

Ingredients

Ingredients of Eranda Taila Murchana:
Erand tail – castor oil – 1 Prasthan – 768 ml
Vikasa – Manjishta – Rubia cordifolia – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Mustaka – Musta – Cyperus rotundus – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Dhanyaka – Coridander seed – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Triphala – Amalki, Haritaki, Vibhitaki – 1 Shana – 3 grams each
Vaijayantika – Agnimantha – Premna mucronata – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Hribera – Pavonia odorata – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Vana Kharjura – date palm – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Vata Shrunga – Ficus benghalensis – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Nisha – Turmeric – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Daruharidra – Tree turmeric – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Nalika – Naluka – Hibiscus cannabinus / Nelumbo nucifera – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Bheshaja – ginger – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Ketaki – Kewda – Screw pine – Pandanus odorotissimus – 1 Shana – 3 grams
Dadhi Kanjika – curd + Kanji (fermented gruel) – 3.072 liters

Procedure

Procedure of Eranda taila Moorchanam:
Castor oil is taken in a clean wide mouthed iron vessel. Heated gently for 3 – 5 minutes, taken out of fire.
Take fine powder of herbal ingredients mentioned above. Add a little water to make paste.
Add this paste to the oil
Add curd + Kanji.
Start heating this mix till only the oil part remains. Filter. The final product obtained – is called Murchita Eranda taila (The castor oil which has undergone Murchana process).

At the end stage of heating, the regular signs of herbal oil preparation (Taila Paka Lakshana) should be observed. These signs are –
good aroma, good colour
Profuse frothing
Lack of sound when the ghee or the paste is put on fire.
Read related: Brinjal-Castor Oil Recipe For Rheumatoid Arthritis

Purpose

To give a good colour and aroma to the oil
The final product will have reddish yellow colour.
As per Bhaishajya Kalpana, castor oil is said to have ama dosha, especially if it is exposed to moisture. This means, the oil can cause indigestion on higher Doses. The author explains that if Eranda Murchana is done, then this Ama dosha (potential to weaken digestion strength) will be removed from the oil.
This oil is used as base on for all herbal oil preparation.

Practical utility

In practice:
This procedure is mentioned only in Bhaishajya Ratnavali and not in ancient Samhitas.
This method is not practiced widely. Generally castor oil is taken as base to prepare herbal oils.
Read related: Tila Taila Murchana

2 comments on “Eranda Taila Murchana: Special Processing Of Castor Oil

  • Drprathyusha

    14/03/2020 - 5:01 am

    Sir u have kept heading eranda tail murchanam…n in between mentioned sarsapa taila murchana..

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