Neelam (Sapphire): Types, Qualities, Shodhana, Marana, Dosage

Neelam or Sapphire is a precius gem stone categorized under Navaratnas or group of nine gems. It is a compound of Aluminium and Oxygen with traces of Cobalt. It calms Shani graham.
Specific gravity -4
Hardness – 9.

Synonyms

Neelam, Mahaneela, Neelashma, Indraneela, neelotpala, Trunagrahi, Neelaratna, Shaniratna.

Availability

Thailand, Myanmar, Afghanistan, North America, Kashmir of India.

Types:

1. Shakraneela (Indraneela) – which is dark blue in colour, heavy. It is considered as suitable.
2. Jalaneela – which is white in colour, lighter.

Suitable characters

Blue colour, heavy, unctuous, clear, round or oval shaped, soft to touch and having shining at the center.

Unsuitable characters

रक्तार्धं विगतच्छायं रूक्षं लघु च कोमलम।
परिहेयं शौरिरत्नं मतं रत्नपरीक्षकैः ॥ (र.त. २३/९८)
raktārdhaṃ vigatacchāyaṃ rūkṣaṃ laghu ca komalama|
pariheyaṃ śauriratnaṃ mataṃ ratnaparīkṣakaiḥ || (ra.ta. 23/98)

Half of Neelam having red colour, and another half – blue, dry, light, soft are unsuitable.

Qualities

कासश्वासहरं वृष्यं त्रिदोषघ्नं सुदीपनम ।
बल्यं मेद्यं विषहरं हृद्यं चैव रसायनम ॥ (रसामृत)
श्वासकासहरं वृष्यं त्रिदोषघ्नं सुदीपनम ।
विषमज्वरदुर्नामपापघ्नं नीलमीरितम ॥ (र.र.स. ४/५३)
kāsaśvāsaharaṃ vṛṣyaṃ tridoṣaghnaṃ sudīpanama |
balyaṃ medyaṃ viṣaharaṃ hṛdyaṃ caiva rasāyanama || (rasāmṛta)
śvāsakāsaharaṃ vṛṣyaṃ tridoṣaghnaṃ sudīpanama |
viṣamajvaradurnāmapāpaghnaṃ nīlamīritama || (ra.ra.sa. 4/53)

Aphrodisiac, Tridoshaghna, useful in Kasa, Shwasa, improves strength, intelligence, Vishahara, Hrudya, rasayana.

Chemical composition – Al₂O₃
Indications of Neela pishti – Dyspnoes, cough, aphrodisiac, intermittent fever, insanity,. Improves strength, pacifies Tridosha and nourishes all the Dhatus.

Dose – 62.5 mg – 125 mg
Adjuvants – Honey and long pepper, butter and sugar candy or as per the disease.
Formulations – Raja mriganka rasa, Mani parpati rasa, Ratna bhagottara rasa.

Shodhana

Neelini swarasa swedana for 3 hours.

Marana

Neelam is added with equal part of Gandhaka, Haratala and Manashila  with Nimbuswarasa bhavana, cakes are prepared and subjected to 8 Putas of heat.

Dose

¼ Ratti – ½ Ratti (31.25 mg to 62.5 mg) in divided doses per day.

Anupana

Honey, butter or different herbs based on disease.

Important Yogas

Ratnabhagottara rasa
Navaratna rajamrugaanka rasa
Maniparpati rasa.