Anjana: Shodhana, Marana, Dosage, Qualities, Uses in Rasashastra

The medicine used to apply over eyes is called Anjana. The practice of using collyrium is very ancient. It was done both by males and females.  But nowadays, the practice is seen more commonly  in females, for cosmetic benefits. 
The Anjana is used for three purposes.

1. Cosmetic
2. Therapeutic
3. Therapeutic & cosmetic.

Rasa texts have explained five types of Anjana –

1. Souviranjana
2. Rasanjana
3. Srotanjana
4. Pushpanjana
5. neelanjana

Common shodhana Procedure

अञ्जनानि विशुध्यन्ति भृङ्गराजनिजद्रवै: । (र.र.स.)
añjanāni viśudhyanti bhṛṅgarājanijadravai: | (ra.ra.sa.)

All Anjanasa get purified by Bhringaraja swarasa bhavana for five times.

Sauveeranjana

Synonyms

Suveeraka, Krushnanjana, Souveera, Suveeraja.

Introduction

It is ash coloured on its surface, upon breaking, it is very shining. It is multilayered, and hard substance. It is a compound of Lead and sulphur.

Availability

In the banks of river Suveera and in Assam.

Qualities

Cold potency, mitigages Raktapitta, toxic effects, Hikka and also acts as Vrana shodhana.  
Read more about Vrana Chikitsa according to Charaka

Shodhana

By one of the following methods.

1. Triturated with Triphala kwatha for seven days and dried.
2. Five bhavanas with Bhringaraka swarasa.
3. Jambeeri Nimbu swarasa bhavana is done followed by washing.

Dosage

½ – 1 ratti (62.5 mg to 125 mg) per day in divided doses

Rasanjana

Synonyms

Rasaagraja, Agnisara, Rasodbhava, Balabhaishajya, Darvikwathabhava, Tarkshya shaila, Krutaka, Rasagarbha.

Introduction

It is a controversial drug. But many opine that it is the solidified Daruharidra kwatha.

Qualities

It is antitoxic, useful in oral disorders, Shwasa, Hikka, improves skin complexion, Vatarakta and Raktapitta.

Shodhana

By one of the following methods.

1. 5 Bhavanasa with Bhringaraja Swarasa
2. Bhavana with Suryavartadi yoga (Suryavartaka, Kadali, vandya, Koshataki, Devadali, Shigru, Pippali, Kakamachi).

Dose

½ – 1 ratti (62.5 mg to 125 mg) per day in divided doses

Srotanjana – Stibnite

Synonyms

Srotoja, Kapotanjana, Yamuneya, Yamuna, Neelanjana.

Introduction

Chemical formula – Sb2S3

Its inner broken surfaces are blue in colour. Its shape is similar to an ant hill. It is a chemical combination of lead and sulphur.

Availability

Jammu, Bihar, Mysore, Andhra, Nepal, Barma, Pakistan, Afghanistan

Qualities

It is cold in potency, unctuous, sweet, lekhana. Useful in Hikka, Toxicity, Chardi, Kaphapitta disorders, and blood related diseases.

Shodhana

By one of the following methods –

1. Triphalakwatha bhavana for seven times.
2. Bhringaraja swarasa Bhavana for five times.

Dose

½ – 1 ratti (62.5 mg to 125 mg) per day in divided doses

Pushpanjana

Synonyms

Reetipushpaka, reetija, Kausthubha, Pushpaketu, Kusumanjana.

Introduction

When Brass is melted zinc melts and reacts with oxygen to form a white powder – Zinc oxide. (ZnO) this is called Pushpanjana. Nowadays, Zinc is heated in an iron vessel in open air, to get white coloured Zinc oxide, which is used as Pushpanjana.

Qualities

It is Unctuous, cold in potency. Useful in all Netraroga, Jwara, Hikka, induces strength and detoxifies.

Shodhana

5 bhavanas with Bhringaraja swarasa.

Dosage

½ – 1 Ratti.

Neelanjana – Galena

Synonyms 

Lohamardavakaaraka, Suvarnaghna,  Varisambhava, Shakrabhumija, Kapota.

Introduction

It is heavy, blue in colour, its powder is black in colour. Commercially, srotanjana is sold as a substitute to Neelanjana. It is a comination of lead and sulphur. (PbS).

Availability

Bihar, Kashmir, Orissa, Punjab, Madras, Madhyapradesh, Burma.

Qualities

Guru, Snigdha, good for eyes, Tridsohanashaka, Rasayana, used in Swarna marana, and strengthens Dhatus.

Shodhana

5 bhavanas with Bhringaraja swarasa.

Read more about Shodhana Procedure here

Dosage

½ – 1 Ratti (62.5 mg to 125 mg) per day in divided doses

Satwapatana of Anjanas

1. Anjana is added with 1/8^th part of madnura, Guda, Guggulu and ghrita, a mass is formed, dried, kept in Musha, and subjected to intense fire to get Satwa.
2. Souveeranjana and TeekshnaLoha are triturated with each other, kept in Musha, subjected to intense fire to get Nagasatwa.