Original Article

Pharmaceutical Standardization of
Ichhabhedi Rasa- An Ayurvedic Formulation
Darshana Mehkarkar*, Bharat Rathi , Dhirajsingh Rajput2, Anita Wanjari3, Mujahid Khan4
1

Joinsysmed ID: JID18023OA Submitted Date: 06-03-2018 Approved Date: 06-04-2018

Corresponding Author: Darshana Mehkarkar, Senior research fellow, Regional Ayurveda institute for
mother and child health, Nandanvan, Nagpur (MH)
Email: dmehkarkar@gmail.com
1, 3 2, 4
Co-author (s): Professor, Assistant Professor, Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana,
MGACHRC, Salod (H), Wardh (MH)

Abstract
Background: Panchakarma is the branch of Ayurveda medicine which deals with various procedures for the
elimination of Doshas from body. It includes Snehana, Swedana, Vamana, Virechana and Raktamokshan.Out of which
Virechana procedure deals with the elimination of Pitta Dosha. Various formulations have been described in classics for
Virechna. Ichabhedi Rasa is a classical preparation commonly used for Virechana. Ichabhedi Rasa is described in
various classical texts with some variation of ingredients. It contains Shuddha Jaipal, Shuddha Gandhak, Sunthi,
Marich, Shuddha Parada and Shuddha Tankana. Jaypal is the chief ingredient of the preparation having Katu Rasa,
Ushna Virya and Katu Vipaka. It is well known for its strong purgative action. Objectives: In present work an attempt
has been made to standardize Ichabhedi Rasa. Materials and Methods: Jaypal, Gandhak, Parada, Tankana, Sunthi,
Marich was collected from local market of Wardha. Herbal raw drugs were authenticated by Dravyagunadept,
M.G.A.C.H. andR.C. Wardha. Parada, Gandhaka, Tankana were authenticated by Dattatray Ayurvediya Rasashala.
Ichabhedi Rasa was prepared as per textual reference at Dattatraya Rasashala. The organoleptic characters, the various
physico-chemical properties such as moisture content, ash values, extractive values were carried out to ascertain the
quality, purity and safety of this herbal formulation. Results: Prepared Ichbhedi Rasa analyzed for the physico-chemical
parameters which was within the pharmacopoeial standards. Conclusion: 100 gms of Ichabhedi Rasa can be yield from
the 110gms of raw drug which was within the pharmacopoeial standards.
Key words: Panchakarma, Virechana, Ichhabhedi Rasa

Introduction:
Panchakarma is a bio-cleansing regimen
comprising of five main procedures (Vamana,
Virechana, Basti and Raktamokshana) that facilitates
better bioavailability of the pharmacological therapies,
helps to bring out homeostasis of body, eliminates
disease-causing complexes from the body and checks the
recurrence and progression of diseases. For this five
folded treatment regimen there are various formulations
described in Ayurvedic texts which are herbal, animal
and mineral origin. Rasashastra texts involve several
Rasaushdhies which are very useful for Panchakarma
procedures. Advantages of Rasaushdhies described in
texts, are therapeutically effective even when
administered in a small dose (unlike Kashthaushdhi
which are generally required to be administered in a large
dose). These products are not unpalatable .Rasaushdhies
produce their therapeutic effects instantaneously.
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Ichhabhedi Rasa is basically a Rasaushadhi
commonly used for Virechana. It is described in various
classical texts with some variation of ingredients.
Ichhabhedi Rasa contains Shodhhita. Jaypal (Croton
tiglium) as a chief ingredient along with, Sunthi
(Zingiber officinale) Marich (Piper nigrum), Shodhit
Parada Shodhit Gandhak, Shodhit Tankana. Jaypal
having Katu Rasa Ushna Virya and Katu Vipaka and is
well known for its strong purgative action.
To maintain the therapeutic effect of
formulations standardization is essential which involves
the quality and purity of the ingredients standardized
methods of preparation and qualitative and quantitative
analysis of finished products. Standardization of drug
begins from the selection of crude drugs. To establish an
effective standardization system, every Ayurvedic
pharmacy should maintain a collection of crude drugs
which are properly standardized. Samples collected
from market are compared to standard quality control
parameters to check the quality and purity of crude
drugs.
In the present study an attempt has been made to
standardize the manufacturing process of Ichhabhedi
Rasa and to establish the quality assessment parameters
for the formulation.

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 Mehkarkar Darshana et. al; Pharmaceutical Standardization of Ichhabhedi Rasa
Methodology:
Ingredients like Marich, Sunthi, Jaypal, Gandhak,
Parada, and Tankana (table 1) collected from local
market of Wardha. The herbal drugs are authenticated by
Dept. of Dravyaguna, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved
College Hospital and Research Center.
Methods:
Methods for preparation of Ichhabhedi Rasa includes
following:
· Jaypal Shodhana
· Preparation of Kajjali
· Preparation of Ichhabhedi Rasa
Jaypal Shodhana:
After removing shell and seedling Jaypal is added with
purified Tankana and subjected to Swedana process for
6 hours in Dolayantra filled with cow milk[1].
Preparation of Kajjali:
Shodhita Parada was taken in Khalwayantra ,fine
powder of Shodhita Gandhaka is added and trituration
was continued until the formation of Kajjali (fine,
smooth, lusterless powder).
Preparation of Ichhabhedi Rasa:[2]
Sunthi, Marich are powdered separately and passed
through sieve no. 85 to obtain fine powder. Sunthi,
Marich and purified Tankana are taken in equal parts
with 3 parts of purified Jaypal. These are mixed with
Kajjali and properly triturated with Nimbu Swarasa
Bhavana to obtain a uniform mixture. Obtained soft
mass is rolled into Vati of 1 Ratti size. These Vati are dried
in shade and preserved in glass jar.
Analytical study:
Analytical study of Ichhabhedi Rasa was carried out in
Dattatraya Rasashala MGACH and RC Salod (H)
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Analytical parameters for finished drug were general
appearance in including size, shape, organoleptic
properties, hardness, uniformity in weight, and
disintegration time and physicochemical parameters
including loss on drying, ash value, acid insoluble ash,
water soluble extractive value, alcohol soluble
extractive value, pH.
Observations and Results:
During the preparation of Ichhabhedi Rasa the
purified mercury and Gandhak taken in a Khalwayantra
triturated vigorously to obtain a smooth, black coloured
powder called Kajjali. Other ingredients were added as
per the sequence mentioned in the reference Shloka.
In Rasendra Sara Samgraha Bhavana was not
mentioned for this formulation .After detailed literature
review from Rasatantra Sara and Siddhyog Samgraha it
was decided to triturate the above mixture with Nimbu
Swarasa Bhavana for 6 hours. After the Bhavana process
obtained mixture achieved all Subhavita Dravya
Lakshanas like, smooth, soft in texture turned to desired
shape when pressed between fingers. This mixture was
then rolled into pills. The prepared Ichhabhedi Rasa Vati
was tested for parameters for standardization of Vati. The
data of uniformity of tablet shows that 90% tablets were
within acceptable range of weight variation
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 Mehkarkar Darshana et. al; Pharmaceutical Standardization of Ichhabhedi Rasa
Discussion:
Ichhabhedi Rasa is indicated in Bhagandara,
Kushtha, Shula etc. diseases where strong purgation is
required. It contains Jaypal which is strong purgative.
Kajjali enhances purgative action due to Yogvahi nature,
this formulation overall holds Tikshnata, Vyavayi,
Vikasi, fast acting properties due to Jaypal which is
poisonous drug.
After entering into the body it causes Rakta,
Pitta and Vata Prakopa, it enhances the peristaltic
movements of intestines. The blood vessels supplying to
intestines undergoes dilation due to which the blood
circulation along with the Doshas from Madhyam Marga
and Shakha approaches towards Antahkoshtha .Here
the fluid part gets absorbed by the intestines and
yellowish, watery stools passes which ultimately leads to
Koshtha Shuddi.
There are multidimensional uses of Ichhabhedi
Rasa. In case of Shotha and Udaravyadhi Ichabhedi
Rasa helps by removing excess of fluid content which
helps in reduction of inflammation. In Kapha
predominant Kasa and Tamak Shwasa there is
accumulation of Kapha Dosha in chest which causes
obstruction to Prana vayu. Ichhabhedi Rasa by strong
purgation reduces the fluid content of Kapha Doshas
which ultimately reduces obstruction of Pranavayu
which reduces the intensity of symptoms. The
formulation with proper Anupana can be successfully
used in various conditions.
Prepared three batches of Ichhabhedi Rasa were
analyzed to establish standard parameters. The strength
of a tablet plays a very important role in its marketing and
dissolution. The mechanical strength of tablet or
granules can be determined by its hardness and through
friability test. Conventional compressed tablets that lose
less than 0.5% to 1% of weight are considered
acceptable[3].Weight variation of tablet causes variation
of active medicament which changes the bioavailability.
This may be due to causes such as variation in granule
size, poor flow, bridging, rat holing, punch variation and
poor mixing. IR tablets were found to have (mean ± SD)
128.06 mg average weight. 90% tablets were within
acceptable range of weight variation as for natural –
herbal products, ±10% range of weight variation is
acceptable. Both hardness and disintegration time
interfere with the bioavailability of drug. IR tablets was
2
found to have 1.25 kg/cm hardness and 22 min
disintegration time which was noticed with in accepted
limits[4]. Moisture content should be minimum to
prevent degradation of product. Excess of water in drug
encourage microbial growth, presence of fungi or insects
and deterioration following hydrolysis. IR contained 4%
w/w moisture showing that the tablet should be protected
from humid atmosphere by keeping silica bag in it as
climatic changes affect the tablet. The result shows that if
it would not be protected in humid atmosphere, then
water activity would be increased and it will cause
degradation of the tablet. Ash values are the criteria to
judge the identity and purity of crude drug, where total,
water soluble and acid insoluble ashes are considered. IR
contained 42.65% w/w of total ash and 0.8% w/w acid
13
insoluble ash. The result revealed that Ichhabhedi Rasa
is free from unwanted organic and inorganic compounds
and production site was good enough keeping sample
free from dust and other soil matters etc. The 24.06%w/w
of water soluble and 14.10% w/w of alcohol soluble
extractive were present in IR indicating that the drug is
having good solubility in water.
Conclusions:
Average weight gain in Ichhabhedi Rasa after
Vati preparation was 2.16 %. Value for standard
Ichhabhedi Rasa for parameters such as Ash value, Acid
insoluble ash, Alcohol soluble extractive, Water soluble
extractive, Loss on drying, pH, Hardness, Uniformity of
weight, Dissolution time and Disintegration time was
42.34 w/w, 7.33 w/w, 13.47 w/v, 23.78 w/v, 3.95 %, 8.14,
1.23 kg /cm2, 128.006 mg, 15 min and 20.66 min
respectively. Similar work on large scale preparation of
Ichhabhedi Rasa is needed to establish these findings.
References:
[1] Kashinath shastri, Rasatarangini, Motilal
Banarasidas publications, 11th ed,chapter 24/313-314,
p.705.
[2] Govindadas, Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Mishra S
(editor), Udararogadhikar 40/61-62, reprint 2007,
Choukhamba Surabharati Publication, Varanasi; p.736
[3] http://www.pharmainfo.net/friability-test, last
accessed on 25/12/2017 at 2.30 pm
[4] Gupta AK. Introduction to Pharmaceutics – I. 3rd
edition New Delhi: CBS Publishers and Distributors;
1994. p. 270.
Conflict of Interest: NIL
Source of Support: NA
Ethical Clearance: NA
Registered to: NA
Acknowledgment: NIL
How to cite the article: Mehkarkar D, Rathi B, Rajput
DS, Wanjari A, Khan M. Pharmaceutical
standardization of Ichhabhedi Rasa- An Ayurvedic
formulation. J. Ind. Sys. Med. 2018;6(1):10-13
Joinsysmed Vol.6 (1), January-March 2018