title: Standard manufacturing procedure of Shadguna Balijarita Makaradhwaja.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Makaradhwaja is one of the most potent herbomineral medicines of Ayurveda. Different references for the preparation of Makaradhwaja were reported in classics. According to the proportion of sulfur (Gandhaka), three references were mentioned in classics that is, Dwiguna (2:1 = S: Hg), Triguna (3:1 = S: Hg) and Shadguna (6:1 = S: Hg). Makaradhwaja is prepared by Kupipakwa system of heating. In the preparation of Kupipakwa medicine as the ratio of sulfur to mercury increases it becomes difficult to prepare medicine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To standardize manufacturing procedure of Shadguna Balijarita Makaradhwaja (SBM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Total four batches of SBM were prepared by using electrical muffle furnace (EMF). All the involved procedures were followed as per classical guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average 13.68% yield of SBM was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SBM requires intermittent heating pattern, that is, mild heat (100-125° C) for 2.5 hrs, moderate heat (250-450° C) for 4.5 hrs and strong heat (450-600° C) for 5 hrs for 290.5 g Kajjali.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Shree Saptashrungi Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Nashik, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Sanjay B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Khedekar
authors.affiliation: Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India.
authors.forename: Pradeep Kumar
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Prajapati
keywords: Kupipakwa Rasayana; Shadguna Balijarita Makaradhwaja; mercury sulfide