History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.2

v1.c18.2

In Vedic period the metals of therapeutic importance are found mentioned, but, their compounds of therapeutic value were not seen. There is no reference of mercury also in Vedic literature. However, in the classical age of Ayurvedic medicine mercury, metals and their compounds are found referred to for external and internal uses though, to a very limited extent only. As regards the technology involved in their pharmaceutical preparation it may be said that it was in developing stage only upto the time of Aṣṭāṅga Hṛdaya (7th century A.D) and till then no significant progress could be seen.