History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.s1.t4.23

v1.c18.s1.t4.23

Thus, in short it may be said that during the period of Caraka Saṃhitā six metals are known. Of these five metals except gold are said to contain some kind of malas (impurity/slag). In malas ‘Ayomala’ Maṇḍūra (Rusted iron/Iron oxide) is given much importance in therapeutics. Besides metals a few minerals were also in common use for therapeutic purposes, such as - Śilājatu, Kāsīśa, Gairika, Tuttha, Kharpara, Haritala, Manāḥsila, Kāṅkṣi, Añjana (Galena), Rasāñjana (Solid extract of Darvikvatha), Suvarṇa Makṣika and Gandhakā.