The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s24.2

c4.s24.2

Of the precious stones enumerated in page 14, diamond, pearls and coral only are much used in medicine. The rest are rarely used or not used at all. Diamond is purified by being enclosed within a lemon and boiled in the juice of the leaves of Agati grandiflora (vaka). It is reduced to powder in the following manner. A piece of the root of a cotton plant is beaten to a paste with the juice of some betle leaves. Both these vegetables should not be less than three years old. The diamond is enclosed within this paste and roasted in a pit of fire. The process is repeated seven times, when the stone is easily reduced to a fine powder. Another process consists in roasting the diamond enclosed in a paste made of horn-shavings, for three times in succession. Diamond thus prepared is said to be a powerful alterative tonic that improves nutrition, increases the strength and firmness of the body and removes all sorts of diseases. Dose about one grain.