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The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s26: Silajatu

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s26

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Silajatu

c4.s26.1

*Silájatu* literally means stone and lac. The term is applied to certain bituminous substances said to exude from rocks during the hot weather. It is said to be produced in the Vindhya and other mountains where iron abounds. It is a dark sticky unctuous substance resembling bdellium in appearance. It has a bitter taste and a strong smell resembling stale cow’s urine. Over platinum foil it burns with a little inflammable smoke and leaves a large quantity of ashes consisting chiefly of lime, magnesia, silica, and iron in a mixed state of proto and peroxide.*

c4.s26.2

*Silájatu* is prepared for medicinal use by being washed with cold water and then rubbed into an emulsion with its bulk of hot water or milk in an iron pot. This emulsion is exposed to the sun, when a black cream-like substance collects on its surface and; this is removed. The process is continued as long as any cream rises. If the mixture becomes too thick, hot water is added from time to time as required, but too much water should not be added at once, for then the cream will not rise to the surface. The *silájatu* thus collected is dried in the sun and preserved for use. The dregs at the bottom are thrown away. The extract of *silájatu* thus obtained is purified by being soaked in a decoction of the following plants, namely, *Shorea robusta*, (*sála*), *Buchanania latifolia* (*piála*), *Terminalia tomentosa* (*asana*) and *Acacia catechu* (*khadira*). *Silájatu* is regarded as a powerful alterative tonic and is considered specially useful in urinary diseases, diabetes, gravel, anæmia, consumption, cough, and skin diseases. The extract of *silájatu* is given in doses of six to twelve grains. In strangury or painful micturition it is given with honey or with the decoction of *Tribulus terrestris* (*gokshura*).¹ In urinary complaints it is given in combination with preparations of lead or tin. As an alterative tonic, it is used in combination with iron, as in the following called *Yogarája*.

c4.s26.3

∗ The *silajit* or alum earth of Nepal is a different article from the *silájatu* of the Sanskrit Materia Medica. The former is an article of Yunáni not Hindu Medicine.

c4.s26.4

¹ लेह्यं शुक्रविबन्धोथे शिलाजतु समाक्षिकम् । चक्रदत्तः ।

c4.s26.5

Yogarája. 1 Take of silájatu, prepared iron, iron pyrites and silver, each five parts, of the three myrobalans, ginger, black pepper and long pepper, plumbago root and báberung seeds, each one part, sugar eight parts. Powder, mix and make into a confection with honey. Dose about half a tolá. This medicine is considered a valuable alterative tonic, and is used in anæmia, jaundice, consumption, chronic fever, skin diseases, urinary diseases, piles, etc.

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