[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877) › c4.s4.27 # The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s4.27 The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s4.27 - **Language:** English ### [c4.s4.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c4.s4.27) MINERAL or inorganic medicines are generally described under five heads, namely, \*Rasa\* or mercury which forms a class by itself; \*Uparasa\* or metallic ores and earths, \*Dhátu\* or metals, \*Lavana\* or salts, and \*Ratna\* or precious stones. The metals used in Sanskrit medicine are mercury, gold, silver, copper, tin, zinc, lead, iron, bell-metal, and brass. The \*Uparasas\* used are sulphur, talc or mica, two sorts of iron pyrites called \*Svarnamákshika\* and \*Táramákshika\*, loadstone, orpiment, realgar, sulphate of copper, sulphate of iron, cinnabar, minium or red lead, sulphuret of lead, calamine (\*kharpara\*), \*Silájatu\* (a bituminous substance containing iron), alum, borax, chalk, calcined cowries and conch shells, \*Gairika\* a sort of red mountain earth or ochre, \*Kankushṭa\* a sort of mountain earth, \*Sauráshṭri\* a fragrant earth from Surat, sand, clay, etc. - [Previous: c4.s4.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c4.s4.26) - [Next: c4.s4.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c4.s4.28) - [Up: c4.s4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c4.s4) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c4.s4.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.dutt-1877.c4.s4.27) · Pramāṇa