The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s5: Sulphur

The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s5

Language: English

Sulphur

Four varieties of sulphur are mentioned by Sanskrit writers, namely, red, yellow, white and black. Of these the red and black are not now available. The yellow variety or vitreous sulphur is called *ámlá-sár*, because its semi-transparent crystals resemble the translucent ripe fruits of the *ámalaki* (*Phyllanthus emblica*). It is preferred for internal use in combination with mercury. The white variety or ordinary roll sulphur is inferior to the yellow, and used for external application in skin diseases.

c4.s5.3

Sulphur is purified by being washed in milk. It is first dissolved in an iron ladle smeared with butter and then gradually poured into a basin of milk. When cool and solidified it is fit for use. Dose twelve to twenty-four grains with milk or other vehicle.

c4.s5.4

Sulphur is described as of bitter, astringent taste, with a peculiar strong smell. It increases bile, acts as a laxative and alterative, and is useful in skin diseases, rheumatism, consumption, enlarged spleen etc. In combination with mercury it is used in almost all diseases. The circumstance of its readily combining with and fixing metalic mercury, has led to its extensive use in combination with that metal.

c4.s5.5

In skin diseases sulphur is used both internally and externally. Internally it is given with milk or in the shape of a sulphurated butter, prepared from milk boiled with the addition of sulphur. The butter thus obtained is called *Gandha taila*, and is taken internally, and applied externally, in skin diseases.¹ Sulphur and *yavakshára* (an impure carbonate of potash), mixed with mustard oil, is applied in pityriasis psoriasis etc.² Sulphur enters into the composition of a large number of applications for skin diseases, the following is an example.

c4.s5.6

1. गन्धतैलम्। आवर्त्तमाने पयसि दत्वा गन्धकजं रजः। तज्जातदधिजं सर्पिर्गन्धतैलं वदन्ति हि। गन्धतैलं गलत्कुष्ठं हन्ति लेपाच्च भक्षणात् ॥ सन्देह-भञ्जनो ।

c4.s5.7

2. गन्धपाषाणचूर्णैर्न यवक्षारेण पेषितम् । श्धिमनाशं व्रजत्याशु कटुतैल-युतेन वा ॥

c4.s5.8

*Adityapáka taila.*¹ Take of sesamum oil four seers, madder, the three myrobalans, lac, turmeric, orpiment, realgar and sulphur equal parts, in all one seer. Mix and expose to the sun. This oil is useful in eczema, scabies etc.

c4.s5.9

¹ आदित्यपाकं तैलम्। मञ्जिष्ठा त्रिफला लाक्षा निशा शिलालगन्धकैः। चूर्णिततैलमादित्यपाकं पामाहरं परम्॥ चक्रः।

c4.s5.10

In rheumatism it is used in combination with bdellium, as in the following, called *Sinhanáda guggulu*.² Take of sulphur eight tolás, bdellium eight tolás, decoction of the three myrobalans seventy-two tolás, castor oil thirty-two tolás, mix and boil together in an iron vessel till reduced to the consistence of a confection. Dose about one drachm twice daily. It is useful in chronic rheumatism, lameness, cough, asthma, and skin diseases.

c4.s5.11

² सिंहनादगुग्गुलुः। पलत्रयं कषायस्य त्रिफलायाः सुचूर्णितम्। सौगन्धिक पलञ्चैकं कौशिकस्य पलन्तथा॥ कुडवं चित्रतैलस्य सर्व्बमादाय यत्नतः। पाचयेत् पाकविद्वैद्यः पात्रे लौहमये दृढे॥ हन्ति वातं तथा पित्तं श्लेष्मानं खञ्ज- पङ्गुताम्। श्वासं सुदुर्जयं हन्ति कासं पञ्चविधं तथा॥ कुष्ठानि वातरक्तञ्च गुल्म- प्लीहोदराणि च। आमवातं जयेदेतदपि वैद्यविवर्जितम्॥ चक्रः।