Bhavana

Concept of Bhavana:

Bhavana is a unique method of wet treatment explained in Ayurveda, to enhance the property of the drug and also to remove the unwanted defects.

Rasataranagini explains to mix powdered material with the liquid and to dry it by the procedures like Trituration etc. The quantity of the liquid used must be sufficient to immerse the whole material. The procedure should be carried out till the material becomes non sticky & semisolid; then dried properly.

यच्चूर्णितस्य धात्वादेर्द्रवैः संपेष्य शोषणम्। भावनं तन्मतं विज्ञैर्भावना च निगद्यते|
रसतरन्गिनि २/४९

– Powdered material mixed with liquid and triturated till it is dried is called Bhavana.

पेशणाञ्च यद् द्रव्यं चिपिटीभूय चूर्णताम् | याति मार्दवयुक्तन्तत् सुभावितमुदाह्रुतम् ||
यत् पिष्टं सहसा दीर्णं खरस्पर्षन्नं कोमलम् | तद् दुर्भावितमित्युक्तम् भावनवेदिभिर्जनैः ||
रसतरन्गिनि टीका

– If material becomes soft semi solid after trituration and doesnt stick to pestle is considered as “Subhavit”

– If paste is still sticking to pestle and rough to touch is called improperly bhavit.

Bhaishjya Ratnavali explains to steep the material in the liquid for whole night and to dry the material next day.

The selection of the Bhavana dravya, depends on the synergistic and antagonistic action of the Bhavya and Bhavana dravya.

So the Objectives of Bhavana according to its importance:

Increasing the potency of the drug (Mainly synergistic action of Bhavya and Bhavana dravya).
Removing the defects of the Bhavya dravya (By antagonistic property of Bhavana dravya)
Impregnation of liquid material in the solid/powder.
Enhancing bio-availability by reducing particle size.

Bhavana in Khal (Heerak bhasma)

Bhavana in Edge Runner Mill (Arogyavardhani)

Bhavana in Mechanized khal (Abhrak bhasma 100 puti)