Last verified: April 2026

Abhrak Bhasma — Calcined Mica

अभ्रक भस्म — Abhrak (mica/muscovite) + Bhasma (calcined ash)

Abhrak Bhasma is calcined mica — one of the most valued and most complex classical Rasa Shastra preparations, requiring the highest number of processing cycles among all Bhasma preparations. Classical texts document Abhrak as simultaneously a Rasayana (rejuvenative), a respiratory herb (Kasa and Shwasa), and a general body-strengthening preparation. Its primary modern application is in compound formulations like Arogyavardhini Vati and Chandraprabha Vati.

Rasa Ratna Samucchaya 6.10

Abhrakam sarvarogaghni rasayanam — Abhrak Bhasma destroys all diseases and is a Rasayana. Among all Bhasma preparations, Abhrak has the broadest documented clinical scope and the most potent Rasayana properties. But it also requires the most processing — the Sahasraputi (1000-cycle) preparation being the ultimate standard.

Grades by processing cycles

Shataputi (100 Puta): Standard clinical grade. Sahasraputi (1000 Puta): The highest classical grade — documented as producing the finest particle size and the most pronounced Rasayana effect. The Sahasraputi preparation using traditional methods takes 2–3 years to produce. Modern manufacturers use modified processes but must document equivalent Puta processing.

Primary clinical applications

Kasa and Shwasa (Respiratory conditions): Classical texts consistently document Abhrak Bhasma for chronic respiratory conditions — particularly those with Kapha involvement (congestion, mucus production) and those that have not responded to herb-only preparations. The combination of Abhrak Bhasma with Sitopaladi Churna (classical respiratory compound) is one of the most prescribed classical respiratory formulations.

Rasayana and Brimhana (Nourishing): Abhrak Bhasma is specifically documented as Brimhana (body-building, nourishing) — unusual for a mineral preparation. It is used in conditions of tissue depletion (Dhatu Kshaya) alongside Ashwagandha Ghrita and other nourishing preparations.

Silicate chemistry of mica

Muscovite mica (KAl2(AlSi3)O10(OH)2) is an aluminosilicate mineral. After the extensive Marana calcination process, Abhrak Bhasma consists primarily of amorphous silica and alumina nano-particles. Silicon in nano-particulate form has documented biological activity — silicon is essential for collagen cross-linking, bone mineralisation, and connective tissue integrity. Research on bio-available silicon supplements (orthosilicic acid) documents similar tissue-protective effects to the classical Abhrak documentation, though direct clinical studies on Abhrak Bhasma are limited. API Part I, Vol I specifies identity tests for Abhrak Bhasma.

Quality and safety

Abhrak Bhasma's safety profile is generally considered better than mercury or arsenic-containing Bhasma due to the absence of inherently toxic metals. However, incompletely processed Abhrak (insufficient Puta count) may contain crystalline silica, which is a known pulmonary hazard. API quality tests — including XRD to confirm amorphous (not crystalline) silica — are essential. Purchase only from manufacturers with API-compliant Abhrak Bhasma with documented XRD analysis.