REVIEW ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BHAVANA AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS

Abstract

Bhavana (wet trituration / levigation) is one of the samskaras which are helpful for the purpose
of bringing about the desired alteration in mentioned drugs. Application of bhavana process
is not confined to Shodhana (purification) and Marana (incineration) or Pishtikarana of
Aushadhi dravyas (medicinal drugs) but it is a unique pharmaceutical process in which a drug
or mixture of drugs in powdered form is triturated with sufficient quantity of liquid media
[viz. plant extractives (expressed juice, decoction etc) or animal products (urine, milk etc)]
till liquid portion gets absorbed completely. The changes made by Bhavana in nature of drug
can be preliminarily and easily perceived at pharmacognostic as well as chemical level; however
its utility will be majorly dependent on therapeutic actions. The toxic effects and unwanted
properties may be neutralized because of influence of Bhavana dravya. Therefore,
knowing of Bhavana Dravya mentioned during various Bhasma and formulation preparation
has an important role.