An explicit appraisal on HINGULA: An indigenous component of Rasaushadhies

Abstract

Hingula, very well known as Cinnabar, is a chief ore of Mercury. It is available as natural ore and is also prepared artificially. While there are other ores of mercury, Hingula is considered to be the best ore, and Hingulottha Paarada is said to be equal to properties of Ashta Samskarita Paarada. An effort is made hereby to compile all the information related Hingula including its Historical aspect, origin, synonyms, classification according to different texts, artificial preparation of Hingula, Grahya Lakshana, complications caused due to Ashuddh Hingula sevan and its Chikitsa, Shodhan and Marana of Hingula, Extraction of parade from Hingula and its superiority over other types of Parada, Rasa Panchaka and Upyoga of Hingula. This paper also covers the Bio-medical counterpart of Hingula i.e. Cinnabar including its varieties, mineralogical characters and chemical properties.