Elemental Detection of Zinc in Ayurvedic Drug (Jasad Bhasma) by Radioisotope induced Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Technique

Many minerals have been successfully used in Ayurvedic therapy. These minerals are processed appropriately prior to its use. Such products may also be used in combination with herbs. These products are often a blend of trace elements. The various procedures are mentioned in Ayurvedic text for the manufacture of the same preparation. In the present study nine preparations of Jasad Bhasma along with zinc oxide were analyzed for their trace element composition using Am241 radioisotope source induced X-ray Fluorescence. Jasad Bhasma preparations prepared using different processes showed significant levels of Zn (22% to 48% respectively. The other trace elements were also detected at significant level in these preparations. It is concluded that a uniform procedure need to be adopted to bring uniformity in the quality of Ayurvedic drugs.