Bhasma’s are one of the exceptional preparations therapeutically used in Ayurveda and have been used as effective drugs for centuries without any noticeable hazardous effects. Minerals, metals and poisonous herbs are used in Ayurvedic medicine after several processing. Hartala (orpiment) Bhasma (incinerated powder of Arsenic) is one such preparation containing Arsenic as a main ingredient. In present study, critical review of Ayurvedic literature regarding Hartala is described in detail. Several classical texts of Rasa Shastra are reviewed in an attempt to provide the detailed description about Hartala like its Praptisthan (Occurrence), Prayaya (Synonyms), Vargikaran (Classification), Karma (Pharmacological properties), Ashuddha Hartala Dosha, its prativisha (antidote), Shodhana (Purification), Marana (Incineration), Matra (Therapeutic dose), Chikitisiya Prayog (Therapeutic indications), Satvapatana (Extraction), artificial methods of Hartala preparation. It is used only in purified and detoxified condition for the therapeutic purposes as internal as well as external medicine.

Introduction: Ayurvedic dosage forms hold a unique place in pharmaceutics and therapeutics. Sneha Kalpana is a group of products of medicated taila and ghee. Murchana is the first step towards any Sneha paka process. It is a special pharmaceutical procedure before subjecting the drugs to Sneha Paka. For the Preliminary treatment of ghrita (Refining of ghrita) six herbal drugs are added to it. These herbal drugs are: Haritki (Terminalia chebula), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Matulunga (Citrus medica). Main aim of Sneha Murchana is to remove - Durgandha (Bad odor), Amadhosha (Unrefined ghee), Ugrata (Sharpness). Ghrita (Cow’s ghee) is a potent ingredient capable of promoting memory, intellect, power of digestion, semen levels and Ojas (ojas is an essence present in every dhatu (tissue) and is responsible for the strength, vitality and immunity of the body.) Various studies have proved immunostimulant activity of Cow’s ghee. It can be a possibility that this preliminary refining Murchana process of ghrita might increase the immunostimulant potential of ghee. This review article focusses on the immunomodulatory potential of the herbs added during Murchana process. Material and Method: Literature related to six Murchana herbs have been referred from various ayurvedic texts, modern medical books, research papers and journals. Phytoconstituents of Murchana dravyas and anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect of Murchana dravyas have been compiled from various sources. Result and Discussion: Various studies have proven anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, immunomodulatory effect of these six Murchana herbs. Hence it can be concluded that along with other benefits refining ‘Murchana’ process of ghrita might increase the immunostimulant potential of ghee.