Review Article On Mercury Containing Compounds And Its Toxicity

Rasashastra has been using herbo-mineral metallic preparations in therapeutics since decades. Rasashastra texts does not advise single use of Mercury because of its two prime properties namely quickness & liquid state. The fine black powder obtained from trituration of mercury with metals, sulphur & other substances, without addition of any liquid substance is known as Kajjali. Most Rasashastra formulations use Kajjali as a basic ingredient. Different Khalvi Rasayana (drugs prepared in mortar & pestle) has been reviewed to identify percentage of Kajjali in single dose. Article consists of manufacturing, analysis ,therapeutics & toxicological aspect of Kajjali. Mercury is a major toxic metal.