Essay name: Alchemy in India and China
Author:
Vijaya Jayant Deshpande
Affiliation: Panjab University / Department of Chemistry
The thesis "Alchemy in India and China" explores the comparative aspects of alchemy in these two countries, focusing on chemical and protochemical formulations while addressing why modern science developed in the West rather than in India or China. It briefly touches upon internal alchemy in China and the ritualistic tantra in India.
Chapter 5 - Transmission of Alchemical and Chemical ideas
23 (of 39)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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of base metals into gold and silver, and also as elixirs
of life. A portion of this text is devoted to the
"k膩y膩-kalpa" treatment by which rejuvenation and
immortality can be achieved by dietary restrictions and
consumption of elixirs.
A large number of plants are mentioned in these
three hundred and some odd verses. The extracts of these
plants are used in the preparation of elixirs and also in
metallurgical operations which also form a substantial
part of the text.
Some of the plants mentioned in "Bogar karpam"
are also found in Sanskrit alchemical texts like
"Ras膩r峁嘺vam" and "Ras膩r峁嘺vakalpa". Sanskrit names of
these plants which are common in Sanskrit and Tamil
texts are given below, along with their scientific names.
Tamil Name
Sanskrit Name
Scientific Name
Harindari
1 Karuvelli
Citraka
2 Sem Aya Margam
3 Sem Citramulam
Rakta (or red)
Citraka
Uccata, Kakatundi
Asvagandha
Plumbago Zeylancia
Narium Odorum
Plumbago Rosea
Abrus Precatorus
Withania Somnifera
4 Kunri
5 Amukkira
6 Kadukkai
Hirda
Terminalia Chebula
7 Enkkam
Arka
Calotropis gigentea.
8 Nelli
顿丑腻迟谤颈
Phallanthus Emblica
