Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Poonaga Sathu

Abstract

Traditional medicines gain its importance due to their therapeutic action, minimal adverse effects and less toxic to humans. Earthworms have been used in traditional medicine in India for at least 2300 years ago. This study mainly focuses to analyze the qualitative and quantitative analysis of Poonaga Sathu and also to analyses the presence of other elements present with it. Earthworm were cultured and collected from red sand as per Siddha literature mentioned in the book Bhogar7000 Moondram kaandam. Earthworm was purified with butter milk, dried at sunlight and then mixed it with goat dung. After that this preparations is put into calcification process. Then the ash obtained from calcification is mixed with distilled water. Filtered and this sediment is grinded in mortar and pistil with elemental mercury. Then, the borax is added to that mixture and is heated in Moosai. Mercury is evaporated and Sathu is settled in Moosai. XRD results shows that the Poonaga Sathu contains 34% of copper oxide 31% of copper dioxide and 19% of Copper nitride. ICP-OES results shows that it contains elements like 29.75ppm of Copper, 22ppm of Iron, Zinc, calcium, Sodium, potassium, Magnesium. From the above study concludes that earthworm is cultured on red sand and Copper is main compound in the extracted product. Further toxicity study and their medicinal value and further usage of Poonaga Sathu (copper) may be evaluated in future to validate the Siddhars Knowledge’s as scientific one.