Vol. 8, Issue 9 (2019)

Introduction: In Ayurveda, lavana kalpana is a dosage form in which the drugs are added to lavana (Salt) and processed with the help of fire to get the final product. There are number of such formulations found scattered in the authoritative books of Ayurveda and are indicated in different disease conditions. In general lavana kalpana are manufactured using puta, a unique way of heating the drug in closed container. Dhattura lavana is a traditional folklore medicine used as an anti-craving drug in alcohol dependence. The method of preparation adopted in folklore practice is different from the general putapaka.

Materials and Methods: Dhattura lavana was prepared in both the methods one which is as per the folklore method named as Kwathapaka, and the other by the general method of preparation for lavana kalpana named as Putapaka. Both the samples of Dhattura lavana were analyzed for development of preliminary standards.

Results & Discussion: The yield was more and duration of preparation was less in kwathapaka method than the putapaka making it more economic. Higher loss on drying value in the analytical study is suggestive of more moisture content in the kwathapaka sample. This indicates of lesser shelf life of kwathapaka method than the putapaka method. The presence of acid insoluble matter was also noted in kwathapaka method which suggests the presence of inorganic substance in the sample. Presence of trace elements like sodium & chloride was noted in both the samples.

Conclusion: Dhattura lavana kwathapaka method is better than putapaka as it is more economic, less time consuming and more yield. Shelf life might be more in Dhattura lavana putapaka method compared to kwathapaka method.