AKIKA (AGATE)

AKIKA (AGATE)

SYNONYMS

• Akika (अकीक)

• Sudharnava (सुधार्णव)

• Shubhra (शुभ्र)

• Gomedaka Anukara (गोमेदक अनुकर)

MINERALOGICAL IDENTIFICATION

• Cryptocrystalline variety of quartz (SiO₂ - Silicon dioxide).

• Belongs to the Chalcedony group.

• Characterized by multicolored banding and translucency.

SOURCES

• India: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan.

• International: Brazil, Uruguay, Madagascar.

TYPES

• Based on color and pattern:

  • Shweta Akika (White agate)

  • Rakta Akika (Red agate)

  • Krishna Akika (Black agate)

  • Pita Akika (Yellow agate)

GRAHYA AND AGRAHYATA

• GRAHYA:

  • Smooth, lustrous, heavy varieties.

  • Evenly colored or attractively banded stones.

• AGRAHYA:

  • Dull, cracked, excessively porous varieties.

  • Uneven or faded colored stones.

श्लोकः

गृहीत्वा चाश्मनां श्रेष्ठं दृढं स्निग्धं समाच्छदम्। वर्णयुक्तं सुपीताभं मणिप्रख्यमनेकशः॥

SHODHANA (PURIFICATION)

• Process:

  • Heating Akika until red-hot.

  • Quenching in specific media (Triphala Kwatha, cow's milk, Kanji).

• Purpose:

  • Removes external and internal impurities.

  • Enhances therapeutic qualities.

MARANA (INCINERATION)

• Process:

  • Powdering after Shodhana.

  • Bhavana with herbal juices like Aloe vera (Kumari Swarasa).

  • Pellets (Chakrikas) are made and subjected to Gajaputa heating.

• Characteristics of Marana:

  • Fine, soft, lustrous Bhasma.

  • Should float on water (Varitaratva) and pass Rekhapurnata test (fills creases of fingers).

OTHER PROCESSING TECHNIQUES

• Bhavana:

  • Trituration with herbal decoctions enhances potency.

• Puta:

  • Controlled heating cycles to achieve perfect incineration.

PROBABLE CHEMICAL REACTIONS

• High-temperature heating leads to:

  • Crystallographic changes in silica structure.

  • Partial conversion to amorphous silica.

• Removal of organic impurities and toxic elements through oxidation.

IMPORTANCE OF TEMPERATURE

• Critical in achieving proper Marana:

  • Insufficient heat → incomplete Bhasma formation.

  • Excessive heat → loss of potency, damage to the material.

• Ideal to follow traditional Puta guidelines (Gajaputa, Mahaputa).

YOGA (FORMULATIONS INVOLVING AKIKA)

• Akika Bhasma used in:

  • Cardiac tonics (Hridya Rasayana).

  • Medications for Rakta-Pitta (bleeding disorders).

  • Balya formulations (strength-promoting).

श्लोकः

हृदयस्य बलं दद्यात् रक्तपित्तविनाशनम्। अकीकं सर्वरोगेषु हृद्यानां श्रेष्ठमुच्यते॥

RESEARCH UPDATES

• Modern studies:

  • Akika exhibits biocompatibility, suggesting safe use in medicine.

  • Preliminary reports show antioxidant and cardioprotective effects.

  • Nanoparticle research: Akika Bhasma shows promise in nano-medicine applications.

• Analytical studies:

  • XRD (X-ray Diffraction): Confirms presence of crystalline silica.

  • SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy): Shows particle size reduction after Marana.

  • ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry): Ensures absence of toxic heavy metals post-processing.