GHRITHA MURCHANA & TAILA MURCHANA

GHRITA MURCHANA

DEFINITION

गौरवर्णं स्नेहमत्यन्तसुखस्निग्धं मदाभिपन्नं मरिचादियुक्तं गुणसम्पन्नं घृतं मुर्‍चयेत्।

• Ghritha Murchana refers to the preliminary process of processing ghee with specific herbs to detoxify and enhance its therapeutic potential.

• It removes undesirable components like Ama, Durgandha, and enhances the Samskara Anuvartana (ability to absorb qualities of other drugs).

• It improves color, odor, and shelf life of ghee.

OBJECTIVES

• Detoxification of ghee.

• Removal of Durgandha, Ama, and impurities.

• Enhancement of therapeutic efficacy.

• Better absorption of medicinal properties during Sneha Paka.

INGREDIENTS

• Triphalā, Trikatu, Mustā, Haridrā, Kalka dravya

• Water: 4 times the quantity of ghee

• Ghee: base material (to be murchita)

METHOD OF PREPARATION

• Prepare Kalka of mentioned drugs.

• Add to ghee and 4 times water.

• Boil with moderate heat till Sneha Siddhi Lakshana are achieved.

SNEHA SIDDHI LAKSHANA (SIGNS OF PROPERLY PROCESSED GHEE)

सिद्धस्य लक्षणं पिण्डीतं रसेन रहितं कर्षणसहं।
नानुरञ्जनं सुस्वं गन्धयुक्तं च लिप्तम्॥

• Kalka becomes soft and rollable.

• Sneha does not show frothiness, residue, or moisture.

• Characteristic smell, color and clarity appears.

• Ghee does not stick to vessel (non-adhesive nature).

BENEFITS

• Enhances the therapeutic qualities of Ghee.

• Increases digestibility and bioavailability.

• Extends shelf life.

• Removes unwanted substances and improves acceptability.

TAILA MURCHANA

DEFINITION

तैलस्य मुर्‍चनं नाम दोषहरं गुणवर्धनम्।

• Taila Murchana is the pre-treatment of oil with specific herbal drugs to remove undesirable components and enhance therapeutic properties.

• It is performed before preparing medicated oils to improve efficacy and palatability.

OBJECTIVES

• Elimination of Ama, Durgandha, and toxicity from oil.

• Improvement in color, odor, and medicinal properties.

• To achieve better absorption of active principles during Taila Paka.

INGREDIENTS

• Triphala, Mustā, Haridrā, Kalka of Murchana dravyas

• Water: 4 times the quantity of Taila

• Base: Tila Taila (Sesame oil is most commonly used)

METHOD OF PREPARATION

• Prepare Kalka of the Murchana herbs.

• Mix Kalka, Taila, and 4 parts of water.

• Boil on mild flame till Sneha Siddhi Lakshana are observed.

SNEHA SIDDHI LAKSHANA

वर्तुलं वा दग्धं वा किञ्चिद्भूतं तु लक्षणम्।
स्नेहोऽर्थवः सुसूक्ष्मः स्यात् सौम्यगन्धः सुखस्पर्शः॥

• Oil becomes light, clear, and free of froth.

• Kalka becomes soft, non-sticky, and uniform.

• Taila emits pleasant aroma and does not foam.

• Easily washable from fingers and vessel.

BENEFITS

• Enhances potency of oil in formulations.

• Removes foul smell and toxic effects.

• Improves digestibility and absorption.

• Acts as better carrier (Yogavahi) for herbal actives.