Gunja (Abrus precatorius Linn.) has been described under the category of Upavisha
(semi poisonous) in Ayurveda. Certain compound formulations, containing Gunja as an ingredient
like Gunjaditaila, Kanakakshiritaila, Siddharthakaghrita, Kakadanighrita, Agnigarbha Rasa,
Karpuragunja Rasa, Garudagad Rasa and Gunjagarbha Rasa are well practiced in Ayurveda.
Seeds of Gunja are frequently used and strictly recommended to be used after proper Shodhana
(processing) in presence of specified liquid media like Godugdha, Goghrita, Kanji etc. Gunja
Shodhana in this study has been carried by following the standard methods explained in Ayurvedic
Formulary of India (AFI). The study reveals that purified samples in presence of Kanji (sour
gruel) and water showed changes in physico-chemical parameters in comparison to raw drugs.
In HPTLC analysis, different Rf values were detected before and after purification indicating change
in the nature of the shodhita drugs.
Key words: Abrus precatorius Linn, Gunja, Kanji, Poisonous plants, Shodhana.
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