PRAVALA (CORAL REEF) IN AYURVEDA

Background: According to all of the Rasashastra texts, Pravala (Coral) is one of the nine ratnas (precious stones).  Pravala is a great source of natural calcium and other trace elements, which is why it is utilized extensively in ayurvedic medicine. But Pravala has been extensively used even before the advancements in Rasa Shastra. In some era, it has been exclusively used for aesthetic purposes, in some other, it has been included as crude ingredient along with other herbal ingredients for using internally. The real application of Pravala as medicine seems to have happened between 9th and 14th century.  Objective: To critically review the presence and utilization of Pravala from Vedic period to treatises of Rasa Shastra. Materials and Methods: Present work has been reviewed and complied the description and utilization of Pravala in different contexts, the change of mode of usage as and how we read over through the course of history, starting from  Samhita Kala ( 10th Cent BC ) to Treatises of Rasa Shastra ( 9th Cent AD to 14th Cent AD). Result:  Data from the  critical  review of  different historical era has been compiled to understand the application of Pravala. Conclusion:  Although Pravala was first only appreciated for its aesthetic qualities, as time went on, its potential for therapeutic use was discovered, and by the end of the 14th century, Rasa Shastra Books has provided more information on the many preparations of Pravala as well as its uses, with its indications in the management of various ailments.