PITTALA AND ITS FORMULATIONS: A REVIEW

Pittala is a metallic alloy known as Brass worldwide typically comprised of 66% copper and 37% zinc. The Classical texts divided Loha or Dhatus into three categories i.e., Shudh Loha, Puti Loha, and Mishra Loha. Pittala is popularly categorized under Mishra Loha. As per the description available in Rasa Granthas, Pittala constitutes of Tamra (Copper) and Yashada (Zinc) in a 2:1 proportion. Pittala is processed into Bhasma through the Shodhana and Marana processes. Its ethnomedicinal use is in Raktapitta, Krimi, Kushta, and Pandu Roga. Very few literary studies on Pittala are currently available. Pittala Bhasma retains the property of both Tamra (copper) and Yashada (zinc). It has Tikta Rasa (bitter taste), and its Virya (potency) is either Ushna (hot) or Sheeta (cold), which depends on the variety of Pittala and the diversity of drugs used in the process to make Bhasma. It is also a constituent in several formulations, including Pittala Rasayana, Meghnada Rasa, Ratna Prabha Vati, Shadanana Rasa, Swarna Sindooram, and Ekadashayas Rasa. These formulations are utilized in diseases like Jwara, Keeta, Stri Roga, Snayu Roga, Urustambha, and as well as Rasayana.