ABSTRACT
Ayurveda is one of the most powerful and sophisticated holistic healthcare systems in world. Records suggest that Ayurveda has been practiced since Vedic period (~1100 BCE). This ancient healthcare system has made use of nanotechnology, which have gained extreme popularity in recent times, to effectively treat maladies. The concept of particle reduction has been discussed in the ayurvedic scripture Charaka Samhita (1500 BCE). Bhasmas are unique metallic/mineral preparations, which are purified and treated with herbs and heated to high temperatures to obtain nanosized therapeutics. The recent improvements in visualization and characterization procedures have helped in elucidating the presence of nanoparticles 66in bhasma preparations. In this chapter, nanotechnology in the preparation and characterization of bhasma, the ayurvedic nanomedicine, is discussed.
