Rasa Shastra and Bhasma: Herbo-Mineral Preparations and Their Risks

Urgent first

If someone has taken a mineral or metal-containing remedy and is very unwell, or a baby or young child has been given one, seek emergency care. In the US call 911, or call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222. FDA also advises talking with a health care provider or a poison center if you have used Ayurvedic products and have possible symptoms of heavy metal poisoning. [1] Bring the product and its packaging. See poisoning: what to do first.

What rasa shastra and bhasma are

Rasa shastra (also written rasashastra) is the section of Ayurvedic medicine that deals with formulations containing minerals and metals, particularly parad, which is mercury. [2] A review notes that, according to the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, the most widely used heavy metals are mercury, arsenic and lead. [3]

Bhasma is one of these preparations. It is an ash obtained through incineration, made from a starting material that goes through purification and then a reaction phase involving herbal extracts or other minerals. [4] A 2014 review dates bhasma in the Indian subcontinent to the 7th century CE and says it is widely recommended for chronic ailments. [5]

The tradition's position is that metals are used only after purification. [6] This page describes the topic for safety information. It gives no preparation steps, and these products are not something to make or use at home.

Evidence labels used here: traditional use only, preclinical, evidence of harm, insufficient evidence.

Why this is a safety issue

• Not labeled. FDA states that Ayurvedic products typically are not labeled to contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury or arsenic. [7]
• Higher rates in rasa shastra products. In the 2008 study of 193 Ayurvedic medicines bought online, 40.6% of rasa shastra products had detectable metals versus 17.1% of others, and the median mercury concentration was much higher (20,800 versus 34.5 micrograms per gram). [8] [9] Of the metal-containing products, 75% claimed good manufacturing practices. [10]
• Public health data. The New York City health department reviewed 584 remedy samples collected from 2010 to 2019 [11] and concluded that rasa shastra Ayurvedic medications can contain very high levels of lead, mercury and arsenic. [12] Adult rasa shastra users had higher average blood lead than users of other remedies. [13]
• Not only rasa shastra. Mercury was also measured in nine Ayurvedic supplements that are not rasa shastra, from 0.002 to 56 micrograms per gram. [14]

Regulator statements

• United States (FDA page, current as of 12/02/2025, read 2026-10-22). FDA says there are no FDA-approved Ayurvedic products and that Ayurvedic products marketed to prevent, treat or cure disease are illegally marketed in the US. [15] [16] It reported that an FDA laboratory found high levels of lead and mercury, and the presence of arsenic, in Rheumacare Ayurvedic Proprietary Medicine bought online, after an adverse event report of extremely elevated blood lead. [17] FDA says it adds companies to import alerts to help stop such products entering the US. [18]
• Canada (Health Canada advisory, 28 January 2019, read 2026-10-22). After the BC Centre for Disease Control informed Health Canada of a case of heavy metal toxicity, [19] laboratory testing identified lead and mercury in products from A1 Herbal Ayurvedic Clinic Ltd. in Surrey, BC. [20] Health Canada says children, pregnant women and breastfeeding women are most susceptible to the toxic effects. [21]
• India (CCRAS guideline document, read 2026-10-22). Schedule E1 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act lists poisonous substances in the Ayurvedic system. The mineral-origin entries include parada, hartala, manahashila and hingula, and rasa karpura. [22] India's own guideline test list for bhasma includes particle size, ash values and traditional checks such as lusterless, floating on water and tasteless, and in the list we read does not carry the separate lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic line that the lists for powders, tablets and oils do. [23]

What studies found, by type of evidence

A 2014 review says standardization of bhasma is necessary and that these formulations lack complete standardization by physicochemical parameters. [35] Review-literature claims that bhasma are "nanomedicines" or remove heavy metals from the body were not tested in any clinical trial we read.

Practical guidance

• Be most cautious with products that name bhasma, rasa, sindura, parad or "mineral" or "metal" preparations, and with imported products or products bought online. A label that claims good manufacturing practice does not prove a product is clean. [10]
• Ask the seller for a batch-specific independent laboratory report for lead, mercury and arsenic. If none exists, that is information.
• Do not give these products to babies or children, or use them in pregnancy or breastfeeding. FDA notes that metals in a mother's body may pass into breast milk. [36]
• Tell your doctor about any Ayurvedic product. Clinicians can order tests if heavy metal exposure is suspected. Do not start any "detox" or chelation product on your own.

Who should seek care first

Anyone with unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain, high blood pressure, tingling or weakness in the hands or feet, confusion or dizziness who uses Ayurvedic products should tell a clinician. These are symptoms FDA lists for chronic heavy metal exposure. [37]

Related pages

• Ayurvedic products: heavy metals and product quality
• Lead poisoning cases linked to Ayurvedic products
• Ayurvedic herbal preparations: the overview