A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
गन्धक वटी Gandhaka Vaṭī
This formulation is classically referenced in two authoritative texts:
Rasatantrasāra
Bhaishajya Ratnavali (Agnimāndyādhikāra/Chapter on Digestive Impairment)
This is a herbo-mineral formulation. The composition as per Bhaishajya Ratnavali is based on a Pala measurement system. The ingredients are:
Mineral & Alkaline Ingredients
रस / पारद (Rasa / Pārada) - Purified Mercury (Hg) (1 Pala)
गन्धक (Gandhaka) - Purified Sulphur (S) (½ Pala)
सैन्धव लवण (Saindhava Lavaṇa) - Rock Salt (Salty taste) (3 Pala)
सौवर्चल क्षार (Sauvarcala Kṣāra) - Alkali prepared from Sauvarcala Lavaṇa (3 Pala)
Herbal Ingredients
शुण्ठी चूर्ण (Śuṇṭhī Cūrṇa) - Dry Ginger powder (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) (½ Pala)
लवङ्ग (Lavaṅga) - Clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M.Perry) (1 Pala)
मरिच (Marica) - Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) (1 Pala)
चम्पकाम्ल (Campakāmla) - (Michelia champaca L.) (2 Pala)
मूलक क्षार (Mūlaka Kṣāra) - Alkali prepared from Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) (2 Pala)
निम्बुक / जम्बीर स्वरस (Nimbuka / Jambīra Svarasa) - Fresh juice of Citrus limon (L.) Osbeck (Used as Bhāvana Dravya - triturating agent)
Primary & Classical Diagnoses (Sanskrit):
Agnimāndya: Low digestive fire.
Ajīrṇa: Indigestion.
Aruci: Anorexia, loss of taste/appetite.
Śūla: Pain, especially abdominal colic.
Kṛmi: Worm infestations.
Grahani: Malabsorption syndrome, IBS.
Āmavṛddhi: Increase of toxins (Āma) in the system.
Udāvartta: Upward movement of Vata causing distension and discomfort.
Gulma: Phantom abdominal tumor, often related to severe gaseous distension.
Scope of Application (Modern & Integrated Clinical Correlation):
Gastrointestinal Disorders: Functional dyspepsia, hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid), intestinal worm infestations, IBS with constipation, biliary dyskinesia (sluggish gallbladder), and flatulence.
Hepatobiliary Disorders: Conditions requiring stimulation of bile flow (cholagogue effect).
Metabolic & Toxic Conditions: Used as a digestive stimulant to manage conditions linked to metabolic toxins (āma).
Dosha Karma (Action on Humors): Vāta-Kapha Śamana (pacifies Vata and Kapha Doshas). Pittakara / Pitta Srāvi (increases Pitta, promotes Pitta secretion, particularly digestive enzymes and bile).
Dhātu Karma (Action on Tissues): Primarily acts on the Rasa (plasma) by purifying it from toxins (āma).
Agni Karma (Action on Metabolic Fire): Dīpana (kindles the digestive fire). Pācana (digests and burns toxins - Āma).
Srotas Karma (Action on Bodily Channels): Acts on Anna Vaha Srotas (digestive channel) and Purīṣa Vaha Srotas (colon and excretory channel) to remove blockages.
Roga Karma (Action on Diseases): Ajīrṇahara (cures indigestion). Kṛmighna (anthelmintic, destroys worms).
Lakṣaṇika Karma (Symptomatic Action): Udara Śūla Hara (alleviates abdominal pain). Mala Rodha Hara (relieves constipation). Yakṛt Srāvakara (promotes bile secretion from the liver).
| Attribute (Guṇa) | Property |
| Rasa (Taste) | Predominantly Kaṭu (Pungent), Lavana (Salty), Kṣāra (Alkaline) |
| Guṇa (Quality) | Laghu (Light), Tīkṣṇa (Sharp, Penetrating) |
| Vīrya (Potency) | Uṣṇa (Hot) |
| Vipāka (Post-Digestive Effect) | Not explicitly stated, but inferred to be Madhura (Sweet) due to the presence of sulphur, or Kaṭu (Pungent) based on overall action. |
Modern Correlate Actions: The formulation exhibits digestive stimulant, carminative, cholagogue (promotes bile flow), laxative, and anthelmintic properties. Its hot potency and sharp quality correlate with its ability to enhance metabolic and enzymatic activity.
The following company is known to manufacture this formulation as per the specified text:
Kashmir Herbal Remedies (Rasatantrasāra)
Dose: Badara Pramāṇa (size of a jujube fruit). A practical dose is 1 tablet twice daily.
Anupāna (Vehicle): Jambīra Svarasa (fresh lemon juice).
Site of Action (Karma Sthāna): Primarily acts on the gastrointestinal tract by influencing Samāna Vāta (sub-type of Vata governing digestion) and Pācaka Pitta (digestive enzymes).