Arka kalpana

Guided by,
Dr. Chaitra LV
Associate professor
Dept of RSBK
RAMC Presented by,
Dr. Madhuri koralli
2nd year PG scholar
Dept of RSBK
 Introduction

Panchavidha kashaya kalpana”

Vaidya Ravana in 'Arka prakash' -
Kalka, Churna, Rasa, Taila, and Arka
Detailed explanation of Arka
kalpana – Arka prakasha.
196 single drugs and 192
aushadha yogas.

11/06/2024 2
Definition
The process by which the active
constituents of drugs and volatile
oils are collected is termed as
Arka kalpana and the content
separated by this method is
called as Arka.

11/06/2024 3
HISTORICAL REVIEW
The 'Arka kalpana' was first
mentioned in 'Gada Nigraha' by
Acharya Shodhala.
We get the reference of arka
Kalpana in late samhita period.
Sahasrayoga.

11/06/2024 4
IMPORTANCE OF ARKA KALPANA
“Dravya kalpaha panchada syat
kalka
churna rasam tatha|
Tailam arka kramatgneyam
yathottaragunam priye ||” (A.P
1/46)

11/06/2024 Dr Madhuri RSBK 5

CLASSIFICATION
Classification according to
contents
Classification according to
duration of preparation
Classification according to part
used
Modern classification of
distillation process

11/06/2024 6
Classification based on contents
1)Sthira arka: drugs with non-volatile
oil.
E.g. Dashamula, Triphala etc.

2)Gandha arka: drugs having fragrance

or volatile oil.
e.g. Ajmoda etc.

3)Drava arka: liquid drugs.

E.g.-Gomutra, etc.
11/06/2024 7
Classification according to
duration of preparation
1. Nyuna: Prepared in 1 Prahar (3
hrs)

2. Madhya arka: Prepared in 2

Prahar (6 hrs)

3. Shreshta arka: Prepared in 3

Prahar(9hrs)

11/06/2024 8
Classification according to part
used
1. Pushpa arka
2. Patra arka
3. Valkala arka
4. Phala arka
5. Moola arka

11/06/2024 9
Modern classification of
distillation process
1. Simple distillation.
2. Vacuum distillation
3. Fractional distillation
4. Steam distillation
5. Destructive distillation (Dry
distillation)

11/06/2024 10
Method of Arka
preparation
Arkaprakasha explains various
method of Arka preparation
according to consistency of drug
and type of drug.

Method of preparations are same

for all the type of drug, only there
is difference in water quantity and
duration of soaking.
11/06/2024 11
 Cont.

Drug Collection

Clean & coarsely powder

Add req quantity of water for soaking

overnight

This makes drug soft and releases

essential principles easily while
boiling.
11/06/2024 12
 Cont.
Next day morning, it is poured in Arka
yantra

remaining water is added and boiled.

The vapour is condensed and collected

in a receiver.

Arka is collected and stored in airtight

container
11/06/2024 13
Based on nature of drug the
amount of water is added

1)Dry drugs
-Dry and Soft drug: 6 - 8 times of water
-Dry and Moderately hard: 8 times of water
-Dry and Hard: 10 times of water

2)Wet drugs
-Wet and soft drug: 6 times of water
-Wet and mildly hard: 8 times of water

3)Liquid drugs
Liquid Drugs are poured in Arka Yantra and Arka is
prepared.
11/06/2024 14
Apart from general method some special methods
are also mentioned by Arka prakash

11/06/2024 15
 Role of Agni in Arka
preparation
 Dhumagni  Without flames, there are huge
fumes- 1&1/2 prahara (4&1/2
 Deepagni hr)
 Flame of Dhumagni is
increased 2 to 4 times- 1
 Mandagni
prahara (3 hr)
 Flame of Deepagni is increased
 Madhyam 4 times- 1/2 prahara (1&1/2 hr)
agni  Agni in which flame is in
between deepagni and
mandagni- 1 muhurta
11/06/2024 16
 Cont.
Kharagni 5 Times to
madhyamagni, used for
all purposes – 1
muhurta (45 min)
Bhatagni
Agni in which flame
spreads all over the
bottom of the vessel till
mouth of the vessel.

11/06/2024 17
Precautions
>The beginning and last portion is
discarded as it contains only steam and
no essential principles present in it.
>The temperature applied to distillation
apparatus shouldn't be directly high as it
causes rapid vaporization.
> Medium temperature is maintained
till desired quantity of Arka is obtained.
>There are chances of bursting the
glassware if high heat is given initially.

11/06/2024 18
TEST OF ARKA (Arka
pareeksha)
Varna- clear , transparent or same
as that of the drug
Rasa- same as that of the drug
Gandha- same as that of the drug

11/06/2024 19
Storage ,Dosage & Shelf
life
Arka should be stored in airtight
glass bottles- Any Arka if kept open
and exposed to air will
lose its volatile medicinal principle.

General Dose of Arka – 12 – 24ml

Shelf life- 1- 2 years

11/06/2024 20
Research work related to
Arka Kalpana

11/06/2024 21
Details of Clinical studies
undertaken in Arkakalpana

11/06/2024 22
Details of Pharmaceutical & Analytical
studies undertaken in Arkakalpana

11/06/2024 23
Details of Experimental studies
undertaken in Arkakalpana

11/06/2024 24
Discussion
 The word Arka kalpana is
mentioned in the Arka Prakasha.
According to the few historians and
vedas it is believed that when
Mughals came to India they have
used Arka in their daily medicinal
practice and used to treat and heal
various diseases such as.
 Brahmi arka is used to treat Apasmar
and Unmada.
 Tulsi arka is used in Shwasa and Kasa.
11/06/2024 25
Conclusion
 Arka kalpana is one of the many forms of
Kalpanas and it is said to be the best method
among all.
 Arka has great potency, shelf life and
palatability.
Its shelf-life is usually 1-2 years.
 It's phytochemicals can be stored and preserved
for 1 to 2 years in their form of Arka kalpana.
 It has good absorption rate and does quick
action so it is widely used nowadays.
 Arka Kalpana came into pharmacy of Ayurveda in
late Samhita period which was found to be
significant for medicinal use.
11/06/2024 26
References
Lankapati Ravana, Arkaprakash,
edited by Dr Indradeva Tripathi
A Review on Arka Kalpana-
Review Article published in
IJPPR ,2023
ARKA KALPANA: A CONCEPTUAL
STUDY- Review article published
in World Journal of
Pharmaceutical Research, 2022
11/06/2024 27
Thank you

11/06/2024 28