PURIFICATION PROCESS OF LINGAM (CINNABAR)-A COMPARATIVE PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYZES

Thanigavelan V.*, Mathukumar S. and Pitchiah Kumar M.

ABSTRACT

Natural ore Lingam (Cinnabar) is grouped under the category of Paashanams (toxicants) used in traditional Siddha medical system in formulating herbo-mineral drugs for treating chronic ailments. Siddha concept is to subject Lingam to Suddhi (detoxification) before formulating into medicines. The study deals with evaluation of quality among the two purification methods of Lingam commonly adopted among Siddha Practitioners through physicochemical characterization analyses. Lingam was purified by Erippu (Burning) and Surukku (Consolidation) methods and purified samples were analyzed and compared with unpurified. No characterization difference in physical properties was observed among the samples except in hardness and loss of weight. Raman shifts were observed among the samples revealed that purified sample done by Surukku method deviated from certain functional groups. Mercury and Sulphur contents were more reduced in purified samples of Surukku method. It is concluded that Lingam purified by Surukku method is better in quality than purified by Erippu method.

Keywords: Siddha, Lingam, Cinnabar, Purification and Quality.