COMPARATIVE PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ELEMENTAL EVALUATION OF NATURAL PAVAZHAM (CORALLIUM RUBRUM) AND VAIPPU PAVAZHAM (SYNTHETIC CORAL) PREPARED AS PER SIDDHA LITERATURE
Dr. Raguraman N.*, Dr. Antony Duraichi R., Dr. Essakkypandian G.
ABSTRACT
Background: Pavazham (Coral) is an important marine mineral drug used in Siddha medicine for treating respiratory, febrile, and degenerative disorders. Due to ecological restrictions and legal bans on coral harvesting, availability of natural coral has become limited. Siddha literature describes Vaippu Murai, a traditional synthetic substitution method for rare drugs. Aim: To prepare Vaippu Pavazham as per classical Siddha text and to compare its physicochemical and elemental composition with natural Pavazham. Materials and Methods: Vaippu Pavazham was prepared following the procedure described in Agasthiyar Vadha Sowmiyam. Organoleptic evaluation, pH analysis, and elemental profiling using ICP-OES were performed for both natural and synthetic samples. Results: Both samples exhibited similar organoleptic features and slightly alkaline pH (7.1–8.1). Elemental analysis revealed comparable mineral profiles, with calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium as dominant elements. Heavy metals were within permissible limits. Conclusion: Vaippu Pavazham shows physicochemical and elemental equivalence to natural coral, supporting its use as a safe and effective substitute. Further pharmacological and toxicological studies are recommended.
Keywords: Pavazham, Vaippu Murai, Siddha medicine, Synthetic coral, ICP-OES.
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