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Mica, Abhrak
Mica is generally the Lapis Specularis of the Ancients; Muscovy Glass (Muscovite Mica)
Abhrak (Ayurveda)
Abrak Siyah (Unani)
Abhrak (Ayurveda)
Abrak Siyah (Unani)
Lapis Specularis
A History of Fossils, Hill, 1751
A History of Fossils, Hill, 1751
Biotite Mica
(Calcutta Unani College, Adam, 2019) |
A sample of Biotite Mica as used in Tibetan Medicine (Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, Dharamsala, India. Adam, 2006)
|
Mineralogical Name:
Biotite Mica, a ferro-magnesium silicate. K (Mg Fe)3 X(Si3AlO11) X (OH)2
Parts used:
Prepared (Bhasma of) Biotite Mica.
Because this is difficult to prepare, and most used in Bhasma (ash) form, it is best bought from a reputable Ayurvedic manufacturer.
Ayurveda uses 'Black' Mica which is the Biotite variety.
Mica is a complex mineral, the main varieties being:
1. Biotite: K(Mg,Fe2+)3(Al,Fe3+)Si3O10 (OH)2 : ‘Black’; also Golden, Brown with Iron and Magnesium
2. Lepidolite: K2Li3Al3(AlSi3O10) (OH)4 : Reddish, pink, purple in color; rich in Lithium
3. Phlogopite: KMg3(AlSi3O10) (OH)2 : Brown, or various colors; Magnesium rich
4. Muscovite: KAl3Si3O10 (OH,F)2 : ‘White’; Colorless, Silvery, White or Yellow-White; there are several varieties
5. Fuchsite: Muscovite variety; similar composition to Muscovite, but with up to 5% Cr2O3.
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral/Warm. Bitter, astringent, with a post-digestive Sweet taste
PROPERTIES:
Nature: Plates, separable
Color: black-green
Streak: black-green
Cleavage: Perfect
Fracture: Uneven
Luster: Splendent
Tenacity: Flexible
Transparency: Translucent
Hardness: 2.5–3
Specific Gravity: 2.6–3
A piece of Biotite Mica held over the outer zone of a flame will swell to almost double volume and turn from Black to Silvery.
Biotite Mica, a ferro-magnesium silicate. K (Mg Fe)3 X(Si3AlO11) X (OH)2
Parts used:
Prepared (Bhasma of) Biotite Mica.
Because this is difficult to prepare, and most used in Bhasma (ash) form, it is best bought from a reputable Ayurvedic manufacturer.
Ayurveda uses 'Black' Mica which is the Biotite variety.
Mica is a complex mineral, the main varieties being:
1. Biotite: K(Mg,Fe2+)3(Al,Fe3+)Si3O10 (OH)2 : ‘Black’; also Golden, Brown with Iron and Magnesium
2. Lepidolite: K2Li3Al3(AlSi3O10) (OH)4 : Reddish, pink, purple in color; rich in Lithium
3. Phlogopite: KMg3(AlSi3O10) (OH)2 : Brown, or various colors; Magnesium rich
4. Muscovite: KAl3Si3O10 (OH,F)2 : ‘White’; Colorless, Silvery, White or Yellow-White; there are several varieties
5. Fuchsite: Muscovite variety; similar composition to Muscovite, but with up to 5% Cr2O3.
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral/Warm. Bitter, astringent, with a post-digestive Sweet taste
PROPERTIES:
Nature: Plates, separable
Color: black-green
Streak: black-green
Cleavage: Perfect
Fracture: Uneven
Luster: Splendent
Tenacity: Flexible
Transparency: Translucent
Hardness: 2.5–3
Specific Gravity: 2.6–3
A piece of Biotite Mica held over the outer zone of a flame will swell to almost double volume and turn from Black to Silvery.
Uses:
1. Tonifies the Kidneys, Retains the Essence:
-Sexual tonic and Aphrodisiac; Impotence, Sexual Debility, Azoospermia.
-promotes Intelligence, Longevity, Strength and Energy.
-It has been termed one of the best Rejuvenants of Ayurveda.
-Rasayana, tonifying all 7 body Tissues, including Essence.
-Diabetes
-diseases associated with Bone Marrow (Ayurveda).
-Muscovite has been used in TCM to nourish the Essence and Sperm, make the body light and promote Longevity
2. Nourishes the Yin, Clears Deficient Heat:
-chronic diseases which damage the body Yin, especially chronic Fevers such as Tuberculosis,
-chronic Hepatitis, Lupus, and emaciation from hidden causes, Cachexia.
-Avicenna used for bleeding of the Lungs, Uterus, or Anus
-more recently HIV, Epstein Barr Virus and Cancer.
-auto-immune diseases, Rheumatism, Cystic Fibrosis, Leukemia.
-promotes immune function.
-Venereal diseases including Syphilis and Gonorrhea;
3. Nourishes the Liver Yin and Blood, Settles Wind:
-Anemia (pernicious and sickle cell)
-promotes complexion, and improves the quality of the skin and hair.
-Dizziness and Tinnitus associated with Blood deficiency.
-Paralysis, Bell’s Palsy, Stroke, nervous debility and degenerative nervous conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis
-"useful for sharpening the intellect and memory". (Avicenna)
4. Benefits the Heart and Blood:
-benefits the Heart and Circulation
-used in the treatment of Heart disorders including Heart disease
-The Bhasma is said to be one of the best Heart tonics
5. Benefits the Lungs:
-Cough, Asthma, Bronchitis, Pneumonia
-chronic Lung diseases including Tuberculosis
6. Yogavahi:
-enhances the effects of the medicines it is combined with.
7. Regulates 3 Humors:
-special effect of removing any deranged humor from the body and helping to establish a balance between the 3 Humors.
8. Alchemical Use:
-used in Alchemy to help solidify Mercury.
DOSE:
Of the Bhasma: 50–125mg of the Bhasma (125mg is a standard dose), up to 375mg with honey, ghee, Triphala or Ginger juice etc.
NOTE:
Talcum and Mica are closely related minerals. Both are silicates that form in lamina sheets. Talcum is an Magnesium silicate. Mica replaces one-fourth of the silica with Aluminium, making a Magnesium-Aluminium silicate. The Aluminium bonds also contain Potassium cations in Mica.
PURIFICATION:
Mica is only used in Ayurveda after being formed into Bhasma (oxide or ashed medicine).
Before this, it requires purification.
1. Mica may be purified with a variety of substances. It is heated, then quenched 7 times in any one of the following liquids:
i. Decoction of Zizyphus mauritiana
ii. Kanji (Rice Vinegar);
iii. Cow Urine
iv. a strong decoction of Triphala (the 3 Myrobalan fruit)
v. Cow milk
vi. the juice of Eclipta alba.
vii. Lime juice.
viii. decoction of Vitex negundo leaves
Any one of these may be used to purify Mica in preparation for Bhasma.
2. Another source states that it should be quenched 7 times in either Kanji or Cow Urine, then heated a further 7 times, quenching each time in Triphala Decoction, then heated another 7 times, this time quenching in Cow Milk.
PREPARATION:
Avicenna said it can be purified by being added to a cloth bag with pebbles, The bag is shaken and the powder which falls out is collected. This, says he, can be taken with water ith Gum Arabic dissolved in.
Of the Bhasma: 50–125mg of the Bhasma (125mg is a standard dose), up to 375mg with honey, ghee, Triphala or Ginger juice etc.
NOTE:
Talcum and Mica are closely related minerals. Both are silicates that form in lamina sheets. Talcum is an Magnesium silicate. Mica replaces one-fourth of the silica with Aluminium, making a Magnesium-Aluminium silicate. The Aluminium bonds also contain Potassium cations in Mica.
PURIFICATION:
Mica is only used in Ayurveda after being formed into Bhasma (oxide or ashed medicine).
Before this, it requires purification.
1. Mica may be purified with a variety of substances. It is heated, then quenched 7 times in any one of the following liquids:
i. Decoction of Zizyphus mauritiana
ii. Kanji (Rice Vinegar);
iii. Cow Urine
iv. a strong decoction of Triphala (the 3 Myrobalan fruit)
v. Cow milk
vi. the juice of Eclipta alba.
vii. Lime juice.
viii. decoction of Vitex negundo leaves
Any one of these may be used to purify Mica in preparation for Bhasma.
2. Another source states that it should be quenched 7 times in either Kanji or Cow Urine, then heated a further 7 times, quenching each time in Triphala Decoction, then heated another 7 times, this time quenching in Cow Milk.
PREPARATION:
Avicenna said it can be purified by being added to a cloth bag with pebbles, The bag is shaken and the powder which falls out is collected. This, says he, can be taken with water ith Gum Arabic dissolved in.
Main Combinations:
1. Diabetes:
i. Mica Bhasma with Gymnema
ii. Mica Bhasma with Shilajit
iii. Mica Bhasma with Triphala, Shilajit, Iron Bhasma
Cautions:
Main Preparations used:
Main Preparations used: