A Review of Sharangdhar Samhita’s Bhaishajyakalpana: An Ancient Wisdom for Modern Practice

Sharangdhar Samhita, a seminal text of medieval Ayurveda, holds a pivotal place in the evolution of Bhaishajyakalpana (the science of pharmaceutical formulations). This review explores the profound contributions of Sharangdhar Samhita to the principles, methods, and classifications of Ayurvedic drug preparation, emphasizing its continued relevance to modern pharmaceutical practice. The text systematically elaborates on dosage forms like avaleha (linctus), asava-arishta (fermented preparations), and sneha kalpana (medicated oils and ghee), highlighting its scientific approach to formulation stability, bioavailability, and patient-centric medicine. By analyzing the ancient methodologies described and correlating them with contemporary pharmaceutical concepts such as drug delivery systems and standardization, this article underscores the enduring wisdom embedded in the Samhita. The review advocates for deeper integration of Sharangdhar's principles into modern Ayurvedic pharmaceutics to enhance therapeutic efficacy, safety, and global acceptance of traditional medicine. Sharangdhar Samhita, offers profound insights into Bhaishajyakalpana (the science of pharmaceutical formulations). This review explores the enduring relevance of Sharangdhar’s methodologies, highlighting the precision in dosage forms, preparation techniques, and the rational use of adjuvants (Anupana). The text systematically categorizes medicines into practical formulations such as Kashaya (decoctions), Churna (powders), and Sneha Kalpana (medicated oils and ghee), many of which parallel modern pharmaceutical practices. By examining Sharangdhar’s principles through a contemporary lens, this study reveals how ancient wisdom can inform current trends in personalized medicine, pharmaceutics, and holistic healthcare. Emphasizing its applicability in today’s pharmacological innovations, the review advocates for a renewed integration of Sharangdhar Samhita’s practices into modern clinical and pharmaceutical contexts.