Guṭikā - Vaṭi

General Descripition

Medicines prepared in the form of tablets or pills are known as Vaṭi and Guṭikā. These are made of one or more drugs of plant, animal or mineral origin. Guṭikā, Vataka, Modaka, Piṇḍi and Vaṭi are synonymous terms used in classics for Vaṭi.

Method of preparation

• The drugs of plant origin are dried and made into fine powders, separately. The minerals are made into bhasma or sindura, unless otherwise mentioned. In cases where pārada and gandhaka are mentioned, Kajjalī is made first and other drugs added, one by one, according to the formula. These are put into a khalva and ground to a soft paste with the prescribed fluids. When more than one liquid is mentioned for grinding, they are used in succession. When the mass is properly ground and is in a condition to be made into pills, gandha dravyas, like kasturi, karpura, which are included in the formula, are added and ground again.

• The criterion to determine the final stage of the formulation before making pills is that it should not stick to the fingers when rolled. Pills may be dried in shade or in sun as specified in the texts.

• In cases where sugar or jaggery (guda) is mentioned, pāka of these should be made on mild fire and removed from the oven. The powders of the ingredients are added to the pāka and briskly mixed. When still warm gutikas should be rolled and dried in shade.

Characteristics

• Pills containing minerals can be used for an indefinite period. Pills and vatis should not lose their original color, smell, taste and form. When sugar, salt or kṣāra is an ingredient, the pills should be kept away from moisture.

Preservation

• Pills made of plant drugs when kept in airtight containers can be used for two years.