# Makaradhwaj Vati

> Makaradhwaj Vati is a rasa preparation, a herbo-mineral formulation of the rasa shastra tradition. [Ninety days repeated dose oral toxicity study of Makaradhwaja in Wistar rats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30254400/). PMID [30254400](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30254400/) · [doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_33_17](https://doi.org/10.4103/ayu.AYU_33_17) At doses of 2.7, 13.5, and 27 mg/kg/day for 90 days, no treatment-related changes were observed in body weight, feed consumption, biochemical parameters, or histopathology.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | [Makaradhwaj Vati](/herb/makaradhwaj-vati/) |

## How does it work?

- Mercury sulfide (HgS) nanoparticles act as a bioavailable mineral complex that modulates cellular metabolism; the insoluble HgS form has dramatically reduced GI absorption compared to organic or ionic mercury, explaining reduced toxicity
- Gold nanoparticles in the formulation act as immunostimulants and [Rasayana](/reference/rasayana/) agents, enhancing immune cell function and tissue regeneration
- Acts as a catalytic agent at the cellular level, potentially activating calcium channels (shown to increase sperm count in related Rasasindura studies) and modulating mitochondrial function

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- [Vajikarana](/glossary/pharmacology/#vajikarana) ([aphrodisiac](/glossary/pharmacology/#aphrodisiac)/vitality): Partially validated by Rasasindura studies showing activation of calcium channels, increased sperm count and motility, and rejuvenating effects in animal models
- Rasayana (rejuvenation) and general debility: Animal studies confirm absence of toxicity at therapeutic doses and suggest [immunomodulatory](/reference/immunomodulatory/) and metabolic-enhancing properties, consistent with traditional claims of life-enhancing effects

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Jamadagni S, Jamadagni PS, Singh RK and others 2017. [Ninety days repeated dose oral toxicity study of Makaradhwaja in Wistar rats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30254400/). *Ayu*. PMID [30254400](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30254400/) · [doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_33_17](https://doi.org/10.4103/ayu.AYU_33_17)  
  At doses of 2.7, 13.5, and 27 mg/kg/day for 90 days, no treatment-related changes were observed in body weight, feed consumption, biochemical parameters, or histopathology. NOAEL was established at 27 mg/kg and NOEL at 13.5 mg/kg. The Ayurvedic preparation method alters physicochemical properties of raw mercury rendering it significantly less harmful.
- Kumar G, Srivastava A, Sharma SK and others 2014. [Safety evaluation of mercury based Ayurvedic formulation (Sidh Makardhwaj) on brain cerebrum, liver & kidney in rats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24927349/). *The Indian journal of medical research*. PMID [24927349](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24927349/)  
  Up to five times the equivalent human dose administered for 28 days did not show any toxicological effects on rat brain cerebrum, liver, and kidney despite per-day ingested mercury being many-fold higher than EPA reference dose. The Shodhana process may modify metal properties abolishing toxicity while retaining pharmacological activity.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- 90-day repeated dose toxicity study established NOAEL at 27 mg/kg in Wistar rats, but this is animal data only - no equivalent long-term human safety study exists
- Despite containing approximately 85% mercury as HgS, the Ayurvedic preparation method appears to convert mercury to a largely insoluble and poorly absorbed sulfide form, significantly different from methylmercury or mercuric chloride in terms of toxicity
- EPA reference dose for mercury is 0.1 micrograms/kg/day; therapeutic doses of Makaradhwaj exceed this by several orders of magnitude, yet animal studies show no overt toxicity - this paradox requires further investigation
- Risk of neurological toxicity at supra-therapeutic doses; renal mercury accumulation possible with chronic use even at therapeutic doses; kidney weight increase observed at high doses in the 90-day study
- Contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, children, renal/hepatic impairment; requires physician supervision and periodic renal function monitoring

## What is it made of?

### Mineral/Elemental Profile

- **Primary component:** Mineral-derived preparation
- **Note:** Composition varies by specific preparation method

**Analytical Methods:** XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Vati

**Standard Dosage:** 30–60 mg twice daily (potent — precise dosing)

**Bioavailability:** Exceptional; gold-mercury-sulfur nanocomposite with superior tissue penetration

**Optimal Timing:** With honey, ghee, or [Chyawanprash](/formulation/chyawanprash/); morning and evening

**Standardized Extract:** Makaradhwaj — Parada (mercury) + [Gandhaka](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#gandhaka) (sulfur) + Swarna (gold) complex

**Shelf Life:** Indefinite

**Storage:** Airtight glass container; premium storage

**Marker Compounds:** Gold-mercury sulfide complex, Red mercuric sulfide (alpha-HgS), Colloidal gold

**Quality Parameters:** Gold content as specified, free mercury <1 ppm, characteristic red color (Sindura-varna), sublimation test pass

**Vehicle (Anupana):** Honey + ghee (unequal parts), [Chyawanprash](/formulation/chyawanprash/), or specific herbal vehicles

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/makaradhwaj-vati/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.