Siddha Makardhwaj
Siddha Makardhwaj is a rasa preparation, a herbo-mineral formulation of the rasa shastra tradition.
| Substance type | Herbo-mineral (rasa shastra) preparation, not a single plant |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Siddha Makardhwaj, SiddhaMakardhwaj |
The evidence at a glance
3papers on this site for this drug, published 2014 to 2021, 2 with a DOI.
- 1Other clinical studies and reviews
- 2Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Siddha Makardhwaj |
How does it work?
- HgS nanoparticle complex with gold provides a stable, poorly soluble mineral matrix; the enhanced gold content in Siddha form is believed to improve immunomodulatory and Rasayana (rejuvenative) potency
- It has been proposed, but not established, that gold nanoparticles may interact with immune cells
- The mercury sulfide component may modulate enzymatic pathways involved in cellular energy production, while gold particles serve as carrier for targeted tissue delivery
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Rejuvenation and vitality: traditionally used as a Rasayana for rejuvenation and vitality. Animal safety studies have reported improved metabolic parameters without organ toxicity.
- Rheumatoid arthritis and neurological disorders: traditionally used for these conditions, as documented in classical texts. Studies on related formulations have reported anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity.
What do recent studies show?
- 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. The Indian journal of medical research. PMID 24927349
At therapeutic dose (10 mg/kg) and up to 5x the human dose for 28 days, no significant toxicity was observed in liver, kidney, or brain cerebrum of rats, despite mercury content far exceeding EPA reference dose. The Ayurvedic detoxification process (Sodhana) may modify metal properties, abolishing toxicity while retaining pharmacological activity. - Jamadagni S, Jamadagni PS, Singh RK and others 2017. Ninety days repeated dose oral toxicity study of Makaradhwaja in Wistar rats. Ayu. PMID 30254400 · doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_33_17
NOAEL established at 27 mg/kg/day for 90 consecutive days. No treatment-related histopathological changes observed. Significant increase in kidney weight at high dose noted but not correlated with biochemical or histopathological changes. - Mukhopadhyay S, Abraham SE, Holla B and others 2021. Heavy Metals in Indian Traditional Systems of Medicine: A Systematic Scoping Review and Recommendations for Integrative Medicine Practice. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). PMID 34142855 · doi:10.1089/acm.2021.0083
Systematic review identified that while individual studies show safety of properly prepared formulations at therapeutic doses, regulatory mechanisms have been insufficient, and heavy metal toxicity with traditional Indian medicine preparations continues to be a public health concern. Errors in preparation can lead to dangerous health issues.
Recent safety updates
- The 28-day and 90-day animal toxicity studies provide preliminary safety evidence at therapeutic doses, but the paradox of high mercury content with no overt toxicity requires mechanistic explanation beyond ‘Shodhana modification’
- Errors in traditional preparation can lead to dangerous heavy metal toxicity - the safety is critically dependent on strict adherence to classical pharmaceutical procedures and quality control
- No long-term human clinical safety data available; chronic exposure to even low-bioavailability mercury compounds raises concerns about cumulative renal and neurological effects
- The higher gold content in Siddha form increases cost but may also increase the nanoparticle load; gold accumulation in organs has been documented in gold-containing Ayurvedic medicine studies
- Strictly requires prescription and physician monitoring; periodic assessment of serum creatinine, BUN, liver enzymes, and urinary mercury levels recommended during use
What is it made of?
Mineral/Elemental Profile
- Primary component: Mineral-derived preparation
- Note: Composition varies by specific preparation method
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Vati
Standard Dosage: 30–60 mg twice daily
Optimal Timing: With honey, ghee, or Chyawanprash
Storage: Airtight, premium container
Marker Compounds: Gold-mercury sulfide complex, Herbal bioactives from Siddhi process
Vehicle (Anupana): Honey + ghee, Chyawanprash, or condition-specific vehicles
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews1
- 2021. Heavy Metals in Indian Traditional Systems of Medicine: A Systematic Scoping Review and Recommendations for Integrative Medicine PracticeJournal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). PMID 34142855 · doi:10.1089/acm.2021.0083
Laboratory and animal studies2
- 2017. Ninety days repeated dose oral toxicity study of Makaradhwaja in Wistar ratsAyu. PMID 30254400 · doi:10.4103/ayu.AYU_33_17
- 2014. Safety evaluation of mercury based Ayurvedic formulation (Sidh Makardhwaj) on brain cerebrum, liver & kidney in ratsThe Indian journal of medical research. PMID 24927349
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.