HUMUS, THE EPITOME OF AYURVEDIO-MAKSHIKA

Ayurvedio makshika, a maharasa (rejuvenator, adaptogen), has been show n to be constituted of a large number of low M-r (mol. wt) humio inter mediates, and medium and high M-r humio compounds. These results dispe l a long standing misbelief that the bioactive ingredients of makshika constitute only inorganic minerals, viz. iron and chalco-pyrites. The stability of the makshika-humus core (str 5) appears to be due to com plexation with transition metal ions which produce resonance stabilise d metalloorganic species (str 6a,b and 7). The low M-r organic compoun ds of makshika, in their natural habitats, find ecological niche withi n the micropores of humus and thereby fend off weathering and other ex tranuous onslaughts for ages. Humus seems to be not one but of all mah arasas' epitome. The general features of makshika and shilajit are com pared in the light of their origin and biological significance.