Abstract

A LITERARY REVIEW OF VARIOUS METHODS AND USES OF KSHARA KALPANA FROM ANCIENT LITERATURE OF AYURVEDA

Rajendra G. Mane* and Sushmita K. Patil

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Abstract

Kshara is alkaline in nature, ksharas are derivatives of plant drug ashes in the form of solutions, powder or crystals all of which have the basic quality of being alkaline. Kshara can be a multiple combination of many herbs or may be from single herb; this alkaline preparation has many therapeutic usages like many surgical procedures and has been used both internally and externally for the treatment of many diseases like Mutrashmari (renal calculi), external application in Arshas (haemorrhoid/ piles) and in the form of kshara sutra (alkaline thread), in the treatment of Bhagandhara (fistula in ano). Ksharsutra considered as a strong weapon in treatments of piles, fissure and fistula. The importance of kshara in therapeutics, inspired us to explore the uses of kshara. There is a wide range of description available about kshara in much Ayurvedic classical texts; in this paper we have described various methods and uses of kshara Kalpana.

Keywords: Kshara, Ayurveda, Ksharakarma, Arsha, Bhagandara, fissure, fistula, Ksharsutra.