Abstract

KSHARA VARGA DRAVYA; A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Dr. Seema K. M.* and Dr. Suma V. Mallya

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Abstract

Introduction: Kshara is an alkaline substance obtained from the ash of drugs of animal origin(shanka, pravala etc), plant origin(Apamarga, Palasha etc), mineral origin(Tankana etc), where water soluble alkaline portion is extracted from the ash of these drugs. The word Kshara derived from root word Kshara meaning, mobilization and burning. Kshara means shatana or destruction. It destroys unhealthy tissues. Among the shastra(surgical instruments) and Anushastra, Kshara is superior because of Chedana(excision), Bedana(incision), Lekhana(Scraping) actions and it’s ability of pacifying Tridosha. Materials and Methods: All major texts of Ayurveda, Journals and other sources. Discussion: Kshara is an alkaline substances rich with potassium & sodium contents which are known for diuretic action, it is indicated in Sotha. It is useful in treating condition like gulma, grahani, hikka and swasa due to its chedana action on kapha. The strength of Ksharana (alkalinity)depends more on the development of hydroxides than carbonates. That indicates that Kshara has a greater capacity to generate alkaline conditions since it contains more hydroxides. In bleeding internal haemorrhoids, Apamarga kshara exhibit karma such as Stambhana(astringent/styptic), Pachana (digestion), and Dahana(cauterizing), resulting in hemostasis due to the early cessation of bleeding. When applying Kshara, the mucosa burns and peels the wall, causing the bleeding to cease, which has been proven in a clinical study. Conclusion: Kshara because of its alkaline nature helps in the corrosion of unwanted tissue. Kshara also plays an important role in different pharmaceutical procedures such as Shodhana, Jarana, Maarana etc, and kshara is an important drug in Dravaka gana and Mitrapanchaka. Different formulations of kshara such as kshra taila, kshara grutha, choorna, vati etc are used in various clinical conditions swasa, kasa, grahani, tvak vikaras etc, which can be used both for external and internal administration. Hence this review Article is to gather information of kshara and its varga available in classical texts and other sources.

Keywords: Kshara, Kshara varga, Sushrutha samhita, Rasa tarangini.