The Kshar prepared from Apamarg is known as Apamarga ksara. It is potash rich alkaline ash of the plant Achyranthes aspera, and is used a single drug or in the preparation of caustic pastes and diuretic medicines.
In Ayurveda, Kshara is the term used for alkaline (basic) ashes of plants. It is derived from the Bhasma of a plant. For Bhasma preparation, first the plant containing more or less alkalis, is dried, made into powder and then burnt till they are completely reduced to ashes. This ash is dissolved in water, strained and again heated to evaporate the water. Dehydrated salty solid obtained by this process is Kshar/Ksara.
The plants used for Kshar preparation include Patala, Kutaj, Arka, Karanj, Adusa, Imli, Punarnava, Apamarga etc. Kshar are used both externally and internally. They have laxative, diuretic and antacid properties. Kshar are rich in potash.
Apamarga Ksara has tikshna (sharp), ushna (hot), picchila (slimy), slaksan (smooth), shulhar (pain relieving) properties.
Formulation composition of Apamarga Ksara
- Apamarga Bhasma Achyranthes aspera Plant 1 part
- Jala Water 6 parts
Method of Preparation of Apamarga Ksara
Take ingredients of pharmacopoeial quality.
Cut whole plant of Apamarga into small pieces and dry completely. Burn to ash (Bhasma).
Add 6 parts of water to the Bhasma, stir well and keep overnight.
Next morning decant the clear liquid and filter through a three-layered muslin cloth.
Repeat the filtering process till a colourless filtrate is obtained. Transfer filtered material to a stainless steel vessel and heat to evaporate the water. Collect kshara deposited as flakes from the bottom of the vessel and grind it to a fine powder.
Pack it in tightly closed containers to protect from light and moisture.
Description:
Fine powder, passing through sieve number 100;hygroscopic, odour faint and taste saline;freely soluble in water.
Identification:
An aqueous solution yields the reactions characteristic of sodium and potassium.
- pH of 10% aqueous solution= 10 to 1
- Potassium:Not less than 29 per cent
- Sodium:Not less than 4 per cent
- Iron:Not less than 1.2 per cent
Storage:Store in a cool place in tightly closed containers, protected from light and moisture.
Therapeutic uses of Apamarga Ksara
- Apamarga Kshara is used both externally and internally.
- It is given with honey in respiratory ailments.
- Its preparation with sesame oil (Apamarga Kshar Taila) is used for treating ear disorders and for Karna puran.
- In case of gas and abdominal pain, it is given in combination with Trikatu and Yavani churna.
- For spleen diseases and Gulma it is given with Rock salt/sendha namak.
- In leucoderma/Shivtr/Safed daag, equal parts of Apamarga ksara and Manashil triturated with Gomutra is applied externally.
- Gulma (abdominal lump)
- Udara-shula (pain in the abdomen)
- Grahani (malabsorption syndrome)
- Visucika (gastro-enteritis with piercing pain)
- Alasaka (intestinal atony)
- Ajirna (dyspepsia)
- Aruci (tastelessness)
- Anaha (distention of abdomen due to obstruction to passage of urine and stool)
- Arsha (piles) bhagandara (fistula in ano)
- Sharkara (gravel in urine)
- Ashmari (calculus)
- Krimi (helminthiasis)
- Antarvidradhi (hernia)
- Shvasa (asthma)
Dosage of Apamarga Kshara
This medicine should be taken under medical supervision. The recommended dosage is 125mg to 500mg with water.
Please note, the doses of Ayurvedic medicines are not fixed. Exact dose depends on the age, strength, digestive power of the patient, the nature of the illness, the state of the viscera and humours, and the properties of individual drugs.