Ayurvedic Ash Powder or Bhasma: Use, Benefits and Side Effects

Ash Powder or Ayurvedic Bhasma: Use, Benefits and Side Effects (Knowledge from Ancient Ayurveda)

Animal derivatives such as horns, shells, feathers, and metallic and nonmetallic minerals are normally administered as Bhasmas. A bhasma means an ash obtained though incineration. Examples include Swarn Bhasma, Shankha Bhasma, and Tamra Bhasma.

Gold Ash Powder (Swarn Bhasma)

Gold Ash Powder (Swarn Bhasma) has been used since the Vedic era in India to enhance strength and potency, promote longevity, treat impotency and combat the aging process in humans. It is also used as a tonic, hepatotonic, cardio stimulant, nervine tonic, detoxifier, and an anti-infective drug.

Swarna Bhasma is also used in the treatment of diseases such as anemia, dyspepsia, epilepsy, neurasthenia, loss of memory, bronchitis, asthma, tuberculosis, leucoderma, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Iron Ash Powder (Loha Bhasma)

Loha Bhasma is a powerful hematinic Ayurvedic drug indicated in anemia. It stimulates the appetite and has a general vitalizing effect. It is readily assimilated in the body. Loha Bhasma is helpful not only in resorting hemoglobin level, but in significantly increasing body weight gain.

Copper Ash Powder (Tamra Bhasma)

Tamra Bhasma is used as a single drug and also in combination with many medicinal plant extracts. Tamra Bhasma is used for the management of liver disorder, arthritis, old age disorders, leucoderma, etc. Tamra Bhasma shows hepatoprotective effect. The three hepatoprotective drugs are in the following order (increasing effect): tamra Bhasma < Arogyavardhini < Kumari Kalp < Kumari Asav. Tamra Bhasma is a strong antioxidant and could be used in the management of lipid peroxidation.

Mica Ash Powder (Abhrak Bhasma)

Abhrak Bhasma is prepared by treating biotite (mica) with the juices of a number of reconstituent plants that make it a powerful cellular regenerator. It is a commonly used in Ayurved against many diseases, including hepatitis. It is also a nervine tonic and is widely used in respiratory tract infections and anemia. It contains iron, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and aluminum in traces

Mandur Bhasma

Mandur Bhasma is prepared by purifying and calcinating iron rust. It is especially useful in anemia, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, chlorosis, and hepatic and splenic disorders. It is also used in diarrhea, chronic bowel complaints, dyspepsia, intestinal worms, nervous system diseases, neuralgia, kidney diseases, and albuminuria. It is a powerful hematinic and tonic and is valuable in the treatment of hemolytic jaundice and microcytic anemia.

Muktashukti Bhasma

Muktashukti Bhasma is a compound Bhasma consisting of pearl (moti), Aloe vera Linn. (Guar Patha), and vinegar (Kanji). The Bhasma is prepared from the outer covering of the shell (pearl-oyster), and is ground and triturated with Aloe vera and vinegar in sufficient quantity to make a homogeneous paste.

Muktashukti Bhasma has been used in the treatment of tuberculosis, cough, chronic fever, conjuctivitis, abdominal discomfort, biliary disturbances, asthma, heart diseases, vomiting, acidity, dyspepsia, dysmenorrhea, general weakness, arthritis, rheumatism, musculoskeletal disorders, etc.

Sankha Bhasma

Sankha Bhasma is a powder prepared from the calcinated conch shell. It consists mainly of calcium, iron, and magnesium. Sankha Bhasma is well known for its antacid and digestive properties. It is useful in hyperchlorhydria, sprue, colic, and hepatosplenomegaly.

Yashad Bhasma

Yashada Bhasma is a specially processed zinc. It is administered in sprue, diabetes, leucorrhea, and hyperhydrosis.