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.

How to Detoxify or Purify Body: Best Tips from Ayurved

Purification of human Body in Ayurved

          Toxins are any substance that can be poisonous or cause negative health effects. Detox is a process to clear their body of toxins. Regular body cleanses and detoxes are a core principle of health and healing.

The three classical month for this purification/cleaning routine of body are April, October and July in every year. Some best herbs and regimens for detoxifying the body-

1.                Acacia Catechu (Kharidra) is the best for blood.Take along with Betel Leaf. Also used in case of diabetes.

2.                Achryanthes Aspera (Apamarga) is the best for the elimination of phlegm from the head. The root is also inhaled in case of sinusitis.

3.                Aconitum Heterophyllum (Ativisa) is the best for causing Astringent effect (the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues).

4.                Albizia Lebbeck (Sirisa) is the best anti-toxic medicine.

5.                Alkalies cause impotency. Though Alkalis promote digestion, but don’t use too long.

6.                Barley is the best to increase faeces.

7.                Buffalo Milk is the best for producing sleep.

8.                Butter and Purgation (evacuation of the bowels brought about by taking laxative) are the best to alleviate Pitta.

9.                Callicarpa Macrophylla (Priyangu) is the best drug for stopping excessive menstrual bleeding.

10.           Camel Milk is the best for curing water accumulation in abdomen and cirrhosis of liver.

11.           Cassia Fistula (Aragvadha) is the best laxative. It is suitable even for pregnant women.

12.           Celibacy is the best for long life.

13.           Cock’s Meat (not Chicken) is the best to promote strength.

14.           Cow Milk is the healthiest milk.

15.           Cyperus Rotundus (Musta) is the best to stop diarrhea (small nodules at roots).

16.           EmblicaOfficinalis (Amalaka) is the best rejuvenator.

17.           Exercise is the best to bring sturdiness of the body. Yogic Exercise also brings flexibility of the spine.

18.           Fomentation (Sauna Bath, Warm Salt over Body etc.) is the best cause tenderness.

19.           Gote Milk is the best for tuberculosis and bleeding.

20.           Black/Chebulic Myrobalan - Terminalia chebula (Haritiki) is the best having wholesome effect.

21.           Hollarhena Antidysenterica (Kutaja) is the best for fever and chronic diarrhea and dysentery.

22.           Honey and Emesis (the action or process of vomiting) are the best to alleviate Kapha.

23.           Inula Racemosa (Puskaramola) is the best for asthma.

24.           Meat is the best nourishing but not necessary for people who are already nourished. Be careful with over nourishment.

25.           Meat soup is the best for refreshing.

26.           Myristica Fragrans (Nutmeg) is good for teething babies.

27.           Old Ghee (more than five year old) is the best for insanity.

28.           Operculina Turpethum (Trivrt) is the best as a painless purgative which purifies.

29.           Pluchea Lanc (Rasna) is the best to alleviate Vayu.

30.           Plumbago Zeylanica (Chitrak) root is the best digestive.

31.           Randia Dumetorum (Madana) is the best for Emesis.

32.           Ricinus Communis (Eranda) is the best to alleviate rheumatism.

33.           Salt is the best to cause deliciousness of food.

34.           Sesame Oil and Enema (a procedure in which liquid or gas is injected into the rectum, to expel its contents) are the best to alleviate Vayu.

35.           Tribulus Terrestris (Goksura) is the best for urinary disorders and burning micturition.

36.           Water is the best for producing soothing effect.

37.           Wine is the best to dispel fatigue.

38.           Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) is the best for chronic indigestion (with rock salt, five minute before meal).