Kshara

Apamarga Kshara is an alkaline Ayurvedic medicine, in powder form. It is prepared from an herb called Apamarga – Prickly Chaff-flower – Achyranthes aspera. The medicine is in use since the time of Sushruta, that is since thousands of years. The dry Achyranthes aspera plant is burnt in open air and ash is dissolved in water and processed to prepare a medicine, used in many minor surgical conditions and also for oral administration.

Special Precautions of Kshara

• Do not use this medicine for self medication.
• This medicine has to be taken strictly under medical supervision only.
• This medicine is best avoided in pregnant ladies and infants.
• Since it has kshara as ingredient, this might affect the quality and quantity of sperm on long term use. Hence people undergoing medical treatment for low sperm count should exercise precaution. Watch here
• Keep out of reach and sight of children.
• Store in a dry cool place.

Health Benefits and uses of Kshara are

Kshara is an extract of the ashes of Achyranthes aspera used in Ayurveda; it is very alkaline.

• It is given to people to drink in a highly diluted form as a remedy for worms, indigestion, kidney stones, skin diseases, and obesity.
• It is also administered topically in a less diluted form, especially for problems of the anus and rectum like haemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, and to try to control infection after fistulectomy, after cutting away pilonidal sinus, and after draining abscesses in that region
• it is also used on infected wounds more generally.
• It acts as a natural diuretic. Hence useful to relieve dysurea (difficulty in urination).
• It is useful to treat adbominal distension as in ascites, liver and spleen disorders.
• It is used in Ayurvedic treatment of ear diseases and leucoderma.
• It is used in treating cold, cough and other respiratory diseases.
• It is used as an ingredient in many Ayurvedic medicines.
• It is also used in making Ksharasutra – special threads used in the treatment of abscess and fistula.

References

Kumar HP. for the National Health Portal, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India, Sep 28, 2015.Kshara Karma Therapy (Caustic Therapy) Last updated Oct 01, 2015