Preparation of Apamarga Kshara and its role in surgical practice

Abstract

Ayurveda depends mostly upon the medicinal plants for the remedy. In Rig-Veda and Atharvaveda, there are numerous of medicinal plants mentioned to be used as a drug. Kshara is the herbal extracts of plants like Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Lin), Mulaka (Raphenus sativus Linn.), Snuhi (Euphorbia nerifolia Linn.), Aragwadha (Cassia fistula Linn.), Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica Linn.), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica Linn.) and Arka (Calotropis gigantea Linn.). Kshara can be a compound or mixture of many herbs or may be from single herb. There is wide range of description available about Kshara as told by Acharya Sushruta and many other authoritative classics. This alkaline preparation has many therapeutic usages and even has replaced many surgical procedures and proved to be effective in treating many disorders like Dushta Vrana, Bhagandara, Arsha and Charmakeela. This paper deals with the most practical way of preparing Apamarga Kshara and its role in surgical practice.