Sutshekhar Ras (Sanskrit: सुतशेखर रस) (also spelled as Sootshekhar Ras), is an ayurvedic medicine. Sutshekhar Ras is an Herbo-Metal preparation, which means it contains herbs and Bhasma (calcination) of "purified" metals as per Ayurvedic medicine preparation protocols of the stream Rasa Shastra.
Contents
- Therapeutic Uses
- Preparation
- Metal Mineral Ingredients
- Availability and dosage
- Safety
- Ayurveda Shodhan purification protocol
- References
Ayurveda concepts are based on three entities called doshas - Vata, Pitta, and Kapha - which are claimed to be responsible for the process of origin, transformation and destruction in every animate, inanimate, micro, and macro manifestation of the cosmos of which humans are a part. The human patho-physiology revolves around the stability and instability of theses doshas which are identified as humors.
An Ayurvedic physician scrutinizes the symptoms and prepares medicines which balance the vitiated Dosha. Sutshekhar Rasa is one such prime formulation which takes corrective action on the Pitta dosha. It is used in variety of disorders as per Ayurvedic texts.
Therapeutic Uses
Ayurveda medicine are used as per discretion of the physician since Ayurveda is a very individualistic. However the most common disorders where Sutshekhar is used are; Acid peptic disorders, Hemorrhage, Mental disorders, Cardiac disorders, Circulatory disorders. Generally Swarnayukt Sutshekhar is preferred for cardiac disorders. Many a times it is used in conjunction with other formulations like "Kamdudha Rasa".
Preparation
Sutshekhar Rasa is prepared in two ways;
Both formulations are same except for the addition of Suvarna Bhasma in the former preparation.Sutshekhar Rasa is also prepared by Ayurveda physicians with modifications for personal and commercial use. The most common addition is calcinied ash of purified Swarna Makshik which in modern terms is Chalcopyrite. Swarna Makshik is considered to have all properties of Swarna (Gold) and hence used as addition to Sadha Sootshekhar Rasa.
Metal - Mineral Ingredients
Sutshekhar Rasa consist of the following metals and minerals as per variation in its preparations.
Availability and dosage
Sutshekhar Rasa is commercially prepared by many Ayurveda pharmacies in India like Ayurveda Rasashala,Pune;Baidyanath group, Dhoot Papeshwar, Arkashala etc. The commercial preparation use binding agents to prepare tablets generally weighing 125 mg each and a packing of 60tablets per bottle. Sutshekhar Rasa is also prepared by Ayurveda physicians with modifications for personal and commercial use. The preparation is stored in powder form or rolled in form of a huge tablet with help of water and stored in a glass vessel eliminating the synthetic binding agent which many healers consider to be an adulterant. The tablet is used by rubbing it in water over a clean even surface to obtain a paste which is administered as per requirement taking in account the age of the patient. This dosage is known as "Matra" in local terms. Sutshekhar due to its metal contents is a prescription only medicine. However Sutshekar Rasa is very popular and has been a part of many Indian households as per traditions in their first aid kit to treat acid-peptic disorders. Hence Sutshekhar Rasa is also available in many ayurvedic pharmacy as an OTC medicine.
Safety
Sutshekhar Rasa has been used over periods in India as per traditional health care system. The medicine has not been evaluated on modern parameters to determine long term and short-term toxicity.
Ayurveda Shodhan (purification) protocol
Sutshekhar Rasa as per its preparation methods contains "purified" mineral compounds like Swarna Makshik (Chalcopyrite), Shankh (conch shell) and heavy metals like Swarna (Gold), Tamra (Copper), Parad (Mercury) and Gandhak (Sulfur) along with other herbs.