A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Sūtašēkhara Rasa
Primary Source: Yogaratnakara (Amlapitta Chikitsa)
Other Authentic Texts: Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI), Bṛhat Bhaishajya Ratnavali.
The formulation is a complex herbo-mineral compound processed with a specific liquid.
Main Ingredients (1 part each unless specified):
शुद्ध पारद (Śuddha Pārada) - Purified Mercury
स्वर्ण भस्म (Svarṇa Bhasma) - Incinerated Gold Ash
गन्धक भस्म (Gandhaka Bhasma) - Purified Sulphur Ash
ताम्र भस्म (Tāmra Bhasma) - Incinerated Copper Ash (Cuprum)
शंख भस्म (Śaṅkha Bhasma) - Conch Shell Ash (Turbinella pyrum)
टंकण (Ṭaṅkaṇa) - Borax (Sodium borate)
वत्सनाभ (Vatsanābha) - Purified root of Aconitum ferox Wall.
शुण्ठी (Śuṇṭhī) - Dried Ginger Rhizome (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)
मरिच (Marica) - Black Pepper Fruit (Piper nigrum L.)
पिप्पली (Pippalī) - Long Pepper Fruit (Piper longum L.)
धत्तूर बीज (Dattūra Bīja) - Datura Seed (Datura metel L.)
त्वक् (Tvak) - Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume)
तेजपत्त्र (Tejapattra) - Indian Bay Leaf (Cinnamomum tamala (Buch.-Ham.) T.Nees & Eberm.)
एला (Elā) - Cardamom Fruit (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton)
नागकेसर (Nāgakeśara) - Cobra's Saffron Stamens (Mesua ferrea L.)
बिल्व मज्जा (Bilva Majjā) - Pulp of Bael Fruit (Aegle marmelos (L.) Corrêa)
कचोरक (Kacōraka) - Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe (Zedoary) - [Note: Identification is a best judgment based on phonetics and common ingredients; the original text was ambiguous.]
Processing Agent (Bhāvana Dravya):
भृङ्गराज स्वरस (Bhṛṅgarāja Svarasa) - Fresh Juice of Bhringraj (Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.)
Primary & Classical Diagnoses (Sanskrit):
Amlapitta: Hyperacidity, GERD.
Grahaṇī: Malabsorption syndrome, IBS.
Pañca Gulma: Five types of abdominal tumors/obstructions.
Pañca Kāsa: Five types of cough.
Tridoṣaja Atisāra: Diarrhea caused by the vitiation of all three Doshas.
Śvāsa: Dyspnea, asthma.
Udāvarta: Disorders due to reverse movement of Vāta.
Yakṣmā: Wasting diseases, Tuberculosis.
Āntrika Samīpāta Jvara: Enteric fever (e.g., Typhoid).
Viṣūcikā: Cholera.
Scope of Application (Modern & Integrated Clinical Correlation):
Gastrointestinal System: Hyperacidity, acid reflux, peptic ulcer, gastritis, stomatitis, mouth ulcers, epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting, functional dyspepsia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), infectious diarrhea.
Cardiovascular System: Cardiac diseases, palpitations, circulatory disorders.
Nervous System & Psychiatry: Headache/giddiness due to hyperacidity, convulsive disorders, Pitta-dominant psychotic conditions (Paittika Unmada).
Respiratory System: Pitta-dominant cough, dyspnea, hiccups (Hidhma).
General & Systemic Conditions: Febrile conditions (Jwara), especially enteric fever; burning sensation (Dāha) anywhere in the body; anorexia (Aruci); as a rejuvenative (Rasāyana) and antimicrobial (Jantughna) agent.
Dosha Karma (Action on Bio-energies): Primarily Pitta-Vāta Śamana (Pacifies Pitta and Vāta). Also Vāta Anulomana (Promotes normal downward movement of Vāta) and Sāma Pitta Hara (Alleviates Pitta mixed with toxins, Ama).
Dhātu Karma (Action on Body Tissues): Rasāyana (Rejuvenating to all tissues, particularly Rasa Dhātu).
Agni Karma (Action on Digestive Fire): Dīpana-Pācana (Kindles digestive fire and digests toxins).
Srotas Karma (Action on Body Channels): Vātavāhīnī Nādī Kṣobha Hara (Calms the agitation in the nervous system channels). Acts on Annavaha (GI), Rasavaha (plasma), Raktavaha (blood), and Pranavaha (respiratory) channels.
Roga Karma (Action on Specific Diseases): Amlapitta Hara (Alleviates hyperacidity), Ākṣepa Hara (Anti-convulsive).
Lakṣaṇika Karma (Symptomatic Action): Śūla Hara (Pain-relieving), Dāha Praśamana (Reduces burning sensation), Rucya (Appetizer), Sangrāhī (Astringent, useful in diarrhea).
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Predominantly Kaṣāya (Astringent), Tikta (Bitter), Kaṭu (Pungent)
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Tīkṣṇa (Penetrating)
Vīrya (Potency) Śīta (Cooling)
Vipāka (Post-digestive Effect) Madhura (Sweet)
Note on Modern Correlate Actions:
The formulation demonstrates potent antacid, anti-ulcer, carminative, and antimicrobial actions. Its cooling property (Śīta Vīrya) directly counteracts hyperacidity and burning sensations. The Yogavāhi (catalytic) property enhances the bioavailability and delivery of other medicines. It is effective against various gastrointestinal pathogens (Jantughna) and helps detoxify the body (Vishahara). Its action on the nervous system (Vātavāhīnī Nādī) provides a calming effect, beneficial in stress-related acidity and cardiac symptoms.
Dabur India Ltd (DBR) (As per Bhaishajya Ratnavali)
Kashmir Herbal Remedies (KASHMIR) (As per Ayurvedic Formulary of India)
Sree Dhootapapeshwar Ltd (SDL) (As per Bṛhat Bhaishajya Ratnavali)
Important Manufacturer Note:
Dabur and SDL produce two variants of this medicine:
1. Sūtašēkhara Rasa (with Suvarṇa Bhasma): Contains gold ash; considered superior in therapeutic qualities.
2. Sūtašēkhara Rasa (Sāda): Does not contain gold ash.