Abstract

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF KALASAKADI KASHAYA: A CRITICAL REVIEW

Sreelakshmi K. S.* and P. Gourisankar

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Abstract

Kalasakadi kashaya is a traditional decoction formulation mentioned in well-known classic text – chikitsamanjari, vishoochika chikitsa. It was commonly used by Ayurvedic physicians for different kind of digestive disorders. The decoction contain 3 ingredients - Murraya koenigi, Terminalia chebula, Zingiber officinale in the ratio 6:4:2 kazhinj (1 kazhinj = 4 gm). Among the ayurvedic medicinal formulae it is rare to watch the yogas mentioned with prahelikas (similie), kalasakadi kashaya is the one among them. The prahelikas are used to indicate the quantity of drugs to be used to prepare according to the given formulation which are given in an indirect form in the literature. This kashaya is kapha vatahara in nature and is also deepana pachana and soolaprasamana. The ingredients of this yoga have the property of cyto protective, antimicrobial and also having proton pump inhibition properties. That it is specifically used for ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, acid peptic disease, amoebic dysentery and diarrhea related to lactose intolerance, food poison. It can also be useful in krimi, sopha, bhrama conditions.

Keywords: Kalasakadi kashaya, Prahelika, Kaphavata hara, Yogam.