A critical review study of Kshara Kalpana according to classical Ayurvedic text.

: The medicinal products are classified in different forms in Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals, Kshara kalpana is one of them. Kshara are the substances obtained from the ashes of Animals i.e.(conch shells, coral etc.), minerals(borax, salt) etc. and plants (Apamarga, mulaka) origin, where alkaline portion is extracted from the ashes of these substances. Kshara kalpana can be used as single or compound or mixture of many herbs, animals and mineral products. There is a-wide range of description available in Ayurvedic text. In Sushruta Samhita, Acharya sushrut , Father of Indian surgery is the pioneer of Kshara kalpana . He has given detailed explanation of Kshara kalpana . Kshara Kalpana can be used externally as well as internally. Kshara kalpana also used in different pharmaceutical procedures like Shodhana, Jarana and Marana.

The medicinal products are classified in different forms in Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals, Kshara kalpana is one of them. Kshara are the substances obtained from the ashes of Animals i.e.(conch shells, coral etc.), minerals(borax, salt) etc. and plants (Apamarga, mulaka) origin, where alkaline portion is extracted from the ashes of these substances. Kshara kalpana can be used as single or compound or mixture of many herbs, animals and mineral products. There is a-wide range of description available in Ayurvedic text. In Sushruta Samhita, Acharya sushrut, Father of Indian surgery is the pioneer of Kshara kalpana. He has given detailed explanation of Kshara kalpana. Kshara Kalpana can be used externally as well as internally. Kshara kalpana also used in different pharmaceutical procedures like Shodhana, Jarana and Marana.

INTRODUCTION:
Health has always been on top of the list for human beings. For the purpose of healthy life nature has gifted various resources to human beings. Herbs, metals, mineral and animal product are useful resources. In today's life style, Ayurveda has shown various paths to take advantage from these resources. Uses of resources in medical treatment are not new for this world and Kshara kalpana is one of them. In preparation of Kshara the method is designed in such a way, that alkaline substance is extracted from any drug. Kshara can be obtained from ash of any plants, animals and mineral products. It is also said that the disease which is difficult to treat can be cured with the help of Kshara therapy. Kshara helps in minimizing the recurrence of diseases. Kshara can reduce the chances of infection due to its alkaline property e.g. -post-surgical infection. In different text of Rasashastra, Kshara kalpana's are mentioned in different formulation.
In this article an effort has been taken to compile and present the utilization of Kshara in the pharmaceutico-therapeutics.

AIM:
Review various types of Kshara kalpana available in classical Ayurvedic text.

MATERIAL & METHODS:
Classical Ayurvedic text like Sushruta Samhita, Charaka, Sharangdhar, Rastarangini etc. are reviewed for collection of Kshara kalpana and their types.
Research article and ongoing researches are reviewed too through internet.

DEFINITION:
The substance which removes vitiated debris of skin, muscle etc. due to its alkalinity or corrosive property is Kshara [1] .
According to the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Kshara are alkaline substance obtained from the ash of drugs [2] .

Pratisaraniya Kshara (External)
Pratisaraniya Kshara has been further sub classified according to its potential in to 3 types: This classification is entirely based on the strength or concentration of Kshara and applicable in the external use.

B) TYPES OF KSHARA KALPANA [4] :
On the basis of Season of preparation: C) TYPES OF KSHARA KALPANA ACCORDING TO PAKA [5] : These types are given by Acharya Sushrut on the basis of strength of corrosive property due to addition of prativap dravya- 1. According to Sushruta Samhita [6] : The plants containing Kshara are collected and dried and then they are burnt to get ash form. The burning should be done till matter get burnt. The ash is dissolved in six times of water in an earthen pot and kept for one night. Next day morning contents should be filtered for 21 times and obtained liquid is heated, till total water content is get evaporated, then Kshara is obtained. [7] :

According to Sharangdhara Samhita
The dried parts of plants which exude milky sap are burnt into ash form in fire. The ash thus obtained is dissolved in four times of water in mud pot and kept overnight. Next day morning the clear supernatant water is decanted out into a clean vessel and boiled till all the water evaporates, leaving of a fine white powder at the bottom. This is known as Kshara.
3. According to Rasa Tarangini [8] : The plants containing Kshara are dried and burnt into ash form. The ash thus obtained is dissolved in four times of water and rubbed with hands properly and contents are kept without any disturbance for 3 hours. Then contents are filtered with three folded cloth. This filtered liquid is boiled till total water content gets evaporated. Finally, Kshara is obtained in greyish white powder form.

According to Acharya Yadavji (Dravya Guna Vigyana) [9] :
Panchanga (five parts of plant) of the plants containing Kshara are collected and dried, and then they are burnt to get ash form. The burning should be done till matter get burnt. The ash is dissolved in six times of water in an earthen pot and kept for one night. Next day morning contents should be filtered for 21 times and obtained liquid is heated, till total water content is get evaporated, then Kshara is obtained which is similar to the colour of greyish white.

According to Ayurveda Prakash [10] :
The dried parts of plants which exude milky sap are burnt into ash form in fire. The ash thus obtained is dissolved in four times of water in mud pot and kept overnight. Next day morning the clear supernatant water is decanted out into a clean vessel and boiled till all the water evaporates, leaving of a fine white powder at the bottom. This is known as Kshara.
6. Ayurved Sara Sangraha [11] : The plants containing Kshara are dried and burnt into ash form. The ash thus obtained is dissolved in Eight times of water and rubbed with hands properly and contents are kept without any disturbance for 2 to 3 Days. Then contents are filtered with four folded cloth. Then content should be filtered for 7 times and obtained liquid is heated, till total water content is get evaporated, then Kshara is obtained.