Lauha Bhasma is calcined iron. It is an inorganic preparation. The process of Lauha Bhasma preparation involves several steps. Loha Bhasma is extensively used in Ayurveda. It increases hemoglobin level, gives strength and cures anemia, edema. Iron is tonic that gives vigour and longevity. It is helpful in all sort of diseases.
Lauha Bhasma is useful in anemia (Panduroga), chlorosis, visarpa, heart’s affections, phthisis, scrofula, general debility, sexual debility, Bright’s disease, Prameha (diabetes), Yakshma (tuberculosis), Krimi Roga (worm infestation), Kshinatwa (cachexia), Sthaulya (obesity), Grahani (bowel syndrome), Agnimandya (dyspepsia), Shula (spasmodic pain), Visha (poisoning), blood impurity, jaundice, the liver and spleen complaints, pain, asthma, piles, skin diseases.
What is Bhasma?
Bhasma can be defined as powder of a substance obtained by calcination. In Ayurveda, metals, minerals and few animal products are incinerated, by special processes in closed crucibles in pits and with cow dung cakes (Puta).
While preparing Bhasma, various physico-chemical changes takes place. Herbs are also used to make bhasma more absorbable in human body. Bhasma is preserved in airtight glass or earthen containers. They maintain their potency indefinitely. They have no characteristic taste.
Here is given more about this medicine, such as benefits, indication/therapeutic uses, composition, and dosage.
Ingredients of Lauha Bhasma
Lauha/Loha or iron
Preparation of Lauha Bhasma
The steps involves in preparing loha Bhasma from raw iron is given below.
Shodhan (process of purification):
- Samanya shodhana सामान्य शोधन: heating the thin sheets of the metals and immersing them in Taila, Takra, Kanjika, Gomutra and Kulatha kashaya.
- Vishesha shodhana विशेष शोधन: It consists of Bhavana, Svedan, Nirvapan and Mardana.
- Samanya shodhana सामान्य शोधन :
- Loha churna (Lauha) 1 Part
- Tila- taila (Ol.) Q.S. for nirvapana
- Takra Q.S. for nirvapana
- Kanjika Q.S. for nirvapana
- Gomutra Q.S. for nirvapana
- Kulatha kashaya (Sd.) Q.S. for nirvapana
- Vishesha shodhana विशेष शोधन (Rasatarangini, Taranga):
- Loha curna (Lauha) – shuddha 1 Part
- Vara (Triphala) kshaya (P.) Q.S. for nishecana 1 Part
- Gomhutra Q.S. for nishecana 1 Part
Paka पाक
Bhanupaka भानु पाक (Rasatarangini, Taranga)
- Loha churna (Lauha) 1 Part
- Triphala – kvatha (P.) 1 Part
Method of Bhanupaka: Triphala Kvatha is prepared by adding two parts of water and reducing it to 1/4 part of water. Loha is mixed with Triphala Kvatha and kept under sun till the fluid gets evaporated. This should be repeated 7 times.
Sthali Paka स्थालीपाक (Rasatarangini, Taranga)
- Lauha – bhanu pakva 1 Part
- Vara (Triphala) (P.) 3 Parts
- Water for decoction 48 Parts reduced to 6 Parts
- Special Method of Preparation
Method of Sthali Paka: Loha Churna processed with Bhanupaka is washed with water and kept in a Sthali and Triphala Kvatha is added and heated on Tivragni till the moisture evaporates.
Putapaka (Marana) पुटपाक (मारण) (Rasatarangini, Taranga):
- Loha (Lauha) – shuddha 1 Part
- Triphala (P.) 1 Part
- Water for decoction 2 Parts reduced to 1/4 part of water
Method of Preparation
Method of Putapaka: Loha Churna processed with Sthali Paka is washed with water and mixed with Triphala Kvatha and ground well. Thin flat cakrikas are prepared, dried and placed in sharava Samputa. The Sandhi is sealed, dried and subjected to Gaja Puta.
Amritikaran (अमृतीकरण) (Ayurvedaprakasha, Adhyaya):
- Ayoraja (Lauha) bhasma 1 Part
- Triphala (P.) 1 Part
- Water for decoction 8 Parts reduced to 2 Parts
- Special Method of Preparation
- Method of Amritikarana: Triphala Kvatha is added to Lauha Bhasma and heated for six hours or till the fluid evaporates and kept in glass containers.
Composition of Lauha Bhasma
- Lauha Bhasma has the following composition:
- Ferris oxide Fe2O3 87.930%
- Ferrous oxide FeO 2.850%
- Silica SiO2 7.338%
- Phosphorous pentoxide P2O5 0.338%
- Magnesia MgO 0.083%
- Lime CaO 0.363%
- Potash K2O 0.012%
Benefits of Lauha Bhasma
- Lauha Bhasma is Vayasthapana (anti-aging), Lekhana (emaciating) and Rasayana (immunomodulator) properties.
- It increases strength, complexion and appetite.
- It cures diseases caused by vitiated Kapha and Pitta.
- It promotes digestion.
- Iron is useful in all chronic diseases.
Uses of Lauha Bhasma
- Atisar (Diarrhea)
- Shula (Colicky Pain)
- Amlapitta (Dyspepsia)
- Udar roga (Ascites)
- Kamala (Jaundice)
- Pandu (Anemia)
- Krimi (Helminthiasis/Worm infestation)
- Medodosha (Disorder of adipose tissue)
- Prameha (Urinary disorders), Pliha Roga (Splenic disease)
- Shotha (Inflammation)
- Shvasa (Dyspnea/Asthma)
- Kushtha (Diseases of the skin)
- This medicine is hematinic and restorative.
The Dosage of Lauha Bhasma
125 mg – 250 mg with Honey/ Ghee/ Trikatu Churna/ Triphala Churna/ Haldi juice depending on the diseases, twice a day or as directed by a physician.
Please note, the doses of Ayurvedic medicines are not fixed. The exact dose depends on the age, strength, digestive power of the patient, the nature of the illness, the state of the viscera and humours, and the properties of individual drugs.
You can buy this medicine online or from medical stores.
This medicine is manufactured by Baidyanath (Lauha Bhasma), Dabur (Lauh Bhasma), Patanjali Divya Pharmacy (Lauh Bhasma), Rasashram (Loha Bhasma, Shri Dhootapapeshwar Limited (Loha Bhasma) and many other Ayurvedic pharmacies.