Shankha Bhasma is an Ayurvedic preparation from Shankha or Conch shell. Bhasma can be defined as powder of a substance obtained by calcination. So, Shankh Bhasma is powder of calcinated conch shell. Shankha Bhasma is an excellent medicine for treating digestive system complaints. It improves digestion, absorbs excess liquid content, improves appetite and cures gastritis, acidity, nausea, etc.
What is Shankha?
Indian conch or Shankha is a carnivorous gastropod, belonging in to the Mollusc’s largest class Gastropoda and family Turbinelliadae. Its scientific species name is Turbinella pyrum.
A soft body organism lives inside the very hard, dense and calcareous shell or conch.
There are two types of Shankh availabel, one is Vama varta (opening onto the left side) and dakshinvarta (opening onto the right side). For preparing Shankha Bhasma, Vamavarta is used.
Ingredients of Shankh Bhasma
For preparing Shankh Bhasma, the pieces of conch are used. As Bhavna Dravya, Aloe Vera pulp and lemon juice are used.
Methods of preparation of Shankh Bhasma as per Rasa tarangini:
First method of purification: Shankha is made into pieces of 1 to 2 inch size with iron mortar and pestle, tied into a poultice amidst lemon juice for three hours, taken out, and washed with warm water.
Second method of purification: the Shankha is made into small pieces of 1 to 2 inches in size by pounding it with iron mortar and pestle, tied into a poultice, and subjected to boiling in dola yantra amidst sour gruel for three hours, taken out, and washed with warm water.
After purification by either of these methods, the Shankha is kept in an earthen plate, closed with another one, sealed, dried, and subjected to incineration in a gaja puta, following which the shankha becomes white bhasma after two sequential incineration steps.
Uses of Shankh Bhasma
Shankha Bhasma has carminative, anti-ulcer and antacid activities. It neutralises acid and alkalises the body. It also gives strength to the body.
Shankh Bhasma is used in the treatment of Gastroduodenal Ulcer, Acid Peptic Disorder, Hyperacidity, Digestive Weakness, Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS, Malabsorption Syndrome, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Dysentery, (Ulcerative Dyspepsia, Indigestion, Excessive Abdominal Gas, Vomiting Belching, Gastritis and Belching, General Debility, Jaundice, Enlargement of Liver and Spleen, and Some Skin and Lung Diseases.
The constituent of shankha Bhasma include Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium and Calcium oxide. Shankha Bhasma shows a beneficial effect in diseases that occur due to calcium deficiency.
The Dosage of Shankha Bhasma
The recommended dose of Shankha Bhasma is 125mg-500 mg after the meal, 2-3 times a day, with Ghee or lemon juice or Triphala decoction or lukewarm water.
This medicine is manufactured by Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan, Shree Dhootapapeshwar Limited, Arya Vaidya Sala Kottakkal (Sankha Bhasmam, Sankha Bhasmam Cap (500mg)), Patanjali Divya Pharmacy, Dabur.
This medicine is also known as Sankha Bhasma.
References:
Anti-ulcer effect of Shankha Bhasma in rats: a preliminary study S. Pandit, T.K. Sur, U. Jana, D. Bhattacharyya, P. K. Debnath.
Efficacy of Shankha bhasma in Urdhwag Amlapitta Prof. Dr. Lad Sudhir Laxman Md (Ayu), Ph.D. (Ayu).
Formulation development, characterization & estimation of acid neutralization capacity of shankha bhasma tablets for the treatment of dyspepsia Ankit Seth, Santosh K. Maurya, Ashish Srivastava.
Comparison of two purification products of Shankha bhasma: a prospective randomized control trial Manjiri Ranade, Dingari Laxmana Chary.