Loha Bhasma (Lauh Bhasma)
Loha Bhasma (also spelled as lauha bhasma or Lauh Bhasma) is mineral-based ayurvedic medicine. It contains elemental iron micro-fine particles prepared through the process of calcination under high temperature. In Ayurveda, Loh bhasma is used for anemia, general debility, liver enlargement, spleen enlargement, and hiatus hernia.
Loh Bhasma Ingredients
Purified iron is processed with herbal juices and then calcined under high temperature to make bhasma or iron ash.
Chemical composition of Lauh Bhasma
Elemental Iron – Fe
Medicinal Properties
Loha Bhasma has following healing properties.
- Haematinic (increases hemoglobin levels)
- Hematogenic (helps in formation of red blood cells)
- Lowers bilirubin
- Fat Burner
- Digestive Stimulant
- Astringent
- Emmenagogue
Therapeutic Indications
Loha Bhasma is useful in following diseases.
- Iron deficiency anemia
- General debility
- Liver enlargement
- Spleen enlargement
- Hiatus hernia
- Night fall
- Impotency
- Weakness due to bleeding disorders
Loha bhasma Benefits & Medicinal Uses
Loha Bhasma (Lauh Bhasma) is an ayurvedic iron preparation. It is best for iron deficiency anemia, Kapha disorders, loss of appetite and obesity. It has Lekhana action and burns excess fat. Thus, it is also useful in obesity. Lauha bhasma works well in central obesity and reduces belly fat. In ayurveda, it is used for the diseases of blood, muscles, heart, liver, spleen and abdomen.
Iron Deficiency Anemia
Loha bhasma contains highly absorbable elemental iron micro-fine particles. Therefore, it can help in iron deficiency anemia. Ayurvedic medicines used for anemia contain Lauh bhasma as a main ingredient.
Anemia due to intestinal worms
In some patients, anemia may occur when intestinal worms are present in their intestines. Generally, hookworm sucks blood from the intestinal walls, so it produces iron deficiency anemia.
In this case, we require treating parasitic infestation as well as we also require iron supplement to compensate iron loss in the body. For this purpose, the following combination is useful, according to ayurveda.
| Loha Bhasma | 50 mg |
| Vaividang (Embelia ribes) seeds powder | 1 gram |
| Thymol | 50 mg |
Bleeding disorders
Loha bhasma is also beneficial for bleeding disorders. However, it may not reduce bleeding, but Lauha bhasma can compensate the iron loss that occurs due to bleeding disorders. For stopping bleeding, ayurveda has other remedies including RAKTACHANDANADI KWATH, MOCHRAS etc. Loh bhasma can be used with these remedies to reduce symptoms like restlessness, debility, vertigo and fatigue.
Loss of appetite, indigestion & abdominal distension
Loha bhasma has digestive stimulant properties and increases appetite. It helps in loss of appetite, indigestion and abdominal distension by stimulating appetite, helping in digestion and reduces gas in the abdomen.
Obesity or weight loss
Loha bhasma is used with triphala powder or triphala guggulu for reducing weight. If you suffer with iron deficiency anemia and obesity together, then it is a good remedy for losing weight. Iron deficiency anemia is also associated with weight gain. (1, 2)
Loha bhasma Dosage
Loha bhasma dosage varies from 15 mg to 250 mg twice a day depending on age, health condition and body weight of the patient. The maximum dosage of Lauh Bhasma should not exceed from 500 mg per day.
| Infants (Below 12 Months) | Might not be suitable |
| Children | 2 mg per body weight |
| Adults | 125 mg (can be between 125 – 250 mg) |
| Pregnancy | Might not be suitable * |
| Lactation | Might not be suitable * |
* In cases of pregnancy and lactation, Loha bhasma should not be used as a single medicine. There are many better alternatives available in ayurveda.
How to Take
| Medication Frequency | Twice Daily |
| Medication Timings | Best after meal |
Adjuvants
The best suitable Adjuvants for Loha bhasma are as follows:
- Pippali Churna
- Butter and Misri
- Triphala Churna
- Chyawanprash
Caution & Side Effects
Loha bhasma is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people in supplemental and therapeutic dosage when used under medical supervision.
If Lauh Bhasma is not prepared properly as per classical method described in ayurvedic texts, then Lauha bhasma may lead to following side effects.
- Black stools
- Stomach upset
- Nausea
- Constipation (very rare and only occur in weak people)
- Diarrhea (rare)
Contraindications
Loha bhasma should not be used in following health conditions.
- Stomach or intestinal ulcers.
- Inflammatory diseases of abdomen including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Thalassemia or iron overload.
Drug Interactions
Loha bhasma may interact with following medicines and lowers their effectiveness and absorption in the body.
- Quinolone antibiotic
- Tetracycline antibiotics
- Bisphosphonates
- Levodopa
- Levothyroxine
- Methyldopa
- Mycophenolate Mofetil
- Penicillamine
Dear Dr. Jagdev,
We know that Iron used for the medicinal purpose in ayurveda is different from the natural iron found in the nature.
Ayurveda iron powder is Nano particle of iron. My question is then why iron could not be used in thalassemia if iron ash is processed according to ayurvedic procedure.
Secondly, iron increases RBC in blood that we know. What is about the WBC and Platelet? Do WBC & Platelet counts also improve if ayurvedic iron bhasma or Mandoor bhasma is used?
Thanks
Ayurveda process for micro fining iron particles has two main purposes – One is reducing its side effects and second is increasing bioavailability of elemental iron. A proper formed Loha Bhasma absorption is higher than modern iron supplements. Your hemoglobin will increase by 0.5 to 3 mg/dL per month (on average 1.5 mg/dL per month) after taking ayurvedic iron preparation. This does not occur with modern iron supplements.
Natural iron absorption from the gut increases in case of thalassemia (especially beta-thalassemia intermedia). This may lead to iron overload. People with thalassemia may require blood transfusions, which may also result in iron overload. Secondly, iron deficiency is not the cause of thalassemia. Therefore, we should not use Loha Bhasma or Mandur Bhasma for thalassemia.
Now, the question is then what will be the ayurvedic treatment for thalassemia. We should target bone marrow, the root of the cause of the problem. Bone marrow produces red blood cells, which carry hemoglobin. Therefore, we require medicines that improve functions of bone marrow and help it to produce more red blood cells.
For this, you require medicines working on ASHTI & MAJJHA DHATU, according to ayurveda. The best ayurvedic medicines for thalassemia are Mukta Pishti and Abhrak Bhasma, as per ayurvedic principles.
Loha bhasma or Mandur bhasma may not have direct effects on WBC and Platelet counts. However, according to humor involvement or root cause, they may play a role in improving WBC or Platelets. For example, in severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, WBC may be low and platelet count may vary. Platelet count may be on lower side or higher side. In this case, Loha bhasma or Mandur bhasma will definitely work for bringing balance and naturally corrects the WBC or Platelet count.
However, knowing the cause is more important to decide which medicine can work better. In other causes, you require other medications according to the root cause. For example, in upper respiratory tract bacterial infection, WBC count raised and in typhoid, it decreases. Obviously, Loha Bhasma or Mandur bhasma will not work in these cases.
In these cases, you require medicines working on the root cause of these diseases and WBC count will itself normalize. We will soon post articles for ayurvedic treatment of diseases from which you can learn about the practical facts based on pure ayurvedic practice experience.
Thank you from core of my heart for this invaluable information. I would feel blessed if you kindly provide me your mobile no in my mail. I am an Ayurvedic practitioner from Bangladesh.
Sir, for morbid obese people (BMI>35) with fatty liver ayurvedic doctors prescribe Medohar Vidangadi Lauh tabs 1 tab 2 times a day which contains iron in it, my question is that is this medicine harmful if we have normal iron and hemoglobin levels?
It can be used for maximum 6 months continuously without any issue even in people with normal hemoglobin level. However, the long-term use may be harmful, so it may not be recommendable more than 6 months. Six month treatment course with Medohar Vidangadi Lauh should be sufficient for obesity or losing weight if you are taking accurate balance diet for weight loss as recommended by doctor or dietitian.
What is the ayurvedic treatment for sickle cell disease?
We publish article on ayurvedic treatment of sickle cell disease in the month of June.
Hello DR. Jagdev,
Thanks for the very informative article. My wife has hyper-thyroid issue and also is anemic with low haemoglobin and iron count. Hence to improve her anemic condition, I got the patanjali ‘Lauh bhasm’. It comes as 5gram packet. So now since you have mentioned the dosage not to exceed 250mg, I am not sure how to consume this 5 gram packet? Could you pls explain?
250 mg dosage is rarely required. The dosage should be around 125 mg twice daily. According to this dosage, you should divide 5 grams Loha Bhasma into 40 small sachets. Take one sachet twice a day after meal with honey.
How to count 125 mg Lauh bhasm?
You can measure it using digital weighing scale that measure in milligrams.
Alternatively, if bottle contains 10 grams Lauh bhasma, then you can make 80 small sachets (Pudia) dividing it in equal proportion. However, it is not right method and it may not provide exact 125 mg in each sachet, but it will be approximately right dosage.