Sphatika Bhasma (Shubhra Bhasma)

Sphatika Bhasma (Shubhra Bhasma) is prepared from Alum (FITKARI). It is used for the treatment of bleeding disorders, respiratory diseases, and skin diseases.

In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used for chest pain due to pneumonia, chronic cough, bronchitis, vomiting in tuberculosis, hematemesis (blood in vomiting), menorrhagia, metrorrhagia & menometrorrhagia, chronic diarrhea, and abdominal pain due to lead toxicity. Its external application is also beneficial for skin problems such as herpes, leucoderma, and vitiligo.

Ingredients (Composition)

Sphatika Bhasma (Shubhra Bhasma) contains a calcined form of Alum (FITKARI).

Chemical Composition

Sphatika Bhasma contains:

1. Aluminium Sulphate
2. Potassium Sulphate

It is also called Potash Alum, which is colorless and water-soluble compound. It is commonly used in medicine for its astringent and styptic actions. It has following chemical formula:

K₂SO₄.Al₂(SO₄)₃.24H₂O

Pharmacological Actions

Sphatika Bhasma (Shubhra Bhasma) has astringent and styptic properties for which it is commonly used.

Ayurvedic Properties

It has KASAYA (Astringent), MADHURA (Sweet) and AMAL (Sour) taste (RASA).

Medicinal Properties

1. Astringent
2. Hemostatic (styptic) – Check bleeding
3. Anthelmintic
4. Mild antipyretic
5. Antidiarrheal
6. Antipruritic (as an external application)
7. Mucolytic
8. Antibacterial

Therapeutic Indications

Sphatika Bhasma (Shubhra Bhasma) is helpful in following health conditions.

Internal (Oral) Use

1. Whooping cough (pertussis)
2. Chest pain due to pneumonia
3. Bronchitis
4. Vomiting in tuberculosis
5. Abdominal pain due to lead toxicity
6. Diarrhea
7. Hematochezia (rectal bleeding)
8. Bleeding piles
9. Hematemesis (blood in vomiting)
10. Menorrhagia
11. Metrorrhagia
12. Menometrorrhagia
13. Intestinal parasite infestation
14. Malaria

External Use

1. Bleeding
2. Wounds
3. Eczema
4. Pruritus
5. Leucorrhea
6. Otorrhea – Ear discharge

Sphatika Bhasma Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Sphatika Bhasma (Shubhra Bhasma) has following health benefits and medicinal uses:

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

The internal use of Sphatika Bhasma helps to pacify recurrent cough attacks in Pertussis. It has antibacterial activities, which also appear against Bordetella pertussis (or B. pertussis). In some patients, vomiting may also occur. It also helps to stop vomiting. A few days course with this medicine helps to get rid of whooping cough.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia has four stages.

1. Consolidation
2. Red Hepatization
3. Grey Hepatization
4. Resolution

Sphatika Bhasma is helpful during first two stages: Consolidation and Red Hepatization. In the first stage, pleurisy occurs and the alveolar air is replaced by cellular exudates. In the second stage, alveoli are filled with fibrinous exudates and lungs become hard like liver. In these both stages, Sphatika Bhasma helps to absorb mucus, and exudates and pacifies the disease.

Abdominal Pain due to Lead Toxicity

Lead Toxicity causes a severe abdominal pain and cramping. In ayurveda, Sphatika Bhasma is a drug of choice for abdominal pain occurring due to lead toxicity. Generally, it is used along with Karpur (camphor) and Ahiphena. Ayurvedic purgative medicine is also given for encouraging elimination of lead through defecation. For this purpose, Swadishta Virechan Churna, Panchsakar Churna, etc. are used.

Menorrhagia, Metrorrhagia & Menometrorrhagia

The astringent and hemostatic actions help to check bleeding occurring during Menorrhagia, Metrorrhagia, and Menometrorrhagia. It is commonly used along with Bolbaddha Ras. However, this type of treatment is not an ideal treatment and it only provides a temporary relief. For an ideal treatment, other medicines including Ashokarishta, Praval Pishti, Kamdudha Ras, Yashtimadhu, Amla etc. should also be used.

Dosage & Administration

How to Take Sphatika Bhasma

Safety Profile

Sphatika Bhasma (Shubhra Bhasma) should be used under the supervision of an ayurvedic physician. Its unsupervised use can be unsafe. It is only suitable for a short-term use. The long-term use can have many side effects.

Side Effects of Sphatika Bhasma

The long-term use or high dosage of Sphatika Bhasma can cause the following side effects:

1. Mouth dryness
2. Gastritis – inflammation of gastric mucosa
3. Intestinal inflammation
4. Ulcers (it can occur with high dosage)
5. Nausea and Vomiting (it can occur with high dosage and if Bhasma is raw and not well-processed.)

Pregnancy & Lactation

The safety profile of Sphatika Bhasma is not well established for pregnant women and lactating mothers. It is best to avoid it during pregnancy. Consult an ayurvedic physician before using Sphatika Bhasma during breastfeeding.