Sutshekhar Ras

Sutshekhar Ras (also spelled as Sootshekhar Rasa) is an important medicine used in ayurveda, which acts on PITTA DOSHA and reduces symptoms like heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, epigastric tenderness, hiccup, fever, breathing troubles, headache etc. It has wide range of indications, which will be discussed further in this article.

Ingredients (Composition)

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS

Sutshekhar Ras can be given when PITTA is associated with AMA (toxins), the condition is called SAMAPITTA. The signs of SAMAPITTA are:

• Heartburn (burning sensation in the chest)
• Burning sensation in the throat
• Acid Reflux
• Foul smell
• Heaviness (mainly associated with other symptoms of Pitta aggravation)
• Headache with burning sensation and pain increases with head massage or pressure on the head, feeling of tenderness in head when pressed

Sutshekhar Ras is effective in all conditions in which these symptoms appear. It reduces TIKSHNA (Sharp or Penetrating power) and AMAL (Sourness) qualities of Pitta Dosha. Secondly, it also acts on VATA DOSHA and helps in all diseases occurring due to aggravation of Vata and Pitta together.

Medicinal Properties

1. Aam Pachak (Detoxifier)
2. Carminative
3. Digestive Stimulant
4. Antiulcerogenic
5. Antacid
6. Cholagogue (promotes the discharge of bile)
7. Antispasmodic
8. Cardioprotective
9. Antianginal
10. Antiarrhythmic
11. Neuroprotective
12. Anti-inflammatory
13. Antioxidant
14. Febrifuge
15. Antitussive
16. Anticonvulsant
17. Antidepressant

Therapeutic Indications

Sutshekhar Ras is helpful in following health conditions.

• Indigestion or Dyspepsia
• Excess acid formation in the stomach
• Gastritis
• Peptic Ulcer
• Heartburn with burning sensation or linked with vertigo
• Abdominal pain
• Burning sensation in the abdomen
• Vertigo
• Headache
• Migraine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Motion sickness (nausea or vomiting during travelling)
• Dry Cough (Vata and Pitta type of cough)
• Irritable bowel syndrome linked with Pitta aggravation
• Diarrhea with burning sensation
• Sour taste of mouth or sour throat
• Hiccup
• Poor appetite linked with indigestion or dyspepsia
• Fever (as antipyretic for high grade fever)
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Schizophrenia linked with Pitta aggravation
• Hepatitis – all types (also very useful in hepatitis B and C)
• Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
• Somniloquy (sleep-talking)
• Convulsions

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

As per above list, Sutshekhar Ras has wide range of indications. Its main action is on Pitta and Vata dosha and can be used in all diseases with aggravation of Pitta and Vata that are related with following organs:

1. All organs of abdomen – stomach, liver, small intestine, large intestine, colon, pancreas, spleen, and gall bladder.
2. Heart and blood vessels
3. Brain and nerves
4. Lungs

Here we will discuss benefits and medicinal uses of Sutshekhar Ras in detail for a few health conditions.

Gastritis, Hyperacidity, GERD, Heartburn, Acid Reflux

Sutshekhar Ras reduces the increased sourness and sharpness or penetrating powder of Pitta. These things are responsible for increasing acid production in the stomach and increasing the sensitivity of the gastric mucosa. The increased sensitivity leads to inflammation of the lining of the stomach, which is called gastritis. Same things occur in hyperacidity, heartburn, GERD or indigestion, but the mechanism may be different. For example, in heartburn and GERD, acid backs up into the food pipe due to irritated esophageal sphincter. The continuous irritation of the sphincter leads to its malfunctions. This irritation occurs due to increased sharpness of the Pitta dosha, according to ayurveda.

As Sutshekhar Ras acts on these things and restores the balance, so gives relief from all gastric diseases occurring due to this. Therefore, it is highly useful in hyperacidity, gastritis, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), or acid reflux. It soothes the gastric mucosa, and linings of the oesophagus, and esophageal sphincter, which helps to reduce their irritation and ultimately cures these problems.

Esophagitis

Similarly, Sutshekhar Ras works to reduce the inflammation of the esophagus, as it works in gastritis. In this case, it should be used in the reduced dosage of about 65 mg along with Yashtimadhu, Shatavari, Giloy Satva, Praval Pishti and Mukta Pishti. This combination can provide relief in this condition within a few weeks. It reduces chest pain, epigastric tenderness, and pain or difficulty during occurring swallowing. It also prevents the leakage of stomach acids back into the esophagus.

Loss of Appetite

Sutshekhar Ras is a good remedy when loss of appetite is linked with Pitta conditions like heartburn, acid reflux, or hyperacidity as discussed above. It maintains and restores the natural balance in acid secretion and reduces gastric irritation. The second action also appears on the mind and improves the desire to eat.

Many people with liver disorders also reported poor appetite. If Pitta is the main condition in other associated symptoms, then Sutshekhar Ras is useful. If condition is likely to be Kapha, then Arogyavardhini Vati is more beneficial.

Motion Sickness (Travel Sickness)

Sutshekhar Ras is highly effective medicine for motion sickness. If it is taken half an hour before travelling, it prevents nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, feeling of restlessness, and dizziness.

In long journeys, it should be taken after every 4 to 6 hours in dosage of 250 mg for adults and 125 mg for children.

Primary Dysmenorrhea (Spasmodic Dysmenorrhea)

Sutshekhar Ras has antispasmodic action. It also regulates the muscle functions and balances the Vata and Pitta disturbances in the abdomen including pelvic region. It reduces sharp cramps in the abdomen and pelvis that occur at the start of menstrual flow. According to ayurveda, this type of pain is linked with mainly Vata, but also associated with Pitta, so Sutshekhar Ras is drug of choice for this in ayurveda. In acute cases, Praval Pishti should also be given along with Sutshekhar Ras.

Somniloquy (Sleep Talking)

According to ayurveda, disturbance in Vata and Pitta balance can cause aggressive types of dreams. High grade fever also causes similar symptom. However, in fever, Sutshekhar Ras Gold lowers body temperature and relaxes the mind, which gives relief from sleep talking in fever.

When Somniloquy occurs in sleep disorders, its most common cause is disturbed dreams, which are due to aggravated vata and pitta. Sutshekhar Ras pacifies Vata and Pitta, which helps in inducing soothing feeling, relaxes the mind, reduces stress and ultimately gives relief from the sleep talking and results in sound sleep.

Headache & Migraine

Sutshekhar Ras gives relief from headache and migraine. In particular, it provides relief from Vata and Pitta type headache characterized with following symptoms:

• Throbbing pain
• Pulsating pain
• Migrating pain from front to back of the head
• Stiffness
• Anxiety
• Shooting pain
• Burning pain
• Piercing
• Penetrating pain
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Burning sensation in head or eyes
• Pain worsen with hot sun, bright light or high temperature or by spicy food

All these symptoms denote the aggravated Vata and Pitta. Sutshekhar Ras provides relief in all these cases. In Pitta cases, Praval Pishti and Mukta Pishti should also be added for enhancing effects of Sutshekhar.

Dosage & Administration

Sutshekhar Ras is available with gold and without gold. The dosage of both should be the same. Sutshekhar Ras Gold is more effective as compared to Sutshekhar Ras without gold. The actual formula of Sutshekhar Ras contains gold as an essential ingredient.

Safety Profile

The safety profile of Sutshekhar Ras is not evaluated on modern parameters, but it is considerably well-tolerated when processed according to ancient techniques described in ayurveda texts. The most of ingredients are detoxified before adding in it. The heavy metal content in it may be concern of modern science, but the evaluation becomes essential for naturally processed medicines before declaring anything based on raw metal’s toxicity. Similar toxicity is defined in ayurveda when metals are consumed in raw form, but the very opposite effects are mentioned for Bhasma when processed according to Bhasma making procedures. Still it is controversial subject, which requires more research.

Side Effects of Sutshekhar Ras

There are no short-term or acute side effects reported, but long-term use (i.e. more than 3 months) should be discouraged. Follow your doctor’s instructions and discuss in detail for possible benefits and long-term use adverse effects if he advised for more than 3 months.

Toxicity

The toxicity with Sutshekhar Ras is yet unknown.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Sutshekhar Ras is not generally recommended in pregnancy. Let your doctor decide whether it is needed or not if no alternative measure is available. Many ayurvedic doctors use it in emergency for severe nausea and vomiting occurring in pregnancy.

It can be used by lactating mothers if required, but it should be used under supervision of your doctor and if it is essentially required and no other safer alternative is available.

Contraindications

All Ras preparations including Sutshekhar Ras are contraindicated in Kidney Diseases.

Drug Interactions

Drug Interactions with Sutshekhar Ras are yet unknown.

Warning & Disclaimer: This medicine contains metal content. Ayur Times does not recommend the use of this medicine. Read More