Brihat Kasturi Bhairav Ras - Medicinal Properties, Ingredients, Indications, Dosage & More

Reference : Bhaishajya Ratnavali

Introduction

Fever of Unknown Origin refers to a persistent elevated body temperature, typically above 38.3°C (101°F) for more than three weeks, without an identifiable cause despite thorough investigation. It poses a diagnostic challenge in modern medicine due to its wide range of possible origins, including infections, autoimmune disorders, malignancies, and rare systemic conditions. In Ayurveda, persistent fever is understood as a manifestation of Jwara, often linked to imbalances in Doshas, particularly Pitta, and accumulation of Ama (toxins). Today we will talk about one such formulation which works wonderfully in managing these kinds of fevers i.e Brihat Kasturi Bhairav Ras. Let’s Start!

Ingredients

1. Kasturi – Musk
2. Karpura – Cinnamomum camphora
3. Tamra Bhasma – Copper calx
4. Flowers of Dhataki – Woodfordia fruticosa
5. Kaunch Beej – Mucuna pruriens
6. Rajata Bhasma – Silver calx
7. Swarna Bhasma – Gold calx
8. Mukta Pishti – Pearl calx
9. Pravala Pishti – Coral calx
10. Lauha Bhasma – Iron calx
11. Patha – Cissampelos pareira
12. Vayavidanga (Vidanga) – Embelia ribes
13. Nagarmotha – Cyperus rotundus
14. Sonth (Dry Ginger) – Zingiber officinale
15. Khas (Vetiver) – Vetiveria zizanioides
16. Purified Hartala (Manikya Rasa) – Orpiment (Purified arsenic trisulfide)
17. Abhraka Bhasma – Mica calx
18. Amla (Amla fruit) – Emblica officinalis (Phyllanthus emblica)

All ingredients to be taken in equal quantity.

Description Of Ingredients

1. Kasturi (Musk)

In Ayurveda, Kasturi is Ushna and Teekshna, helping to stimulate Agni and counter Kapha-induced fever. Scientifically, it exhibits central stimulant and anti-inflammatory effects, aiding thermoregulation and rapid fever resolution.

2. Karpura (Camphor)

Karpura pacifies Kapha and Pitta, clears Avarana of channels, and relieves fever with restlessness. Modern studies show antipyretic, antimicrobial, and mild analgesic actions through TRP channel modulation.

3. Tamra Bhasma (Copper Calx)

Tamra bhasma enhances Yakrit (liver) function and digests Ama, useful in chronic and toxic fevers. Copper demonstrates antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and enzymatic co-factor roles in immune defense.

4. Flowers Of Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa)

Dhataki is Sheetala and Raktapitta-shamaka, helpful in inflammatory and infectious fevers. It contains tannins and flavonoids with antipyretic and antimicrobial properties.

5. Kaunch Beej (Mucuna pruriens)

Kaunch acts as a Balya and Rasayana, restoring strength during prolonged fever. L-DOPA and antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress and support neuro-immune balance.

6. Rajata Bhasma (Silver Calx)

Rajata bhasma pacifies Pitta and stabilizes Ojas, aiding fevers with burning and debility. Silver exhibits antimicrobial and immunoregulatory effects, limiting pathogen load.

7. Swarna Bhasma (Gold Calx)

Swarna bhasma is a potent Rasayana that enhances immunity and cellular resilience in recurrent fevers. Modern research shows immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity at nano-particle levels.

8. Mukta Pishti (Pearl Calx)

Mukta pishti is Sheetala and Pitta-shamaka, reducing fever-associated heat and irritability. Rich in calcium compounds, it supports neuromuscular calm and anti-stress responses.

9. Pravala Pishti (Coral Calx)

Pravala balances aggravated Pitta and supports cardiac stability in high-grade fevers. It shows antacid, cooling, and mineral-supportive actions in systemic inflammation.

10. Lauha Bhasma (Iron Calx)

Lauha bhasma improves Rakta dhatu and corrects post-febrile anemia and weakness. Bioavailable iron supports oxygen transport and immune cell function.

11. Patha (Cissampelos pareira)

Patha pacifies Pitta-Kapha and is indicated in Vishama Jwara (intermittent fevers). Alkaloids like berberine show antipyretic and antimicrobial activity.

12. Vayavidanga (Embelia ribes)

Vidanga removes Ama and Krimi, useful in fevers linked to parasitic or gut toxins. Embelin exhibits antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

13. Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus)

Nagarmotha balances all three Doshas and corrects Agni dushti in fever. It contains sesquiterpenes with proven antipyretic and analgesic actions.

14. Sonth (Dry Ginger)

Sonth is Ushna and Deepana, digesting Ama and relieving chills in fever. Gingerols inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, producing antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.

15. Khas (Vetiveria zizanioides)

Khas is Sheetala and Daha-prashamana, relieving burning sensation and thirst in fever. Vetiver exhibits antioxidant and mild antipyretic properties.

16. Purified Hartala (Manikya Rasa)

Hartala, after purification, acts on stubborn and toxic fevers by breaking Dosha-Ama complexes. Arsenic sulfide compounds show controlled antimicrobial and immune-modulating effects when properly processed.

17. Abhraka Bhasma (Mica Calx)

Abhraka is a Rasayana supporting tissue repair and strength in chronic fevers. It improves mitochondrial function and enhances bioavailability of nutrients.

18. Amla (Emblica officinalis)

Amla pacifies Pitta, enhances Ojas, and prevents post-fever debility. Rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, it shows strong antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity.

Method Of Preparation

• First, triturate Kasturi and Karpura for 3 hours in the juice of Calotropis gigantea leaves.
• Then mix the fine cloth-filtered powder of the remaining drugs and triturate again for 3 days using juice of Calotropis gigantea leaves.
• At last Prepare pills of 1–1 ratti each.

Special Instruction

Cover the medicine well after daily use so that Kasturi and Karpura do not evaporate excessively.

Indications And Clinical Use

• The original author has described Brihat Kasturi Bhairav as effective in all types of fevers, including Visham Jwara, Dwandwa Jwara, Bhautik Jwara, Kama Jwara, Abhishangaja Jwara, Shatrujanya Jwara, Sannipata Jwara, Dakini-krita Jwara, and fevers arising from Grahani disorders. In such conditions, it should be given with ginger juice.
• This formulation is deepana (digestive stimulant), vata-hara, and mastishka-shamak (calming to the nervous system). It is useful in cough, diabetes, tuberculosis, chronic diarrhea, both new and old irregular fevers, relapsing fevers, fever with tremors (Dhunvarti), and fever due to bhuta-prakopa. In these diseases, ginger juice is administered as Anupana.
• The chief ingredient is Kasturi. Whenever there is a need for its principal actions—namely immediate neutralization of toxins and digestion of undigested ama—this Brihat Kasturi Bhairav formulation is employed.
• In Sannipata conditions: When repeated attacks occur, or when symptoms of vata aggravation such as delirium, unconsciousness, mental instability, restlessness, etc. predominate, or when fever rises above 102°F, this medicine produces remarkable benefits. If the abdomen contains severely vitiated accumulated waste, purification of the bowels should first be performed using castor oil or glycerin suppository.
• In Sannipata fever, improperly digested and vitiated rasa often remains present in the digestive system and blood, which on entering circulation produces complications. If excessive sweating, coldness, mild delirium, thirst, very rapid pulse, tremors, and debility appear, this medicine should be administered with Aakadi Kwath or Tagaradi Kwath.
• In delirious Sannipata, anupana of Tagaradi Kwath is especially beneficial and If delirium and unconsciousness occur, Brahmi (Bacopa monnerie) should also be given along with Tagaradi Kwath.
• Sutikajwara (Puerperal Fever): Specifically, when toxins enter the blood during the postpartum period, Sutikajwara develops. Characteristic symptoms include vata-dominant aggravation so When these conditions are present, administering this rasa along with Dashamoola decoction produces immediate benefit.
• In mild Kasturi Bhairav, Vatsanabha is included; therefore, when weakness of the heart is present, it is not given repeatedly. In such conditions, Brihat Kasturi Bhairav is administered decisively. This rasa is considered excellent in Vatashana Sannipata. Not only this, it provides good benefits in pittaja, Vataja, and vata-kapha dominant fevers. It strengthens both the heart and brain, digests ama, and thereby helps in curing fever.
• Chronic And Persistent Fevers – When fever persists for many days, the disease becomes lodged in the dhatus along with toxins. In such fevers, when cardiac dysfunction, insomnia, delirium, and marked physical weakness appear, Brihat Kasturi Bhairav provides faster relief than other medicines.
• Irregular Fevers – Sometimes due to improper diet or errors in treatment, fever does not subside for many days, weakness increases, the patient becomes irritable, fever rises repeatedly at irregular times and remains mild during intervals. Enlargement of the liver and spleen may also occur. In such aggravated fevers, when protection of the heart and brain becomes necessary, Brihat Kasturi Bhairav is given priority.
• Mental Disorders – In individuals of delicate constitution, men, women, and children, fear during waking or dreaming leads to involuntary passage of stool and urine. Subsequently, digestive and cardiac functions become impaired. Sometimes the fear impression becomes so strong that recollection repeatedly occurs at intervals, again causing loss of stool and urine. This is considered a psychological disorder. Some patients develop fever, some do not; some develop bleeding disorders and dysentery. The root cause of all these disorders is mental affliction. Therefore, administering Brihat Kasturi Bhairav in such conditions acts like a blessing. Along with these measures encouragement of mental courage and enthusiasm should also be adopted, and remedies that strengthen the mind should be used.
• Abdominal Worm Infestation – When worms infest the intestines, anemia and jaundice develop. In these conditions, the intestines should first be purified using anthelmintic and purgative medicines. Thereafter, Brihat Kasturi Bhairav is administered to relieve symptoms such as vata aggravation, itching, dryness of skin, debility, loss of appetite, and other associated disorders.
• Unmada (Psychosis) – Sometimes due to fear and mental affliction, fever or diarrhea does not occur, but excessive vata aggravation leads to the manifestation of unmada. This is called Bhuta-prakopa Unmada. It may remain calm for some time, then mental disturbances arise, leading to impulsive bravery, running, shouting, jumping, laughing, and crying. In such conditions, Brihat Kasturi Bhairav or other Kasturi-containing vata-pacifying medicines are administered.
• Antravidradi (Enteric fever), Kshat (wound), Vrikkashmari (kidney stones) induces Pus formation. As the condition progresses, chills appear and fever manifests two to three times daily. Although sweating occurs, it does not produce lightness; instead, weakness increases. The urine becomes turbid or pus-like in appearance due to rakta-dushti and āma elimination. Fever may rise to approximately 103°F. In such conditions, Brihat Kasturi Bhairav is administered to control fever, stabilize Vāta, and strengthen cardiac function, while simultaneous treatment is undertaken to remove the primary underlying pathology.

Dosage And Adjuvant

1–2 pills along with ginger juice, coconut water, decoction of Aakadi Kwath, Pratyadi Kwath, Tagaradi Kwath, or Devadari Kwath. It is administered with Belgiri, Jeera powder, and honey in Aamatisara, Grahani, and Jwaratisara.

Contraindications

Brihat Kasturi Bhairav Ras is contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, children, individuals with weak digestion, liver or kidney disorders, metal allergies, and those with aggravated Pitta.

Conclusion

Brihat Kasturi Bhairav Ras plays a significant role in managing fevers, particularly those that are persistent or difficult to diagnose. By balancing the Doshas and supporting the body’s natural immune response, it helps reduce excessive heat, inflammation, and associated symptoms. Its carefully purified mineral and herbal formulation ensures potency while minimizing toxicity when used appropriately. If combined with proper diet, lifestyle, and Ayurvedic therapies, it aids in restoring overall vitality and strength.