Shwas Kuthar Ras - Medical Properties, Indications, Dosage & More

Reference

Ayurved Sar Sangreh/ Ras- rasayan prakaran /Page-457

Abstract

Shwas Kuthar Ras is a time-honoured herbo-mineral formulation in Ayurveda, renowned for its efficacy in managing respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, and chronic cough. In the current era, where environmental pollutants and lifestyle factors contribute to respiratory ailments, this formulation offers a holistic approach to respiratory health. It acts by balancing the Vata and Kapha doshas, and addresses the root causes of respiratory issues, providing relief from symptoms and enhancing overall pulmonary function.

Introduction

Shwas Kuthar Ras is derived from the words "Shwas" (breath) and "Kuthar" (axe). Shwas Kuthar Ras metaphorically acts as an 'axe' cutting through breathing difficulties. This classical Ayurvedic medicine is formulated to alleviate various respiratory conditions by targeting the underlying doshic imbalances. Its composition includes potent herbs and minerals that synergistically work to clear respiratory channels, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the respiratory system.

Classical Indications

Shwasa (Dyspnea)

Ingredients

• Maricha Churna (Powder of Piper nigrum) - 2 part
• Shuddha Parada (Purified Mercury) - 1 part
• Shuddha Sulphur (Purified Sulphur) - 1 part
• Shuddha Vatsanabha (Purified Aconitum ferox) - 1 part
• Shuddha Tankan (Purified Borax) - 1 part
• Shuddha Manahshila (Purified Realgar) - 1 part
• Shunthi Churna (Powder of Zingiber officinale) - 1 part
• Pippali Churna (Powder of Piper longum) – 1 part

Shwash Kuthar Ras by Planet Ayurveda

INGREDIENTS DESCRIPTION

1. Shuddha Parada (Purified Mercury)

It possesses Madhura (sweet) vipaka and Ushna Veerya (hot potency). It is known for its Yogavahi (catalytic) and Rasayana (rejuvenating) properties, i.e., it enhances the efficacy of all ingredients. It pacifies Vata and Kapha and helps manage chronic respiratory disorders.

2. Shuddha Gandhaka (Purified Sulphur)

It has Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent) rasa, and Ushna Veerya (hot potency); it pacifies Kapha and Vata. It promotes skin health, supports digestion, and helps clear respiratory tract obstructions in respiratory infections.

3. Shuddha Vatsanabha (Purified Aconitum ferox)

It has Tikta-Katu (bitter-pungent) rasa and Ushna Veerya (hot potency). It pacifies Vata and Kapha and is known for its deepan (digestive) and shwasahara (anti-asthmatic) effects. It is used carefully for respiratory distress and fever-related conditions.

4. Shuddha Tankana (Purified Borax)

It has Tikta-Katu rasa (bitter-pungent taste) and Ushna Veerya (hot potency); it pacifies Kapha and Vata dosha. It has lekhana (scraping) and mucolytic properties, which are useful in asthma, productive cough, and throat congestion.

5. Shuddha Manahshila (Purified Realgar)

It possesses Tikta-Kashaya rasa (bitter-astringent taste) and Ushna Veerya (hot potency), pacifying Kapha and Vata. It helps reduce inflammation and remove toxins from the lungs, providing relief in chronic respiratory issues like bronchitis.

6. Shunthi (Zingiber officinale – Dry Ginger)

It has Katu rasa and Ushna Veerya (hot potency), pacifying Vata and Kapha. It is deepana-pachana (digestive and carminative) and effective in managing nausea, cough, and digestive upsets.

7. Pippali (Piper longum – Long Pepper)

With Katu rasa (pungent taste) and Anushna-Sheeta Veerya (neither hot nor cold potency), it balances all three doshas. Acts as a bioenhancer and expectorant, supporting digestion, immunity, and respiratory ease.

8. Maricha (Piper nigrum – Black Pepper)

It has Katu rasa (pungent taste) and Ushna Veerya (hot potency), pacifying Kapha and Vata. It is known for its deepana and pachana (Digestive and carminative), and Kaphaghna action; it clears phlegm and improves appetite in conditions involving cold and cough.

Method of Preparation

The preparation involves triturating purified mercury and sulphur to form a black sulphide of mercury (Kajjali). Subsequently, the fine powders of the remaining ingredients are added, and the mixture is thoroughly blended. The resultant mass is then rolled into tablets of 1-1 ratti each (125 mg) and dried in the shade to preserve potency.

Dosha Impact

Balances Vata and Kapha doshas.

Medicinal Properties

• In Tamaka Shwasa (Bronchial Asthma), use with Sitopaladi Churna and honey + ginger juice to relieve bronchospasm.
• In Kaphaja Kasa (cough with expectorant), combine with Talisadi Churna and honey to reduce a productive cough.
• In Hikka (Hiccups), use with Lavangadi Vati and warm water or ginger decoction to calm spasms.
• In Krimi-janya Shwasa (Dyspnea due to Microbial respiratory infections), combine with Vidanga Churna (Powder of Embelia ribes) and honey + lukewarm water for deworming and kapha-vata balance.
• In Chronic Rhinitis (Peenasa), use with Trikatu Churna and ginger decoction to decongest the sinuses.
• In Urdhwaga Amlapitta (Reflux disorders), give with Avipattikar Churna and warm water to manage reflux and vata-kapha.
• In Sannipataja Jwara with Ama (chronic fevers), combine with Trikatu and Godanti Bhasma, with tulsi-ginger decoction to reduce fever and breathlessness.
• This is used in episodes of hysteria/migraine/epilepsy/unconsciousness conditions for bringing back to consciousness as a nasal administration of its powder.

Indications

• Asthma, breathlessness (Shwasa)
• Kasa (Cough)
• Chronic rhinitis (Peenasa)
• Kapha-Vata predominant disorders
• Bronchitis
• Dyspnea
• Anorexia

Dosage

125 – 250 mg once or twice daily, preferably before or after meals, as directed by an Ayurvedic physician. Usually advised to be administered with honey or warm water to enhance absorption and efficacy.

Contraindications

• Not recommended during pregnancy and lactation.
• In cases with heart disease-related dyspnea.
• It should be avoided in individuals with cardiac disorders.
• Its overdose may lead to toxic effects; hence, strict medical supervision is advised.

Why Choose Planet Ayurveda's Shwas Kuthar Ras

• Formulated under the guidance of expert Ayurvedic physicians, adhering to classical texts.
• Manufactured using high-quality, purified ingredients, ensuring safety and efficacy.
• Free from chemicals, preservatives, and artificial additives.
• Supports respiratory health by balancing Vata and Kapha doshas.
• 100% natural and vegetarian formulation.

Conclusion

Shwas Kuthar Ras stands as a testament to the profound wisdom of Ayurveda in managing respiratory ailments. Thus, by harmonising the Vata and Kapha doshas, it addresses the root causes of respiratory disorders, offering relief from symptoms like cough, breathlessness, and indigestion. Its holistic approach not only alleviates symptoms but also fortifies the respiratory system, enhancing overall well-being. This formulation, when prepared and administered under expert supervision, as exemplified by Planet Ayurveda, Shwas Kuthar Ras serves as a potent ally in the journey towards respiratory health.

Shwas Kuthar Ras - Ingredients, Method Of Preparation & Its Uses

INTRODUCTION

According to ayurveda breath is known as prana vayu which is really important as this vayu is responsible for performing various functions such as it is responsible for controlling functions related to brain, heart, chewing and swallowing of food, helps in process of salivation, sneezing and process of breathing. Breathing is the main function of pranavayu as breath is the synonym of prana and the medicine which is responsible for the treatment of all the breathing disorders and works wonders for the lungs in treating the disorders which are even chronic.

INGREDIENTS USED IN SHWAS KUTHAR RAS

Following are the ingredients in shwas kuthar ras:

1. Shuddha Parada (Purified mercury)
2. Shuddha Gandhak (Purified sulfur)
3. Shuddha Vatsanabha (Purified Aconitum ferox)
4. Tankan Bhasma (Borax calx)
5. Manashila (Arsenic disulphide)
6. Shunthi (Zingiber officinalis)
7. Pippali (Piper longum)
8. Maricha (Piper nigrum)

Ref. Ayurvedic Text - [ Ayurveda saar sangraha ]

DESCRIPTION OF INGREDIENTS

All the ingredients in this formulation have a special medicinal benefits which are mentioned below:-

1. Shuddha parada - It is known as the rasendra raj i.e King of the minerals in ras shastra as it has many benefits on the body as it can be given in any type of disorders due to its yogavahi nature i.e it will help in better absorption of any medications or herbs with which it is administered. It has all the 6 tastes, and has a rejuvenating effect on the body. It helps in balancing all the doshas in the body, hot in potency with unctuous or oily in nature. It helps in clearing the channels of the body and also it will act as an expectorant.
2. Shuddha gandhak - It is known as the purified sulfur and which is made from the purified sulfur which has pungent, bitter and astringent taste, flowy in nature so it is easy to transport in minute channels of the body, potency of sulfur if hot, Vipaka (Taste conversion after digestion is sweet. It helps in igniting the digestive fire due to hot potency, pungent and bitter taste will help in treating the infection and cleansing or detoxifying the blood. It has been said that there is no uprasa more efficacious than gandhak in rasashastra.
3. Shuddha vatsanabha - It is a type of planet based poison but when used in purified form will have a therapeutic effect on the body. It has a sweet, pungent, bitter and astringent taste. Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion. Potency of the vatsnabh is hot and helps in balancing all the three doshas from the body. It is helpful in balancing vata and kapha dosha from the body, due to its bitter, pungent and astringent in taste it will act as a catalyst for the other herbs in it. Due to its piercing and teekshna nature it will help in treating cough.
4. Tankan bhasma - Tankan bhasma is pungent in taste with hot in nature, which helps in balancing the vata dosha from the body. It is very useful in the treatment of productive cough, bronchitis, wheezing, asthma, congestion etc. Borax is purified and processed to form the tankan bhasma and is also very useful for scanty menstrual flow like or in the amenorrhea as it increases the menstrual flow.
5. Manashila - It is pungent and astringent in nature. Hot in potency with unctuous in nature. Arsenic helps in balancing the kapha and pitta dosha from the body. It is very useful in conditions like cough, cold, bronchitis, asthma etc due to its hot potency. It is also very useful in skin infections such as syphilis, gout, herpes etc.
6. Shunthi - Dried ginger is used for making this formulation. It is pungent in taste and hot in potency. Sunthi is light to digest drying in nature with strong and piercing properties. It undergoes sweet taste conversion after digestion and has a hot potency. As it balances kapha so it will be helpful in treating lung diseases. It is a very good appetizer and improves digestion.
7. Pippali - It is also known as long pepper which helps in balancing the vata and kapha dosha from the body. Acharya charak has classified this herb in the following subgroups such as deepniya (Herbs improving digestion), kanthya (Herbs good for throat disorders), Asthapanopaga (Herbs useful in decoction enema), sheetprashmana (Herbs used to suppress cold, cough), kasahara (Herbs used to treat cough) etc. Due to the hot potency it will treat the respiratory disorders.
8. Maricha - Maricha will act as a deepniya (Increases digestive fire), Shulaprashmana (Analgesic), krumi ghana (Anti parasitic). It has sharp properties and light to digest with the pungent taste. Marich is hot in potency. Maricha is the best herb to reverse the sluggishness of the pranavaha srotas (Respiratory channels) and also reduce the secretion of the mucus. It helps in opening the channels of the body so facilitates the action of all the ingredients of the chitrak haritaki i.e. it acts as a catalyst.

METHOD OF PREPARATION

Following method of preparation is used for making this formulation which is mentioned below:-

1. First make the kajjali of parad and gandhak in mortar and pestle.
2. After that add all other ingredients in it and mix them.
3. Put little water in this mixture and mix it for some time until it achieves the consistency of a fine paste.
4. Make tablets of 1-1 ratti and store it.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

This medicine posses certain medicinal properties which are mentioned below:

1. It helps in digestion
2. It helps in igniting the digestive fire
3. It helps in anorexia
4. It acts as an antitussive
5. It acts as an expectorant
6. Acts as an anti inflammatory

DOSHA KARMA

It helps in balancing the vata and kapha dosha from the body.

Dosage

It can be taken in the dose of 125-250 mg twice a day before or after the food.

CLASSICAL INDICATIONS

Classically this medicine is used both for ingesting and inhaling

1. When inhaled it has the potential to wake a faint person, in the condition of epilepsy, hysteria etc.
2. It is helpful in treating all types of kaas shwas i.e breathing difficulties or cough.
3. Vataj-kapaj head diseases.
4. Cold
5. Swar bhed (Hoarseness of voice)
6. Emaciation

INDICATIONS

This medicine can be indicated in disorders such as:

It is helpful in treating cough, cold, asthma, bronchitis, anorexia and indigestion. It is also helpful in treating the inflammation of the lungs. It can also be used for the treatment of hysteria, epilepsy or fainting. It is also a good rejuvenating agent so it helps in forming new tissues. It will improve the quality of voice so it helps in treating hoarseness. It will treat conditions like COPD, emphysema, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, cystic fibrosis, pleural effusion etc.

SIDE EFFECTS

Usually it does not have any side effects but it should only be taken after consulting an expert ayurvedic doctor.

CONCLUSION

Shwas kuthar ras is a classical ayurvedic medicine which is really very effective for treating many respiratory conditions which can be acute or chronic also. This medicine comes in tablet form which is provided by planet ayurveda. Planet ayurveda's medicines are made from pure and authentic herbs also made under the guidance of expert ayurvedic doctors. To treat respiratory conditions, planet ayurveda's shwas kuthar ras is very effective.