Shringa bhasma

Shringa Bhasma is a calcined ayurvedic
medicine used as expectorant. The
expectorant action of Shringa Bhasma is
comparable with all modern/allopathic
expectorants. Shringa Bhasma is
beneficial in pleurisy, pneumonia,
influenza, productive cough, common
cold, chest pain, angina pectoris, chronic
fever, fever in tuberculosis, bone
disorders, rickets, pyorrhea,
pyelonephritis etc.
Ingredients &
Composition
Shringa Bhasma is prepared from deer
horns (Deer Antler Velvet). The bhasma
is made from the dry and solidified antler
pieces.
However, deer antlers have very nutritive
value if they obtained before maturing
(before solidifying into bones), but in
ayurveda, immature horns are not used
for making bhasma. Mature antlers still
have a good nutritive value, but the
burning process (calcination) used for
making bhasma in ayurveda destroys
most of its nutrients and only
therapeutic value remains.
The burnt powder of the dry antlers is
further processed in latex of Calotropis
Procera (AAK, Rubber bush, apple of
Sodom) and again calcined in absence
of air. This process is repeated for 3
times to obtain a good quality of
bhasma. This process also increases its
expectorant and mucolytic properties.
Chemical Composition
However, the chemical composition of
Deer Antlers is altered during the
process of calcination used for making
Shringa Bhasma and most of nutrients
get destroyed. Still Shring Bhasma
contains calcium, zinc, magnesium and
some heat stable amino acids. Heat
stable amino acids also decrease during
the process of calcination.
Medicinal Properties
Shringa Bhasma mainly acts as
expectorant and mucolytic. A list of
medicinal properties of Shring bhasma is
given below:
Expectorant
Mucolytic
Antitussive
Bacteriostatic
Antibacterial
Antimicrobial
Mild Anodyne
Mild Antipyretic
Therapeutic Indications
Shringa Bhasma is used in respiratory
disorders accompany with a productive
cough, wheezing, chest congestion,
chest tightness, chest pain or fever. The
main therapeutic indications include:
Productive Cough
Bronchitis
Pleurisy
Pneumonia
Intercostal Neuralgia
Influenza
Common Cold
Chest Pain
Angina Pectoris
Chronic Fever or Fever in
Tuberculosis
Rickets
Pyorrhea
Pyelonephritis
Benefits & Medicinal Uses
Shringa Bhasma is mainly beneficial in
respiratory disorders and bone
disorders. It also provides strength the
bones, joints, cartilages, lungs and
heart.
Productive Cough
Shringa Bhasma helps clearing the lungs
and airways. It is used when there is a
need to regulate mucous secretion. In
ayurveda, the following combination is
helpful in management of productive
cough.
Remedies Quantity
Sitopaladi Churna 2 grams *
Shringa Bhasma 125 mg *
Tankan Bhasma 250 mg *
Praval Pishti 125 mg *
* Twice a day with Honey
This combination acts as antitussive and
melts the thick mucus, which helps
clearing the lungs easier and gives relief
in cough.
Angina Pectoris
Shringa Bhasma, Heerak Bhasma,
Swarna Bhasma and Swarna Bhasma
are ayurvedic remedies that help in
angina pectoris and chest pain.
Shringa Bhasma alone can help in mild
to moderate cases when used with 5 ml
Ghee. This combination improves blood
flow to the heart muscle and reduces
tightness and pain in the chest. It also
reduces squeezing sensation. In severe
cases, Shringa Bhasma may not work
alone and a following combination may
require.
Remedies Quantity
Shringa Bhasma 250 mg *
Heerak Bhasma 5 mg *
Swarna Bhasma 10 mg *
Pushkarmool 250 mg *
Praval Pishti 250 mg *
* Twice a day with Ghee (Clarified
Butter)
Pleurisy
Pleurisy occurs due to inflammation of
pleura (thin serous membrane around
the lungs). It causes sharp chest pain,
which get worse during breathing.
Pleurisy can occur due to several
causes. In addition to treating underlying
causes, Shringa Bhasma is used for
pleuritic pain management in ayurveda.
The following ayurvedic combination
helps in pleuritic pain.
Remedies Quantity
Shringa Bhasma 250 mg *
Long pepper
(Pippali) Churna 125 mg *
Honey 1 tsp. *
* Twice or thrice a day
Fever in Tuberculosis
Shringa Bhasma has bacteriostatic
action, which most likely to appear in
tuberculosis. It inhibits the growth of
Mycobacterium tubercle. However,
Shringa Bhasma plays a supportive role
in tuberculosis and the main medicine is
Swarna Bhasma. Along with Praval
Pishti, it reduces fever, body aches, and
debility.
Rickets
Shringa Bhasma (125 mg) along with
Praval Pishti (250 mg) and Godanti
Bhasma (250 mg) improves bone health
in rickets. It also provides strength to the
child and improves overall growth.
Pyelonephritis
Shringa Bhasma has antimicrobial action
and dries up the pus, which helps in
management of kidney infections. When
used with Vanga Bhasma,
Chandraprabha Vati and Chandanasava,
it provides relief from kidney infection,
bladder infection and reduces pus in the
urine.
Dosage & Administration
The general dosage of Shringa
Bhasma is as follows.
Infants 20 to 60 mg *
Children 50 to 125 mg *
Adults 125 to 375 mg *
Pregnancy 50 to 125 mg *
Geriatric (Old age) 125 to 250 mg *
Maximum
Possible Dosage
(per day or in 24
hours)
750 mg (in
divided doses)
* Twice a day with following
adjuvants
Best Adjuvants
Condition Adjuvants
For expectorant
action
Misri
(crystalline
sugar) = 3
grams
For reducing
sputum
production
Honey = 1 tsp.
To reduce runny
nose or thin
mucus
Paan (Betel
Leaf) = 1 leaf
Chest pain due to
problem in the
lungs
Long pepper
(125 mg) and
honey (1 tsp.)
Angina Pain
(Angina Pectoris)
Ghee (Clarified
Butter) (5 ml)
Fever in
Tuberculosis
Praval Pishti
(250 mg) and
Giloy Satva (250
mg)
Low bone density,
Osteoporosis,
Rickets
Praval Pishti
(250 mg) and
Godanti
Bhasma (250
mg)
Safety Profile
Shringa Bhasma is LIKELY SAFE and
WELL TOLERATED, when used in
therapeutic dosage described above.
Side Effects
There are no side effects observed with
the use of Shringa Bhasma.
Contraindications
Dry cough is an absolute
contraindication of Shringa Bhasma. It
produces dryness in the airways, which
may worsen the dry cough.