Kankshi or potash alum is one among the uparasas mentioned in Rasashastra textbooks. Ayurveda explains wide range of therapeutic properties of kankshi both internally or externally.

1. THERAPEUTIC
PROPERTIES OF
KANKSHI
PRESENTED BY
Dr Anitha M
1st MD scholar
Dept. R and B
Government Ayurveda Medical College, TVM

2. INTRODUCTION
✓Kankshi is one among the uparasas mentioned in most of Rasasastra textbooks
✓Not included under uparasa in Rasapadhathi as it mentions only 3 uparasas
✓Sphatika is considered as the essence of tuvari (tuvarya patitam satwam) and
properties of which are separately mentioned in Rasajalanidhi
✓In siddha system of medicine, Padikaram is one among 10 natural salts having
predominance of vayu mahabhootha

3. CLASSIFICATION
✓Rasaratna samuchaya
✓Rasaprakasha sudhakara
✓Rasarnava
✓Rasendra chudamani
✓Rasahridaya tandra
✓Ayurveda prakasha
✓Parada samhitha
✓Bhavaprakasha Nighantu - Dhatwadi varga
✓Rasa Tarangini - Talakadi vijnaniya Taranga (11th chapter)
Uparasa

4. IN BRIHATRAYEES
SAMHITHA REFERENCE
Caraka samhitha
Grahani chikitsa, Kushta chiktsa& Yonivyapat chikitsa – Saurashtri
Visha chikitsa – Kankshi
Yonivyapat chikitsa (suddha sukra lakshanas) – Sphatika sanniba
Susruta samhitha
Sukra shonitha suddhi sareeram – sphatikabha (suddha sukra)
Vridhi-upadamsa-sleepada chikitsa – Saurashtri (lepana in upadamsa)
Pithabhishyanda pratishedha(utt) – sphatika (sukthika chikitsa)
Chedyaroga pratishedha(utt) – sphatika (sirajala chikitsa)
Sosa pratishedha (utt) – Surashtraja
Ashtanga hridaya
Sandhi sita asitaroga pratishedha (utt) – sphatika (arjuna chikitsa)
Drishti roga vijnaneeya (utt) – sphatikopama suklima (kaphaja linganasha)
Timira pratishedha (utt) – Sphatika
Guhyaroga pratishedha (utt) – kankshi, saurashtri (yoniroga chikitsa)

5. SYNONYMS
Gopichandana Sphuti, Sphatika Rangadrida
Tuvari , Phitkari Sphutikarika Dridarangada
Surashtraja Sphutika Rangadhatri
Saurashtri Phatika ,Pithika Mrithika,Khanija
Saurashtramrithika Subhra Adaki
Sphatikari Rangada Dhanya
Suranga Dridaranga Mritsna, Amritha

6. OCCURANCE
✓Available in Saurashtra region of Gujarat (Saurashtrasmani sambhootha) , Punjab,
Bihar and Uttar Pradesh
✓Occurs as encrustations on rocks in areas of weathering and oxidation of sulphide
minerals and potassium bearing minerals, massive and found in shales and in the
neighbourhood of volcanoes
✓The ores are found in Italy, Unites states and in Philippines – locally known as
tawas
✓It can be artificially prepared

7. VARIETIES (2)
PHATAKI & PHULLIKA
PITHIKA & PHULLIKA
SPHATIKA & PHULLIKA
SITA & KRISHNA/
CHURNA & KHANDATMIKA
Rasaratna samuchaya, Parada samhitha
Rasaprakasha sudhakara
Rasendra chudamani, BRRS
Rasarnavam

8. According to Siddha Medicine,
2 varieties of padikaram : 1) Natural
2) Synthetic
Natural padikaram (4) : Cheenakaram (White)
Chempadikaram (Red)
Peetha padikaram (Yellow)
Maragadha padikaram (Green)

9. IDENTIFICATION
PROPERTIES ALUNITE KALINITE
Chemical Formula KAl3 (SO4 ) 2(OH)6 KAl (SO4 ) 2.11H2O
Colour White, pale shades of grey, yellow,
red to reddish brown
White to pale blue
Lustre Vitreous, pearly Vitreous
Hardness 3.5-4 2
Specific gravity 2.6-2.9 1.75
Crystal system Trigonal Monoclinic
Transparency Transparent/Translucent Transparent
Density 2.6-2.9 g/cm3 1.75 g/cm3
Synonyms Aluminilite, Alumstone, Calafatite Potash alum, Potassalumite,
Alumotrichite

10. ALUNITE

11. KALINITE

12. ARTIFICIAL PREPARATION OF ALUM
✓Potassium sulphate and Aluminium sulphate are mixed in equal molecular weight,
dissolved in water and the watery portion is evaporated to obtain crystals of alum
✓Bauxite is dissolved in concentrated sulphuric acid and added with potassium
sulphate , is dried to obtain alum
✓Alunite is dissolved in water, filtered and the liquid portion is dried to get the
crystals of alum

13. USES:
✓Styptic and antiseptic nature
✓In leather industry for cleaning purposes
✓To fix colours on cloth
✓For therapeutic need – slightly yellowish , heavy, smooth
✓In certain fertilizers
✓Water purification
✓Making fireproof textiles and baking powder
✓Cosmetic – deodorant and as an aftershave treatment

14. PROPERTIES
RASA:
SIDDHA : Madhura, Kashaya
GUNA: Snigda
VIRYA : Ushna (RT, BP) , Seetha according to Siddha
VIPAKA: Katu
ACHARYAS RASAS MENTIONED
RRS, RJN Kashaya, Katuka, Amla
RT Kashaya , Katuka, Tikta
RPS Kashaya, Katuka, Amla, Madhura
BBRS Kashaya, Katuka, Amla or Kashaya
BP Kashaya

15. RRS
Kantya
Keshya
Vranaghni
Vishanashini
Swithrapaha
Netrahitha
Tridosha santhiprada
Parada jarani
RT
Visarpa kanduhitha
Vranaropana
Vishamajwara nashini
Ratimandira sankochakarini
Vranaharini
Graahini
Lekhani
Rudhirasrava avarodhini
Mukharogahara
dantadardyakari
RJN
Sphatika:
Urakshatha sulaghni
Susaindhava samana
Tuvari: Similar to RRS
RPS
kaphahanthri
BRRS
Kushtaghni
Sutaghathini
Susaindhava samana
BP
Yonisankochakarini
Rasendra sambhava
Daha kshatha rakthavikaranut
Pitha kapha samana
Pradara nashana

16. RRS & RPS specifically mentioned qualities of both the varieties of kankshi
RRS RPS
PHATAKI
✓ Ishat pita
✓ Guru
✓ Vishanashini
✓ Vranakushtahari
✓ Sarva kushtaghni
PITHIKA
✓ Alpa pita
✓ Susnigda
✓ Garadosha vinashini
PHULLIKA
✓ Nirbhara
✓ Subhravarna
✓ Lepat tamram charediyam
PHULLIKA
✓ Sweta varna
✓ Lohamarini

17. SODHANA
✓Rasaratna samuchaya
✓Parada samhitha
✓Brhat rasa raja sundara
✓Rasajalanidhi
✓Rasendra chudamani
✓Rasaprakasha sudhakara - Soaking in dhanyamla for 3 days
✓Ayurveda prakasha
✓Brhat rasaraja sundara
Soaking in kanjika for 3 days
Dewatering on fire (Bharjana)

19. According to siddha medicine :
The salt is dissolved in water and saturated salt solution is filtered by making use of
filter. This solution is poured in a china clay container and covered by a cloth to
prevent rust. Then this solution is exposed to sunlight and allowed to evaporate.
When the water is completely evaporated, the purified crystals are obtained.

20. PARADA SAMHITHA
Shodhitha
kankshi
Kankshi bhasma
(Sweta)
Kept on fire – crystalline water is
evaporated
Subjected to laghu puta

21. SATWAPATHANA
Mardana in kshara amala
dravyas (RRS,RPS,BRRS)
Bhavana in gopitha for 100
days(RRS)
Kept in crucible
Blown in furnace to obtain
sattwa
✓ Used for kramana
samskara(RRS)
✓ Dhathuvatartham,
Aushadham na
upayujyathe (RPS)

22. GENERAL MATRA
✓2 to 4 ratti (Ayurveda sara sangraha)
✓RT - Roganusarena
✓Anupanas – madhu, ghritha, roganusarena

23. AMAYIKA PRAYOGA
PROCEDURE MEDICINES INDICATIONS
Pana Suddha sphatika (1 ratti) +
rasasindura ( 1 ratti)
Urdwaga and adhoga
rakthapitha
Pana Suddha sphatika (2 ratti) +
sita
Apakwa nagabhasma
sevajanya sula
Pana Suddha sphatika (2 ratti) +
indrayava churna
Atisara
RASATARANGINI:

24. PROCEDURE MEDICINES INDICATIONS
Avachurnana Suddha sphatika + mriddarasringa churna Vranaropana
Avachurnana/
purana
Suddha sphatika (1 masa) Sadyo vrana / kshatha
Nasya Suddha sphatika +cow’s milk Nasagata rakathapitha
Kshaalana Suddha sphatika + suddha tankana (equal)
+ jala
Vicharchika srava
Kshaalana Suddha sphatika (2 masa) + jala (2 pala) Yoni shaithilyam
Aschyothana Suddha sphatika ( 4 ratti) + raktha kamala
churna
Abhishyanda with sotha, paka
Pana Suddha sphatika (1 ratti) + sita followed by
the intake of water or vasa swarasa as
anupana
Daruna rakthapitha

25. PROCEDURE MEDICINES INDICATIONS
Guda vasthi suddha sphatika (6 ratti) + jala (5 tola) Chirotha gudarshas,
rakthasrava , gudabramsa
Uttara basthi Suddha sphatika ( 3 ratti) + jala ( 5 tola) Meha vrana in the arsomarga,
puya srava
Yoni basthi Suddha sphatika ( 1 tola) + jala ( 50 tola) Sthana vichyutha garbhashaya ,
rakthasrava, swetapradara
janya kandu
Dantadhavana Suddha sphatika + bakulatwak churna Danta – dantamula dardyakara
Dantadhavana Suddha sphatika + lavanga ela sita
churna
Suddha sphatika (1 karsha) +saindhava
(1 tola)
Danta sarkara
Danta paichilya
Kavala graha Suddha sphatika (5 tola) + toya (5 ratti) Daruna mukhapaka,
kantasundi, adhijihva

26. SIDHA BHESHAJA MANIMALA:
✓Jwara chikitsa – prasahya jwara avastha
✓Arsas chikitsa
✓Udavartha chikitsa - vibandha
✓Bhagandara chikitsa
✓Mukharoga chikitsa – paka, granthi, kotha, lalasrava, rakthasrava
✓Netraroga chikitsa
CARAKA SAMHITHA:
✓Saurashtri + musta+ lodhra + triphala + madhuka as kalka + madhu – pana in
paithika asrigdara

27. AYURVEDA SARA SANGRAHA:
Naga apakwa bhasma sevajanya amasaya sula 1 ratti bhasma+ 1/8 ratti ahiphena + ¼ ratti
karpura + water followed by mriduvirechana
churna + dugda at night
Atichardana avastha of whooping cough 1 ratti bhamsa+ ½ ratti pravala pishti+2 ratti
karkatasringi churna + madhu
Sarpa visha 1 masha bhasma+ 5 tola ghritha (to prevent
vishavega gati)
Atidaruna jwara (plague) 3 ratti bhasma+ 1 masha misri – no water intake
for 1 hr , intake dhanyaka jala
Punaravarthaka jwara 4 ratti bhasma+ 1/10 ratti sankha +madhu
Netraroga 2 ratti churna + 11 tola rosewater (aschyotana)
Vranaropana Phitkari + ghritha (lepana)
Nasagata Rakthapitha Phitkari bhasma + misri
Urakshatha (haemoptysis) 4 ratti bhasma + 2 masha misri as pudding (twice
daily)

28. SIDDHA:
✓130 mg of padikaram is dissolved in 28 ml of water – used for washing in eye
diseases
✓35 gm of padikaram is dissolved in 10.4 litres of water – used as gargle in akkaram,
for washing wounds
✓Padikaram is dissolved in water and a cloth is dipped in the solution and its is used
as bandage in bleeding wounds
✓65 mg of padikaram – vomiting
✓195 mg of padikaram with 14ml rose water twice daily relieves asthma and cough
✓260 mg of padikaram + vasa swarasa thrice a day – leucorrhoea, menorrhagia
✓Alum + catechu + cinnamom (equal quantity) powder + honey – diarrhoea
proceeding cholera

29. YOGAS IN AYURVEDA
RRS :
✓Garudanjana ( Netraroga chikitsa)
✓Kasisadi gutika (Krimidanta)
✓Lakshmivilasa rasa ( Rasayanadhikara)
✓Sarveswara papati ( Vidradi chikitsa)
✓Vishakalpa
✓Rasakalpa

30. RT :
✓Hingulamritha malahara
✓Shankha dravaka
✓Tuthakodaya varthi
SIDHAYOGA SANGRAHA :
✓Swetha parpati ( Mutrakrichra chikitsa) (Suryakshara:kamshi:navsadara
– 16:2:1)

31. RASARAJA CHINTHAMANI :
✓Ardha chandrodaya gutika
✓Chandrakanjanam
✓Garudanjanam
✓Karavala bhairava rasa
✓Manobhairava rasa
✓Netranjanam
✓Rasanjanadi anjanam
✓Rasaveeyam
✓Rasasindooram
✓Shankara bhairava rasa
✓Sannipathadavanala rasa
✓Trikatukadi anjanam

32. CARAKA SAMHITHA:
✓Kiratyadi churna (Grahani)
✓Mahasanjivana agada (sarva visha)
✓Dhathakyadi taila (slaishmiki)
✓ Kanakakshiri taila (krimi, kandu, kushta)
ASHTANGA HRIDAYA:
✓Kaseesadi varti (Pichila vaisadya yoni)
✓Sphatikadi anjana (Arjuna)
✓Ratnadi churna anjana (Sarva drik amayaghna – Timira roga)
SUSRUTA SAMHITHA:
✓Vaiduryadi anjanam (Sukthika chikitsa)
✓Churnanjana (Sirajala chikitsa)

33. YOGAS IN SIDDHA
✓ Onan sudar tailam
✓ Padigara parpam
✓ Padiga linga chendooram
✓ Padika poongavi chendooram
✓ Ayakantha chendooram
✓ Nandhi mezhuku
✓ Seena pashana parpam
✓ Salokar mathirai
✓ Padikara patru
✓ Padikara neer
✓ Padikara sunnam
✓ Vellai mathirai

34. YOGAS IN UNANI
Sufoof – E –Indrijulab
✓Formulation : Churna
✓Ingredients : Piper cubeba
Elettaria cardamomum
Alum (Shibb-E-Yamani)
Soap stone
Potassium nitrate
✓Therapeutic properties : dysmenorrhoea, urine retention
✓Dose : 5 – 10 gm
✓Mode of administration : orally daily with milk

35. THESIS WORKS

36. 1. A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Papaya ksheera based Sphatika ksharasutra
in Bhagandhara w.s.r to fistula-in-ano
(Published in JAIMS - June 2018)
2. Clinical appraisal on therapeutic efficacy of Tankana and Sphatika bhasma with
madhu pratisarana in Tundikeri
(Published in JDDT - November 2019)
3. Analysis of physiochemical properties and antimicrobial activity of some traditional
Indian ayurvedic bhasmas
(Published in World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - June 2014)

37. 4. A contemplative study on the clinical evaluation and efficacy of selective herbo-
mineral formulations in Vishama jwara (Malaria)
(Published in IJAAS - 2014)
5. Pharmaceutical study of Shankha dravaka and the hands-on impediments
(Published in Journal of Biological & Scientific Opinion - 2018)
6. Effect of Sphatikayuktha rasasindoora with Lodhra Kashaya in dysfunctional
uterine bleeding
(Dr Lijima C - Govt Ayurveda Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram)

38. 7. An unusual case of latrogenic alum toxicity resulting in fulminant hepatic failure of
young
(Published in Emergency Medicine : Open Access)
8. Potassium aluminium sulphate (Alum) inhibits growth of human axillary malodor
producing skin flora in vitro
(Published in Journal of Clinical and Health Sciences - June 2016)
9. Role of potash alum in Hepatitis C virus transmission at Barber’s shop
(Published in Virology Journal - January 2011)

39. 10.Production of water treatment alum using ash and aluminium scraps
(Published in IJISSET - 2019)
11. Formulation and evaluation of potash alum as deodorant lotion and after shaving
astringent as cream and gel
(Published in International Current Pharmaceutical Journal - January 2014)
12. Aluminium potassium sulphate and tannic acid injection for haemorrhoids
(Published in Journal of the Korean Society of Coloproctology - April 2012)
13. Toxicity study of padikara chenduram
(Study conducted at Government Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, Tamilnadu)

40. 14. Padikaram – A unique drug & its utilization in siddha medicine – A pharmacological
review
(Siddha Papers - A Peer Reviewed Online Journal - September 2019)
15. Shibb-E-Yamani (Alum) - A unique drug and its utilization in unani medicine: A
physicochemical and pharmacological review
(Published in IJRAP - April 2017)
16. A review on medical aspect of alum in unani medicine and scientific studies
(Published in World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research - May 2015)

41. REFERENCES
✓Rasaratna samuchaya
✓Rasatarangini
✓Ayurveda prakasha
✓Brihar rasaraja sundara
✓Rasajalanidhi
✓Rasapraksha sudhakara
✓Ayurveda sara sangraha
✓Rasendra chudamni
✓Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
✓Rasarnavam

42. ✓Astanga Hridaya
✓Parada samhitha
✓Sidha yoga sangraha
✓Sidha bheshaja manimala
✓Rasendra sambhava
✓Caraka samhitha
✓Susruta samhitha
✓Sidha formulary of India
✓Unani formulary of India
✓www.mindat.org

43. THANK YOU