A Critical Review of Pharmaceutico-therapeutic aspect of Kshara Kalpana through lens of Ayurvedic Literature

Kshara Kalpana represents a distinctive pharmaceutical procedure in Ayurveda, wherein alkaline substances are end products of the ashes of medicinal plants, animal derivatives, and minerals through a systematic process. Its preparation involves combustion followed by the extraction of water-soluble components, yielding a highly concentrated alkaline substance. The method of preparation varies across classical treatises, reflecting different procedural approaches. Classical texts provide detailed descriptions of its pharmaceutical and therapeutic aspects. The present study aims to critically review Kshara Kalpana in its various dimensions, based on references from 38 classical Ayurvedic texts. Acharya Sushruta was the first to systematically elaborate on this dosage form along with its therapeutic applications. The outcome of this review is a comprehensive understanding of it through systematic compilation and analysis of pharmaceutical diversity in Ayurvedic pharmaceutics. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to explore its methods of preparation and other pharmaceutical description along with classical significance.