Concept of Kshara Nirmana Out of Kanji with Reference to Rasayansara- A Pharmaceutico-Analytical Study

Abstract

Kanji (sour rice gruel) is an acidic fermented preparation mentioned in many of the Ayurveda classics for various purpose like therapeutic use, pharmaceutical processes etc. A special method of kanji preparation is mentioned in Rasaratnasamuchchaya commentary by Acharya Dattatreya Anant Kulkarni and similar preparation is also mentioned in Rasayansara book recommended for the Parada samskara (mercurial processes) with some difference in ingredients. Kshara (alkaline preparation/ alkali) is an important preparation mentioned in classics. In Rasayansara text, Acharya Shyamsundar Vaishyaji has described a unique method of Kshara nirmana out of the leftover material of the Kanji. This kind of innovative methods should be adopted to recycle the leftover waste matters. It will help in regenerate the new pharmaceutical product. Here an attempt has been done by preparing the kanji and the kshara out of its residue material as mentioned in Rasayansara. First Kanji was prepared as per the reference of Rasayansara book and the leftover after filtration was dried. The kshara was prepared out of this dried leftover. Organoleptic and physicochemical analysis of the prepared kshara was done. The average yield of obtained kshara was 4.88%. The moisture content of the final product found very less while total ash value found on higher side. The pH value suggests its alkaline nature. It shows good solubility in various solvents and good water-soluble extractive value. Exploration of such innovative procedures where waste stuff is been recycled should be increased in present time.