Lōhāsava

Lohāsava is a fermented liquid preparation made with the ingredients in the Formulation composition given below. It contains not more than 10 per cent, and not less than 5 per cent of alcohol that is self generated in the preparation over a period of time.

Formulation composition

Loha cūrṇa-Śodhita (Lauha API)	Iron dust		192 g
Śuṇṭhī API	Zingiber officinale	Rz.	192 g
Marica API	Piper nigrum	Fr.	192 g
Pippalī API	Piper longum	Fr.	192 g
Harītakī API	Terminalia chebula	P.	192 g
Bibhītaka API	Terminalia bellierica	P.	192 g
Āmalakī API	Emblica officinalis	P.	192 g
Yavānikā (Yavānī API)	Trachyspermum ammi	Fr.	192 g
Viḍaṅga API	Embelia ribes	Fr.	192 g
Mustaka (Mustā) API)	Cyperus rotundus	Rz.	192 g
Citra (Eraṇḍa) API)	Ricinus communis	Rt.	192 g
Dhātakī API	Woodfordia fruticosa	Fl.	960 g
Kṣaudra (Madhu) API	Honey		3.072 kg
Guḍa API	Jaggery		4.80 kg
Jala	Water		24.576 l

Method of preparation

• Take the raw materials of pharmacopoeial quality.
• Wash, dry and powder the ingredients numbered 2 to 11 of the formulation composition and pass through the sieve number 44 to obtain coarse powder.
• Add specified amount of water to the ingredient number 14 of the formulation composition, allow to dissolve and filter through the muslin cloth.
• Transfer the filtrate to a clean container; add Loha Bhasma, Madhu, Dh¡tak¢ and coarsely powdered other drugs. Seal the mouth of the container.
• Shift the container to the fermentation room and constantly check for the signs of completion of fermentation process.

Description

• Clear, dark brown liquid without frothing and significant sedimentation; with astringent taste.

Storage

• Store in a cool place in tightly closed amber coloured bottle, protected from light and moisture.

Therapeutic uses

• Jaṭhara (weak digestion), Pāṇḍu (anaemia), Śvayathu (oedema), Gulma (abdominal lump), Arśa (piles), Agnimāndya (digestive impairment), Plīhā Roga (splenic disease), Kuṣṭa (disease of skin), Kāsa (cough), Śvāsa (asthma), Bhagandara (fistula-in-ano), Aruci (tastelessness), Grahaṇī (malabsorption syndrome), Hṛdroga (disease of heart).

Dose

• 15 - 30 ml orally with equal amount of water after meals twice a day.

Physico-chemical parameters

Total phenolic content	0.062 to 0.075 per cent
Total solids	Not less than 3.0 per cent
Specific gravity (at 25º)	1.00 to 1.20
pH	3.4 to 4.5
Reducing sugars	Not less than 14.0 per cent
Non-reducing sugars	Not more than .80 per cent
Alcohol content	4 to 10 per cent
Methanol	Absent