Kṣāra Sūtra

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Ksharasutra is a medicated device prepared with a linen thread of specified physical characteristics, to meet the quality of the finished product described below, by coating it with layers of materials obtained from plants as mentioned.

Method of preparation

• Spread the surgical linen thread of size 20 throughout the length and breadth of the hanger of the specially designed cabinet known as Ksharasutra (K.S.) Cabinet.
• Smear the thread with latex, uniformly and carefully, all around the thread, with the help of clean gauze piece soaked in the Snuhi Kshara.
• After smearing all the threads on the hanger, place the hanger in the Ksharasutra cabinet for drying.
• Close the cabinet properly and dry at 500 leaving it overnight.
• Close all the outlets of the Ksharasutra cabinet properly in order to prevent the entry of moisture in to the cabinet.

Description

• A dark brown coloured thread, with a dry coat of medicament that remains intact on handling and smooth to touch.
• The thread used is of linen consisting of processed pericyclic fibres from stems of Linum usitatissimum, complying with microscopy.

Storage

• Keep in moisture free condition, away from direct sunlight & heat.

Therapeutic uses

• Bhagandara (Fistula-in-ano and other fistulae of perianal region), Nadivra¸a (sinuses), Arsa (haermorrhoids), Dushta Nadivrana (chronic-infected, non-healing ulcers), Vrana (ulcers), Vidradhi (abscesses of different location, Pilonidal sinus, Injection sinus), Arbuda (tumor), Adhimausa (external growth of muscle and skin), Yoni Arsa (vaginal polyps).

Physico-chemical parameters

Length of thread	29 to 31 cm
Weight	0.9 to 1 g
Diameter/Thickness	1.75 to 2.0 mm
Tensile Strength	not less than 5 kg
Loss on drying at 105 degree	Not more than 5 per cent
Water-soluble extractive	Not less than 85 per cent
Hexane-soluble extractive	Not less than 6 per cent
Sulphated ash	80 to 82 per cent
pH (1% aqueous solution)	9.3 to 10.5
Total alkalies (calculated as carbonates)	Not less than 20%