-by Sheela Rani Chunkath
Many millions of Indians including teenagers and young mothers suffer from anaemia. This endangers not only their own lives but also that of the next generation as anaemic young women give birth to low birth-weight babies with its attendant health problems. Many older senior citizens are also becoming anaemic as the nutrition level drops due to complications of old age and other health problems.
In ayurveda, our seers and vaidyars have recognised anaemia as a serious health issue and addressed it by having dozens of iron preparations. As usual I am amazed by the variety of iron formulations prepared with different herbs used to treat anaemia depending on its cause. Anaemia can be caused because of poor diet or hereditary reasons. A sudden drop in the haemoglobin levels should be a cause for concern as it could be because of a gastrointestinal bleed or even the onset of cancer.
In the ayurvedic pharmacopoeia there are three main iron preparations called Kasisa bhasma (prepared by IMCOPS), Lauha bhasma and Mandura bhasma. The method of preparations for the last two being given in the mediaeval text Rasaratna Samuchaya which deals with metallic preparations.
Kasisa bhasma is made by soaking green vitriol (ferrous sulphate) and lime juice and calcining it using an earthen crucible. This preparation is used as a haematinic, appetiser and anti-infective. It is also used in the treatment of liver and spleen enlargements.
Lauha bhasma is made by heating iron filings seven times in sesame oil. The iron filings are than ground in Aloe vera juice and calcining it 10 to 20 times. Calcination is the process of baking in dry heat. Most ayurvedic preparations are made by subjecting the preparation to heat generated from cow-dung cakes. The exact number of such cakes to be used is also prescribed so that the heating is done as per requirements.
Mandura bhasma is made by heating dross iron and treating it with cow's urine. This is done seven times. The treated iron is then ground with the juice of Bhringaraja (Eclipta Alba), dried and calcined in an earthenware capsule. The process of grinding and calcining is done 10 times.
Lauha bhasma and Mandura bhasma may be used to treat anaemia. Many people who are anaemic have oedema and these bhasmas are useful for treating such conditions. Both bhasmas are used in the treatment of jaundice also. While allopathy has hardly any treatments for jaundice, ayurvedic vaidyars treat it very effectively with the use of herbs and such bhasmas. The basic Lauha bhasma is taken and further preparations are also made. Some of the important ones are Dhatri lauha, Pippaliyadi lauha and Saptamrita lauha. These three lauhas are written about in Bhaisajya Ratnavali (19th century AD). This text is called a gem of ayurvedic medicinal formulations. Shri Govindadas Ji collected the countless medical prescriptions in use and saved them for posterity.
I continue to marvel at the wisdom of our seers. Datri lauha is prescribed for anaemias which may be due to stomach related ailments. When there is loss of appetite, colic, hyperacidity and inflammation of the stomach, Datri lauha can not only help in settling the stomach but also in alleviating anaemia. This is possible because the Lauha bhasma is treated with the juice of amlaki (Emblica officinalis), Guduchi (Tinaspora cordifolia) and Yashti (Glycyrrhiza glabra). All these herbs are useful in treating problems related to the stomach.
Now if you have anaemia and have a respiratory problem, normally Pippaliyadi lauha is the preferred drug. In this the Lauha bhasma is treated among other herbs with Pippali (Piper longum). This has a good effect on the respiratory tract.
Saptamrita lauha is Lauha bhasma treated with a Triphala and Yashti. It is given where there is anaemia along with diabetes, cataracts or hyperacidity. Ayurvedic vaidyars were able to distinguish long aeons ago between the different types of anaemia and prescribe drugs accordingly. If you are anaemic you would do well to consult an Ayurvedic vaidyar who will determine the cause of your anaemia and prescribe the appropriate drugs and diet.
--- The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and is currently Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/