Akika Pishti
Akika Pishti is a bhasma, a mineral or metal preparation reduced to ash by repeated calcination. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
| Substance type | Mineral or metal preparation, not a plant |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Akika Pishti, AkikaPishti |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Akik Pishti |
How does it work?
- Pitta-pacifying cooling action: Silica-based mineral matrix provides systemic cooling effect, calming aggravated Pitta dosha in conditions of heat, inflammation, and acute irritability
- Cardiac tonic: Trace minerals (iron, magnesium, calcium) in the agate matrix support cardiovascular function; the cooling property reduces stress-related cardiac symptoms
- Hemostatic: Silicon dioxide and trace minerals may contribute to strengthening vascular walls and supporting coagulation, relevant to traditional use in bleeding disorders
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Pitta disorders (heat, inflammation, irritability): The cooling mineral composition of silica-based agate provides mechanistic rationale for Pitta-pacifying claims, though rigorous clinical validation is lacking
- Cardiac conditions and bleeding disorders: Trace mineral content (iron, magnesium, calcium) provides partial mechanistic support, but no controlled clinical trials specifically validate these indications
What do recent clinical trials show?
2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- GENERALLY SAFE for oral ingestion: Silicon dioxide is classified as safe when taken orally at recommended doses; no significant toxicity concerns at therapeutic doses
- CRITICAL WARNING: Must NOT be inhaled - inhalation of silica powder can cause silicosis, a serious and irreversible lung fibrosis condition
- Lab testing should verify heavy metal levels (lead, arsenic, mercury) are within Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia limits, as natural agate may contain trace impurities depending on geological source
- Clinical trial evidence is extremely limited - most data comes from small observational studies, case reports, or animal experiments
What is it made of?
Mineral/Elemental Profile
- Primary component: Calcined mineral/metal oxide (after Shodhana and Marana)
- Particle size: Sub-micron to nanoparticle range
- Note: Exact composition depends on source material and preparation method
Analytical Methods: XRD, ICP-OES/ICP-MS, SEM-EDS, Particle size analysis, Namburi phased spot test
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Pishti (fine trituration with rose water)
Standard Dosage: 125–250 mg twice daily
Bioavailability: Superior to bhasma due to low-temperature processing retaining natural matrix
Optimal Timing: With honey, cream of milk (Malai), or Gulkand
Standardized Extract: Agate stone triturated with Gulab Jal (rose water) — cold-processed
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Airtight container; cool, dry place
Marker Compounds: Silicon dioxide (chalcedony), Iron oxide, Trace minerals
Quality Parameters: Particle size <50 μm (Pishti fineness), heavy metals within AYUSH limits
Vehicle (Anupana): Honey, Gulkand, cream of milk (Malai), or pomegranate juice
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.