Icchabhedi Rasa
Icchabhedi Rasa is a rasa preparation, a herbo-mineral formulation of the rasa shastra tradition. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
| Substance type | Herbo-mineral (rasa shastra) preparation, not a single plant |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Icchabhedi Rasa, IcchabhediRasa |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Icchabhedi Rasa |
How does it work?
- Purgative action: Croton tiglium seeds contain croton oil with phorbol esters (particularly 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate/TPA) that activate protein kinase C, stimulating intestinal secretion and peristalsis causing powerful catharsis
- Mercury (as HgS from Kajjali) historically was used as a purgative in Western medicine as well (calomel); the mercurial component may enhance the cathartic action through irritation of intestinal mucosa
- Shunthi (ginger) and Maricha (pepper) serve as bioavailability enhancers and carminatives to reduce the griping pain associated with the powerful purgative action
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Strong purgation (Virechana) for Panchakarma: The pharmacological basis is well-established - Croton oil’s phorbol esters are potent activators of intestinal secretion and motility, validating the traditional use as a powerful cathartic
- Ascites (Jalodara) and severe constipation: Historical use in fluid retention and obstinate constipation is mechanistically supported by the formulation’s powerful secretagogue and peristalsis-stimulating properties
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
- CRITICAL: This is an extremely potent purgative - Croton tiglium is classified as highly toxic; even small overdoses can cause severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance
- Contains mercury as Kajjali (HgS) - in addition to purgative risks, mercury content adds nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity concerns
- Self-medication is EXPLICITLY DANGEROUS - multiple sources warn against unsupervised use; should only be administered by experienced Ayurvedic physicians in controlled settings as part of Panchakarma Virechana therapy
- Not for regular or repeated use - intended as a single-dose or short-course therapeutic purgative only; prolonged use can cause severe GI damage, electrolyte depletion, and mercury accumulation
- Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, children, elderly, debilitated patients, inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, and renal/hepatic impairment
What is it made of?
Mineral/Elemental Profile
- Primary component: Mercury-based preparation (Parada) with herbal processing
- Note: Restricted use — requires strict Shodhana protocols and expert supervision
Analytical Methods: AAS/ICP-MS (heavy metals), XRD, Namburi phased spot test
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Vati
Standard Dosage: 125–250 mg (potent purgative — single dose or as directed)
Bioavailability: Rapid onset purgative action within 4–6 hours
Optimal Timing: Bedtime with warm water or Triphala Kwatha
Standardized Extract: Kajjali (purified mercury-sulfur complex) with Jayapala (Croton)
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Airtight container; clearly labeled as potent purgative
Marker Compounds: Mercury sulfide, Croton oil (from Jayapala), Sulfur compounds
Quality Parameters: Free mercury <1 ppm, standard Rasaushadhi tests, uniform potency
Vehicle (Anupana): Warm water or Triphala Kwatha
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.