Icchabhedi Rasa
Icchabhedi Rasa is a rasa preparation, a herbo-mineral formulation of the rasa shastra tradition.
| 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
- A different mercury compound, calomel (mercurous chloride), was historically used as a purgative in Western medicine; whether the HgS in Kajjali adds to the cathartic action is not established
- 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?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Strong purgation (Virechana) for Panchakarma: traditionally used as a powerful cathartic. Croton oil’s phorbol esters have been reported to stimulate intestinal secretion and motility.
- Ascites (Jalodara) and severe constipation: traditionally used for fluid retention and obstinate constipation.
What do recent studies show?
No study for this section could be traced to a published paper. 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
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Vati
Standard Dosage: 125–250 mg (potent purgative, single dose or as directed)
Optimal Timing: Bedtime with warm water or Triphala Kwatha
Storage: Airtight container; clearly labeled as potent purgative
Marker Compounds: Mercury sulfide, Croton oil (from Jayapala), Sulfur compounds
Vehicle (Anupana): Warm water or Triphala Kwatha
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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.
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