Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Kasis Bhasma

Kasis Bhasma 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. SAFER THAN RAW FORM: Calcined Kasis Bhasma is nontoxic compared to unpurified Kasisa.

Key facts
Substance typeMineral or metal preparation, not a plant
Also known asKasis Bhasma, KasisBhasma

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKasis Bhasma

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Iron oxide (from calcination of ferrous sulfate)
  • Residual sulfate compounds
  • Trace copper and zinc
  • Organic compounds from herbal processing
  • Calcium and magnesium from processing media

How does it work?

  • Enhanced iron supplementation through calcined ferrous sulfate with higher bioavailability than raw form, supporting hemoglobin synthesis without GI distress
  • Deepana (appetite stimulation) and Pachana (digestive fire strengthening) through iron-mediated metabolic enzyme activation in the gastrointestinal tract
  • Hepatoprotective action through antioxidant activity and cellular membrane stabilization, protecting liver cells from toxic damage (validated against CCl4 toxicity)
  • Raktavardhaka (blood-enhancing) action through combined iron provision and improved intestinal absorption, addressing anemia at multiple levels

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Iron-deficiency anemia (Pandu Roga): Improved hemoglobin and ferritin levels confirmed in clinical evaluations without GI side effects of conventional iron
  • Liver disorders: Hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity validated in animal models
  • Digestive disorders (Agnimandya, Ajirna): Deepana-Pachana properties confirmed through improved appetite and digestion in clinical observations

What do recent clinical trials show?

3 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

  • SAFER THAN RAW FORM: Calcined Kasis Bhasma is nontoxic compared to unpurified Kasisa. Shodhana and Marana processes essential for safety.
  • NO GI SIDE EFFECTS: Stomach discomfort, breathing difficulty, constipation, and diarrhea common with ferrous sulfate are NOT reported with Kasis Bhasma use
  • PREGNANCY WARNING: POSSIBLY UNSAFE due to emmenagogue effects. Not recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • LONG-TERM CAUTION: Like all iron preparations, prolonged unsupervised use may cause iron overload. Periodic monitoring recommended.

What is it made of?

Mineral/Elemental Profile

  • Iron sulfate (FeSO4): Major component (green vitriol)
  • Iron (Fe): ~20%
  • Sulfur (S): ~11%

Analytical Methods: XRD, ICP-OES, FTIR

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Bhasma

Standard Dosage: 125–250 mg

Bioavailability: Good; iron sulfate converted to bioavailable iron oxide nanoparticles

Optimal Timing: With honey or Triphala Kwatha; after meals to reduce GI irritation

Standardized Extract: Calcined green vitriol (ferrous sulfate) bhasma

Shelf Life: Indefinite

Storage: Airtight, moisture-proof container (hygroscopic)

Marker Compounds: Iron oxide (Fe2O3), Sulfur compounds, Trace minerals

Quality Parameters: Iron content >50%, free sulfate <1%, standard bhasma tests, particle size <100 nm

Vehicle (Anupana): Honey, Triphala Kwatha, or Mandura Bhasma combination

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.