Lohasava
Lohasava is a bhasma, a mineral or metal preparation reduced to ash by repeated calcination. Listed in Sharangdhara Samhita; recognized as a classical Ayurvedic Asava preparation; included in Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI); classified as a Classical Medicine under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
| Substance type | Mineral or metal preparation, not a plant |
|---|---|
| Pharmacopoeia status | Listed in Sharangdhara Samhita; recognized as a classical Ayurvedic Asava preparation; included in Ayurvedic Formulary of India (AFI); classified as a Classical Medicine under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Lohasava |
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Sharangdhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10, Verses 34-38; also referenced in Rasa Ratna Samuccaya (15th century CE) as Lauha Asava
How does it work?
- Fermentation process (Sandhana Kalpana) converts iron into highly bioavailable ionic/colloidal form within a self-generated alcohol medium (4-10%), markedly enhancing GI absorption
- Self-generated alcohol acts as a natural preservative and delivery vehicle for both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble active herbal constituents
- Triphala components provide vitamin C for iron absorption, antioxidant protection, and gentle hepatoprotection
- Trikatu enhances digestive fire (Agni) and bioavailability of iron and other nutrients through piperine-mediated absorption enhancement
- Dhataki Pushpa provides the yeast and enzymes for controlled fermentation and has intrinsic hemostatic properties
- Vidanga and Chitraka provide anthelmintic and digestive stimulant effects, addressing parasitic causes of anemia
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Iron deficiency anemia - validated by comparative study showing Lohasava was more effective than conventional iron therapy in improving hemoglobin and iron parameters
- Liver and digestive disorders - traditional hepatoprotective and digestive claims supported by pharmacological actions of Triphala and Trikatu components and the bioenhancing fermentation process
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
- Contains 4-10% self-generated alcohol - contraindicated in patients with alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, or religious/personal alcohol restrictions
- 2024 standardization study confirmed heavy metal content within acceptable limits for properly manufactured preparations
- Iron overload risk with chronic high-dose use; particularly important in patients with iron storage disorders or hemochromatosis
- Fermentation quality varies between manufacturers - only purchase from licensed GMP-certified Ayurvedic pharmacies with standardization data
- Toxicity study showed safety at 5x therapeutic dose, but prolonged use requires periodic liver and kidney function monitoring
What is it made of?
Mineral/Elemental Profile
- Primary component: Mineral-derived preparation
- Note: Composition varies by specific preparation method
Analytical Methods: XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Asava (self-generated fermented liquid)
Standard Dosage: 15–30 mL twice daily after meals
Bioavailability: Excellent; Sandhana Kalpana (fermentation) produces ~5–10% alcohol serving as bioenhancer and preservative; iron in chelated/complexed form
Optimal Timing: After meals with equal water
Standardized Extract: Fermented preparation with Loha (iron), Triphala, and aromatic herbs
Shelf Life: Indefinite (improves with age; 10+ year old Asavas are premium)
Storage: Earthen or glass vessel; avoid direct sunlight; room temperature
Marker Compounds: Iron complexes, Organic acids (from fermentation), Polyphenols (from Triphala/Dhataki), Self-generated alcohol (5–10%)
Quality Parameters: Alcohol 5–12% v/v, iron content as labeled, pH 3.0–4.5, specific gravity 1.010–1.040, total acidity 0.5–1.5%
Vehicle (Anupana): Equal quantity of water after meals
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.