Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Shankha Bhasma

Shankha Bhasma is a bhasma, a mineral or metal preparation reduced to ash by repeated calcination. [Pharmaceutical Standardization and Physicochemical Characterization of Traditional Ayurvedic Marine Drug: Incinerated Conch Shell (Shankha Bhasma)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30445775/). PMID [30445775](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30445775/) · [doi:10.3390/md16110450](https://doi.org/10.3390/md16110450) Standardized compressed tablet form developed.

Key facts
Substance typeMineral or metal preparation, not a plant
Also known asShankha Bhasma, ShankhaBhasma

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishShankha Bhasma

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as predominant constituent
  • Calcium oxide (CaO) formed during calcination
  • Trace strontium, magnesium, sodium
  • Marine-derived trace minerals
  • Organic matrix residues from shell protein (conchiolin)

How does it work?

  • Antacid action through direct acid neutralization by calcium carbonate and calcium oxide, buffering gastric pH and providing rapid relief from hyperacidity
  • Gastroprotective effect through formation of protective calcium layer on gastric mucosa, shielding against acid and pepsin damage
  • Calcium supplementation via marine-derived bioavailable calcium supporting bone metabolism, muscle contraction, and nerve impulse transmission
  • Pitta-shamana (Pitta-pacifying) action through alkaline pH correction and reduction of Pitta-predominant digestive fire excess

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Hyperacidity and GERD (Amlapitta): Clinical study confirmed significant GERD symptom resolution (p < 0.005) with lemon-purified Shankha Bhasma
  • Digestive disorders (Agnimandya, Ajirna): High acid neutralization capacity validated traditional use as digestive aid and antacid
  • Calcium deficiency: Marine-derived bioavailable calcium content supports traditional use for bone health and Asthi Dhatu nourishment

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: Properly prepared Shankha Bhasma contains negligible heavy metals and passes classical safety tests (Varitara, Rekhapurna)
  • MILD SIDE EFFECTS: Possible mild constipation, alkaline reflux, or hypercalcemia with overdosage
  • NO TOXIC METALS: Marine shell-based preparation without intentional toxic metal content. Lower contamination risk compared to metallic Bhasmas.
  • PURIFICATION METHOD MATTERS: Lemon-purified Shankha Bhasma showed superior clinical efficacy vs sour gruel-purified, indicating preparation quality directly affects outcomes

What is it made of?

Mineral/Elemental Profile

  • Calcium carbonate (CaCO3): Major component (conch shell)
  • Calcium (Ca): ~38%
  • Magnesium (Mg): Trace
  • Strontium (Sr): Trace

Analytical Methods: XRD, FTIR, ICP-OES

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Bhasma

Standard Dosage: 250–500 mg twice daily

Bioavailability: Good; calcium carbonate from conch shell with natural coral matrix

Optimal Timing: Before meals for hyperacidity; with meals for calcium supplementation

Standardized Extract: Calcined conch shell bhasma

Shelf Life: Indefinite

Storage: Airtight, dry container

Marker Compounds: Calcium carbonate (95%), Calcium phosphate, Trace strontium and magnesium

Quality Parameters: Calcium >35%, standard bhasma tests, no marine contaminants

Vehicle (Anupana): Honey, warm water, or lemon juice

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews10

  1. Büyükdağ MH, Burth S, Reddy MM and others. 2025. Guanidine alkaloids from marine spongesThe Alkaloids. Chemistry and biology. PMID 40713153 · doi:10.1016/bs.alkal.2025.06.001
  2. Toulis V, Marfany G, Mirra S. 2025. Marine Derived Strategies Against NeurodegenerationMarine drugs. PMID 40863632 · doi:10.3390/md23080315
  3. Zhu L, Ren Y, Zhang S and others. 2024. Marine-derived polysaccharides: the potential agents against neurodegenerative diseasesFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 39744139 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1506789
  4. Saini N, Sirohi R, A A and others. 2023. Marine-derived Natural Products as Anticancer AgentsMedicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates)). PMID 36476429 · doi:10.2174/1573406419666221202144044
  5. Wu L, Ye K, Jiang S and others. 2021. Marine Power on Cancer: Drugs, Lead Compounds, and MechanismsMarine drugs. PMID 34564150 · doi:10.3390/md19090488
  6. Dyshlovoy SA. 2021. Recent Updates on Marine Cancer-Preventive CompoundsMarine drugs. PMID 34677457 · doi:10.3390/md19100558
  7. Shikov AN, Flisyuk EV, Obluchinskaya ED and others. 2020. Pharmacokinetics of Marine-Derived DrugsMarine drugs. PMID 33182407 · doi:10.3390/md18110557
  8. Nigam M, Suleria HAR, Farzaei MH and others. 2019. Marine anticancer drugs and their relevant targets: a treasure from the oceanDaru : journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. PMID 31165439 · doi:10.1007/s40199-019-00273-4
  9. Hassan SS, Anjum K, Abbas SQ and others. 2017. Emerging biopharmaceuticals from marine actinobacteriaEnvironmental toxicology and pharmacology. PMID 27898308 · doi:10.1016/j.etap.2016.11.015
  10. Lu XL, Xu QZ, Liu XY and others. 2008. Marine drugs--macrolactinsChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 18816519 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.200890155

Laboratory and animal studies2

  1. Blunt JW, Munro MHG. 2023. The Benefits of CollaborationMarine drugs. PMID 36827106 · doi:10.3390/md21020065
  2. Dyshlovoy SA, Honecker F. 2022. Marine Compounds and Cancer: Updates 2022Marine drugs. PMID 36547906 · doi:10.3390/md20120759

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.