Shara
Saccharum bengalense
Shara (Saccharum bengalense) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Kshara (alkali) preparations are highly water-soluble and rapidly absorbed. Silica content (from grass species) has low systemic bioavailability but contributes to local GI effects.
| Botanical name | Saccharum bengalense |
|---|---|
| Identity source | Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. I: SARA (Root) |
| Also called | Saccharum sara Roxb. (attribution recorded without a cited source) Saccharum munja Roxb. (nomenclatural synonym) Tripidium bengalense (Retz.) H.Scholz (nomenclatural synonym) Saccharum spontaneum (attribution recorded without a cited source) |
| Currently accepted name | Tripidium bengalense (Retz.) H.Scholz — the name above is treated as a synonym by GBIF; both are in use |
| Family | Poaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Poales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 2703927 · Wikidata Q12845384 · NCBI Taxonomy 1249013 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Shara |
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Madhura, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Snigdha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Kshara (alkali preparation), Capsule, Arka (distillate)
Standard Dosage: 3-6 g powder per day; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 500 mg - 1 g Kshara with appropriate vehicle
Bioavailability: Phenolic acids and flavonoids show moderate bioavailability (20-35%). Kshara (alkali) preparations are highly water-soluble and rapidly absorbed. Silica content (from grass species) has low systemic bioavailability but contributes to local GI effects.
Optimal Timing: Before meals for urinary and digestive indications; Kshara with warm water or honey
Standardized Extract: Kshara (alkaline preparation) standardized to pH 10-12, total alkalinity NLT 50% as potassium carbonate equivalents; aqueous-ethanolic extract (4:1) for non-Kshara formulations
Shelf Life: Indefinite for Kshara in sealed containers; 24 months for churna; 30 months for capsules
Storage: Kshara is hygroscopic — store in airtight glass or HDPE containers with desiccant. Churna below 25 deg C, protect from moisture.
Marker Compounds: Potassium carbonate (in Kshara), Silica, p-Coumaric acid, Ferulic acid, Tricin
Extraction Methods
- Aqueous decoction
- Kshara preparation (calcination of whole plant and water extraction of ash)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50% ethanol)
- Arka preparation by distillation
Synergistic Combinations
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