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Shukti Bhasma

Shukti Bhasma is a bhasma, a mineral or metal preparation reduced to ash by repeated calcination. Relatively low contamination risk.

Key facts
Substance typeMineral or metal preparation, not a plant
Also known asShukti Bhasma, ShuktiBhasma

The evidence at a glance

1paper on this site for this drug, every one with a DOI.

  • 1Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people.true See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishShukti Bhasma

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as predominant constituent
  • Calcium phosphate
  • Magnesium oxide (MgO)
  • Aluminium oxide (Al2O3)
  • Organic matter (conchiolin protein matrix residues)

How does it work?

  • Antacid and gastroprotective action through calcium carbonate-mediated acid neutralization and mucosal barrier formation in the stomach and duodenum
  • Calcium supplementation through bioavailable marine-derived calcium supporting bone mineralization
  • Pitta-shamana (cooling) action through alkaline buffering of Pitta-excess states including hyperacidity, inflammatory conditions, and burning sensations
  • Calcium and trace mineral provision; traditionally used in peptic ulcer and gastritis conditions

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Hyperacidity and peptic ulcer (Amlapitta): traditionally used as an antacid for these conditions. A clinical study reported a reduction in heartburn symptoms.
  • Osteoporosis and bone disorders (Asthi Kshaya): traditionally used as a source of calcium. A clinical study in osteopenic subjects reported an improvement in lumbar spine bone mineral density.
  • Respiratory and musculoskeletal diseases: traditionally used in Ayurveda and Siddha for diverse conditions, including respiratory and joint disorders.

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

  • TRADITIONALLY CONSIDERED WELL TOLERATED: Traditionally considered well tolerated at the doses given under Dosage, under medical supervision
  • MILD SIDE EFFECTS: Overuse may cause dryness or constipation due to calcium carbonate excess
  • NO INTENTIONALLY ADDED TOXIC METALS: Marine shell-based preparation without intentional toxic heavy metal content. Relatively low contamination risk.
  • MEDICAL SUPERVISION REQUIRED: Self-medication discouraged. Dose should be adjusted based on individual calcium needs and serum calcium levels.

What is it made of?

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Bhasma

Standard Dosage: 250–500 mg

Optimal Timing: With meals

Storage: Airtight container

Marker Compounds: Calcium carbonate (aragonite), Conchiolin (protein matrix), Trace minerals

Vehicle (Anupana): Honey or warm water

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.

Laboratory and animal studies1

  1. Parmar KK, Galib, Patgiri BJ. 2012. Pharmaceutical standardization of Jala Shukti Bhasma and Mukta Shukti BhasmaAyu. PMID 23049199 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.100331

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.

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.