Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Vasant Kusumakar Rasa

Vasant Kusumakar Rasa is a rasa preparation, a herbo-mineral formulation of the rasa shastra tradition. [Cardioprotective Effects of 'Vasant Kusumakar Rasa,' a Herbo-metallic Formulation, in Type 2 Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Rats](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39023814/). Singh AD, Chawda M, Kulkarni YA 2024.

Key facts
Substance typeHerbo-mineral (rasa shastra) preparation, not a single plant
Also known asVasant Kusumakar Rasa, VasantKusumakarRasa

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishVasant Kusumakar Rasa

How does it work?

  • Pancreatic beta-cell regeneration and insulin secretion enhancement through Swarna Bhasma’s bioactive nanoparticles stimulating glucose metabolism
  • Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action: reduces oxidative stress markers (MDA, ROS) and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-6, NF-kB) in target tissues including heart, brain, and retina
  • Neuroprotective mechanism: modulates neurotransmitter levels (serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine) and reduces neuroinflammation in diabetic encephalopathy
  • Cardioprotective action: improves hemodynamic parameters and reduces cardiac biomarkers (CK-MB, LDH, troponin-I) through reduction of myocardial oxidative damage

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anti-diabetic activity: Multiple preclinical studies (2020-2024) validate traditional use in Prameha (diabetes) showing dose-dependent blood glucose reduction, improved insulin sensitivity, and protection against diabetic complications including retinopathy, cardiomyopathy, and encephalopathy
  • Rejuvenative (Rasayana) action: Traditional use as a rejuvenative tonic partially validated by studies showing antioxidant properties and multi-organ protective effects in diabetic animal models

What do recent clinical trials show?

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Contains mercury as HgS (mercuric sulfide) in processed form; the Shodhana process converts elemental mercury to an insoluble sulfide form that has significantly lower bioavailability than organic mercury compounds
  • A 2008 JAMA study found that 20% of Ayurvedic medicines purchased online (including rasa shastra products) contained detectable lead, mercury, or arsenic, with some products having levels 100-10,000 times above acceptable limits - highlighting the critical importance of sourcing from GMP-certified manufacturers
  • Preclinical studies show safety at therapeutic doses in animal models, but long-term human toxicity data is lacking; contains multiple heavy metals (gold, silver, tin, lead, mercury) requiring strict quality control
  • Contraindicated in pregnancy, lactation, children, and patients with renal or hepatic impairment; must be taken strictly under qualified Ayurvedic physician supervision with periodic monitoring of renal and hepatic function
  • WHO permissible limits: 10 ppm for lead, 1 ppm for mercury and arsenic - products should be lab-tested to confirm compliance before use

What is it made of?

Mineral/Elemental Profile

  • Primary component: Mercury-based preparation (Parada) with herbal processing
  • Note: Restricted use — requires strict Shodhana protocols and expert supervision

Analytical Methods: AAS/ICP-MS (heavy metals), XRD, Namburi phased spot test

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Vati

Standard Dosage: 125 mg twice daily

Bioavailability: Excellent; premium multi-metal Rasaushadhi with broad-spectrum bioavailability

Optimal Timing: Morning and evening with honey, Amalaki Swarasa, or milk

Standardized Extract: Kajjali + Swarna + Raupya + Vanga + Abhraka + Mukta + Pravala + Loha Bhasmas with premium herbs

Shelf Life: Indefinite

Storage: Airtight, premium container

Marker Compounds: Gold nanoparticles, Silver oxide, Tin oxide, Pearl calcium, Coral calcium, Iron oxide, Mercury sulfide

Quality Parameters: Multi-metal assay (gold, silver, tin, iron verified), standard Rasaushadhi tests, free metals below limits

Vehicle (Anupana): Honey, Amalaki Swarasa, milk, or Praval Pishti

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 reviews5

  1. Lu G, Wang X, Zhuang H and others. 2026. Micro- and Nanoplastics in Cardiovascular Toxicology: Human Tissue Detection, Clinical Phenotypes, and Adverse Outcome SignalsCardiovascular toxicology. PMID 42489771 · doi:10.1007/s12012-026-10163-2
  2. Cai L, Tan Y, Holland B and others. 2024. Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Cell Death: Focus on Metal-Mediated Cell DeathCardiovascular toxicology. PMID 38321349 · doi:10.1007/s12012-024-09836-7
  3. Stapleton PA, Minarchick VC, McCawley M and others. 2012. Xenobiotic particle exposure and microvascular endpoints: a call to armsMicrocirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994). PMID 21951337 · doi:10.1111/j.1549-8719.2011.00137.x
  4. Hamlin RL. 1990. Clinical toxicology of cardiovascular drugsThe Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice. PMID 2180190 · doi:10.1016/s0195-5616(90)50039-x
  5. McCauley PT, Bull RJ. 1980. Experimental approaches to evaluating the role of environmental factors in the development of cardiovascular diseaseJournal of environmental pathology and toxicology. PMID 7007557

Laboratory and animal studies7

  1. Singh AD, Chawda MB, Kulkarni YA. 2024. Cardioprotective Effects of 'Vasant Kusumakar Rasa,' a Herbo-metallic Formulation, in Type 2 Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in RatsCardiovascular toxicology. PMID 39023814 · doi:10.1007/s12012-024-09891-0
  2. Singh AD, Chawda M, Kulkarni YA. 2024. Vasant Kusumakar Rasa Ameliorates Diabetic Encephalopathy by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation and Improving Neurotransmitter Levels in Experimental AnimalsCureus. PMID 39830570 · doi:10.7759/cureus.75905
  3. Kong Y, Wei X, Zhang D and others. 2024. Prevention and treatment of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity: A bibliometric analysis of the years 2000-2023Heliyon. PMID 38698971 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29926
  4. Hong M, Wei L, Duan H and others. 2021. Biological variations in hemodynamics and electrocardiogram rhythms among telemetered cynomolgus monkeysJournal of pharmacological and toxicological methods. PMID 34363962 · doi:10.1016/j.vascn.2021.107108
  5. Reece AS, Hulse GK. 2020. Contemporary epidemiology of rising atrial septal defect trends across USA 1991-2016: a combined ecological geospatiotemporal and causal inferential studyBMC pediatrics. PMID 33250054 · doi:10.1186/s12887-020-02431-z
  6. Planchart A, Mattingly CJ, Allen D and others. 2016. Advancing toxicology research using in vivo high throughput toxicology with small fish modelsALTEX. PMID 27328013 · doi:10.14573/altex.1601281
  7. Gorr MW, Youtz DJ, Eichenseer CM and others. 2015. In vitro particulate matter exposure causes direct and lung-mediated indirect effects on cardiomyocyte functionAmerican journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology. PMID 25957217 · doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00162.2015

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.