Vasant Kusumakar Rasa

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Vasant Kusumakar Rasa

How does it work?

• Preclinical studies report improved serum insulin and glycaemic parameters in diabetic rats; the mechanism is not established
• 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 and brain
• 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?

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

• Anti-diabetic activity: traditionally used for Prameha (diabetes). Preclinical studies have reported lower blood glucose, improved insulin sensitivity, and protection against diabetic complications including retinopathy, cardiomyopathy, and encephalopathy.
• Rejuvenative (Rasayana) action: traditionally used as a rejuvenative tonic. Animal studies in diabetic models have reported antioxidant properties and protective effects across multiple organs.

What do recent studies show?

• Singh AD, Chawda MB, Kulkarni YA 2024. Cardioprotective Effects of ‘Vasant Kusumakar Rasa,’ a Herbo-metallic Formulation, in Type 2 Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Rats. Cardiovascular toxicology. PMID 39023814 · doi:10.1007/s12012-024-09891-0
  VKR treatment significantly improved glycemic and lipid profiles, serum insulin, CK-MB, LDH, and cardiac troponin-I in diabetic rats, and improved hemodynamic parameters while reducing cardiac tissue inflammation.
• 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 Animals. Cureus. PMID 39830570 · doi:10.7759/cureus.75905
  VKR at doses 28 mg/kg and 56 mg/kg administered intragastrically to diabetic rats for 16 weeks showed neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and improving neurotransmitter levels in diabetic encephalopathy.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Versions that include Rasa Sindura or Parada contain mercury as HgS (mercuric sulfide) in processed form; after Shodhana (purification), trituration with sulfur (Kajjali preparation) converts mercury to an insoluble sulfide form that has significantly lower bioavailability than organic mercury compounds. X-ray diffraction of a preparation made by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences confirmed cinnabar from Rasa Sindhura alongside tin, lead and iron oxides (Ota S and others 2017, Ancient Science of Life, PMID 29269973). The Ayurvedic Formulary of India version contains no mercury, but every version contains lead (Naga bhasma) or tin, silver and iron
• 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
• Long-term human toxicity data is lacking; the formulation contains multiple heavy metals (gold, silver, tin, lead, iron, and in most versions mercury) requiring strict quality control. One rat study of a marketed product at 50 mg/kg found mercury accumulation in the kidney by autometallography, with kidney inflammation and apoptosis despite improved biochemical markers (Gandhi S, Srinivasan BP, Akarte AS 2013, Experimental and Toxicologic Pathology, PMID 23790456)
• 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 contaminant limits for herbal products: 10 ppm for lead, 1 ppm for mercury and arsenic; these limits are for contamination and do not apply to the mercury intentionally included in versions of this formulation that use Rasa Sindura or Parada, nor to the lead and tin present in every version, so products should be lab-tested by a qualified laboratory before use

What is it made of?

Mineral/Elemental Profile

• Composition is version-dependent: the Ayurvedic Formulary of India entry (below) is a blend of eight metal and mineral bhasmas with no mercury; the Yogaratnakara formula and most marketed products add a mercury preparation (Parada bhasma or Rasa Sindura). Ask the manufacturer which text the product follows
• Classical composition (Ayurvedic Formulary of India Part I, entry 20:42, from Rasendra Sara Sangraha, Rasayanavajikaranadhikara 80-83): Svarna (gold) and Rajata (silver) bhasma 2 parts each; Vanga (tin), Naga (lead) and Kanta Lauha (iron) bhasma 3 parts each; Abhraka (mica), Pravala (coral) and Mauktika (pearl) bhasma 4 parts each, triturated with cow milk, sugarcane juice, Vasa and other plant juices and Kasturi. The AFI entry lists no mercury; its dose is 125 to 250 mg with honey, cow ghee, milk or sugar, and its listed uses are meha, valipalita, smritibhramsha, kshaya, somaroga and karshya. Other versions add mercury: the Yogaratnakara (Prameha chikitsa) formula used by Tamoli and others 2020 (PMID 32312587) has Svarna and Rajata 2 parts, Vanga and Kanta Lauha 3 parts, and Parada bhasma, Abhraka, Pravala and Mauktika 4 parts, without Naga; the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences preparation (Ota and others 2017, PMID 29269973), which cites Rasendra Sara Sangraha and Bhaishajya Ratnavali, used Rasa Sindhura; and the Dhootapapeshwar product used in the 2024 rat studies lists Rasasindoor 4 parts alongside the eight bhasmas
• Note: Restricted use, requires strict Shodhana protocols and expert supervision

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Vati

Standard Dosage: 125 mg twice daily

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

Storage: Airtight, premium container

Marker Compounds: Gold nanoparticles, Silver oxide, Tin oxide, Pearl calcium, Coral calcium, Iron oxide, Mercury sulfide (only in versions that include Rasa Sindura or Parada)

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