Yavakshara
Yavakshara is a salt or alkali preparation used in Ayurveda. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
| Substance type | Salt or alkali preparation, not a plant |
|---|
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Yavakshara |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) - primary component
- Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3)
- Silica (from barley plant epidermis)
- Calcium carbonate (trace)
- Magnesium (trace)
- Potassium chloride (trace)
- Mineral microelements from barley ash
How does it work?
- Antacid action: Potassium carbonate and sodium carbonate directly neutralize excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach, providing rapid relief from hyperacidity and acid reflux
- Anti-urolithiatic: Alkaline pH of urine after absorption dissolves calcium oxalate and uric acid crystals; potassium citrate formed in vivo inhibits new stone nucleation
- Digestive enhancement: Despite alkaline nature, Ushna virya (hot potency) stimulates Agni (digestive enzymes) after initial acid neutralization, improving overall digestion
- Srotoshodhana (channel clearing): Sharp and penetrating qualities clear obstructed srotas (channels), particularly in urinary and digestive tracts
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Amlapitta (hyperacidity/GERD): Direct acid-neutralizing mechanism scientifically validates primary traditional indication; comparable to modern antacid drugs
- Ashmari (urinary calculi/kidney stones): Alkalinization of urine and crystal dissolution properties provide strong scientific basis for traditional anti-urolithiatic use
- Gulma and Anaha (abdominal distension/bloating): Acid neutralization reduces bloating from acid-mediated fermentation; improved digestion reduces gas production
What do recent clinical trials show?
3 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
- Must be used in strictly controlled doses (125-500 mg); excessive intake can cause alkalosis, electrolyte imbalance, and mucosal erosion
- Contraindicated in patients with renal insufficiency (potassium accumulation risk) and alkalotic conditions
- Long-term unsupervised use may lead to metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia paradox, or sodium overload
- Should be consumed with Madhu (honey) or warm water as Anupana to reduce mucosal irritation
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Potassium
- Silica
- Magnesium
- Sodium carbonate
- Calcium carbonate
- Potassium chloride
- Mineral microelements from barley ash
Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Kshara (alkaline ash extract)
Standard Dosage: 0.5–2 g with warm water or buttermilk
Bioavailability: Good; alkaline potassium salts readily absorbed
Optimal Timing: Before meals for Deepana; after meals for Pachana
Standardized Extract: Barley (Yava) ash alkaline extract — premier Kshara in Ayurveda
Shelf Life: 12–18 months
Storage: Airtight, moisture-proof container (very hygroscopic)
Marker Compounds: Potassium carbonate (primary), Potassium hydroxide, Trace barley minerals
Quality Parameters: pH 10–12, potassium content as labeled, total alkalinity, no excess free alkali
Vehicle (Anupana): Warm water, buttermilk, or honey
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.