Preparation of Kshara Sutra
The word Kshara is derived from the root kshar,
means to to perish. It is described as a material which cleanse the morbid
doshas, by Acharya Sushruta. According to the method of preparation it is
considered as caustic material, obtained from the ashes after distillation and
it is mostly alkaline in nature .
Kshara
Sutra
Kshara Sutra is a Sanskrit phrase. Kshara here
indicates corrosive or caustic material, and Sutra means a thread. It is one
of the
popular modality of Ayurvedic
treatment in the branch of Shalya tantra for various surgical disorders.
The credit for standardization of Kshar Sutra and
making it useful in surgical practice in modern era goes to Dr. P. J.
Deshpande, his research officer Dr. S. R. Gupta and his co- workers. The Dept.
of Shalya- Shalkaya, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU, should be credited for the
abundant use and popularization of this technique.
Method
of preparation
A number of different drugs are used in various
combinations for the preparation of kshara sutra. The ksheera normally used for
the preparation of kshara sutra are Snuhi, Ark, Udumbara etc. And the kshara
used are Apamarg kshara, Ark kshara, Kadali kshara etc.
Commonly the following drugs are used for the preparation
of kshara sutra are-
·
Snuhi Ksheera- Milk of stem of Euphorbia
neriifolia
·
Apamarga Kshara- Extract of Achyranthus
aspera
·
Haridra powder
·
Thread – Barbour linen no. 20
For the preparation of kshara sutra in a dust free environment and
in a systematic manner, kshara sutra cabinet is used in which several
aluminium/ steel frames are mounted which are drilled with small hooks for
holding the threads in place at an interval of about one and a half inch. The
thread which is commonly used for this purpose is Barbour linen thread no. 20,
because its tensile strength is reduced to the least extent in comparison to
other threads after the completion of the procedure.
In this procedure, total 21 coatings are given. The
thread is mounted on the frames. Folded gauze piece is soaked in the fresh
latex of snuhi (Achyranthus aspera) and the thread is coated with kshera from
down upward. The frame is kept for drying in the cabinet. Second coating is
done only after when the first coating is completely dried. The temperature
inside the chamber may be increased by passing hot dry air with the help of
blower. The air inside the chamber should be kept circulating to facilitate the
quicker drying of the thread. In the same manner total 11 coatings of snuhi
ksheera is done.
The next seven coatings are done with snuhi ksheera
and apamarga kshar. Ksheer here acts as a binding agent. For this first thread
is coated with snuhi ksheera then with apamarga kshara. Only 3-4 threads are
coated with snuhi ksheera at a time, and then it is passed through the pile of
Apamarga kshara on a flat plate when the thread is wet. Kshara gets stick on
the thread. Then the threads are again kept for drying in the cabinet. Care
should be taken the thread should be smooth and the kshara should not get
coated as knot on the thread. The thickness of the thread should be even.
In the same manner, the next 3 coatings are given
with snuhi ksheera and fine haridra powder, with the same precautions.
When the thread is completely dried, it should be
cut in the required sizes. Each thread is kept in the glass tubes which are
sealed on flames. Then these glass tubes are sterilized by UV radiations. This
glass tube is broken only when kshara sutra is required for the procedure.
