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.