KsharaSutra Treatment: Introduction, Indication, Contra Indications

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) and Dr Manasa, BAMS
Haemorrhoids, Fistula-in-ano and Anal fissures are the common embarrassing and painful problems occurring in the anal region. They don’t even allow you to ‘sit at peace’ for a while.

They keep on annoying you at all times and also stain your bottom with blood, pus and other discharges. Many people also feel shy expressing these problems and suffer to selves. They are also associated with many other disorders like inflammatory bowel disease, constipation etc.

Ayurveda provides excellent and highly effective remedies towards these ‘anal disorders’. Kshara Sutra is the best among them.

Kshara Sutra is a minimal invasive Ayurvedic Para-surgical procedure and time-tested Ayurvedic technique in the management of Anorectal disorders. It is safe, sure and cost effective method of treatment for fistula-in-ano, haemorrhoids and other sinus diseases.

Though the therapy has been described in Ayurveda by Acharya Sushruta, Charaka and Vagbhata and has been in practice since centuries, the efficacy of this therapy was re-established by the Dept. of Shalya Tantra (Ayurvedic surgical science), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and in later period revalidated by scientific organizations like CCRAS and ICMR. This technique is successfully being practiced in India and other countries towards effectively combating the ano-rectal disorders.

Table of Contents

Meaning of Kshara Sutra

Kshara means alkali
Sutra means thread

Kshara Sutra means thread smeared or impregnated with herbal alkalis. In this procedure, Kshara Sutra or the alkali thread is inserted and knotted into the fistula, pile mass, sinus in anal region or fistula in anal region and left in place for few days. The alkali, by the virtue of its intense and deep penetrating action and by the virtue of its hot potency, burns the pathological area (cauterization effect) and eliminates them from the base. Thus, Kshara Sutra is supposed to be ‘one-shot’ and permanent remedy for these ailing anal conditions, of course with a good follow up and maintenance.

Kshara sutra comes from the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. It is highly effective remedy for these disorders. It has been practiced for ages and has provided relief to millions of people.

Indications

Indications of Kshara Sutra –
Kshara Sutra is an effective remedy for the below mentioned conditions:

Bhagandara – Fistula-in-ano or anal fistula
Arshas – Piles or haemorrhoids
Nadi Vrana – Pilonidal sinus
Sentinel piles
Rectal polyps
Anal Polyps
Anal warts

Contraindications

Contraindications of Kshara sutra
Contraindications of Kshara are the contraindications of ksharasutra. Kshara sutra should not be done in the presence of the below said conditions –

Pitta prakopa – Pitta vitiation
Rakta kopa – vitiation of blood
Abala vata – diminished vata
Jwara – fever
Atisara – diarrhoea
Hrut roga – diseases of the heart
Murdha roga – diseases of the head
Pandu – liver disorders, anaemia
Aruchi – anorexia
Timira – blindness, dimness of vision
Kruta samshuddha – in those who have been administered with Panchakarma therapies recently (cleansing treatments)
Sarvagata shwayathu – swelling all over the body
Bheeru – patients who have fear, cowards
Garbhini – pregnant woman
Rutumati – woman in menstruation (during monthly periods)
Udavrutta phala yonishu – displacement of vagina or uterus in woman
Ajeerne anne – indigestion of food
Shishu – children, infants
Vruddha – old aged people
Dhamani marma sandhishu – over the arteries, blood vessels, joints and vital parts and organs
Taruna asthi – on cartilages
Siraa – on blood vessels, veins
Snayu – on ligaments
Sevani – on sutures of the body
Gala – on the throat
Nabhi – over the navel region
Alpa mamsa desha – over the areas of body where there is less muscles or less protected by muscles
Vrushana – over the testes
Medhra – over the penis
Srotas – in the passages of the body (orifices)
Nakhantare – into the interior of nails
Aksha roga – in the eye diseases (except diseases of eyelids)
Sheeta – on cold days
Varsha – on rainy days
Ushna – summer
Durdina – cloudy days