Shonitasthapana Gana – Styptic Group Of Herbs Review, Benefits

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD.
In Ayurveda, Shonita means blood. Blood being one among the seven tissues, has its significant role in regulating the function of vital organs and to give life to the individuals. Without proper amount of blood and regular functions of blood the body cannot remain healthy. 

So whenever bleeding is found measures are to be taken immediately so as to arrest the bleeding. The drugs possessing this quality are called Steptic (Rakta skandhana drugs).

In addition the herbs referred here have Raktavardhana (hemetenic) and Raktaprasadana (blood function and structure maintenance and regulation) action also.

So in total ‘Shonitasthapana’ group of herbs altogether contribute qualitative and quantitative regulation or normalization functions.

Shonitasthapana Gana

Let us review the quality and action of these drugs one by one in brief –

1. Madhu – Honey
Energizer, hemetenic, scraping, eye tonic, tissue replenisher, pro active or universal vehicle etc.

2. Madhuka – Licorice – Glycyrrhiza glabra – Root
Expectorant, rejuvinative, cholegogue, complexion enhancer etc.

3. Rudhira (Crocus sativa Linn.) – Gall
Haemetenic, steptic, coolant, adaptogenic etc.

4. Mocharasa (Salmalia malabarica Schott & Endl.) – Resin/ exudate
Restorative, energizer, steptic, anti diarrhoeal, absorptive etc.

5. Mritkapala – Earthen pot pieces
Haemetenic, steptic, absorptive etc.

6. Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) – Stem bark
Absorptive, uterine tonic, steptic, restorative etc.

7. Gairika (Ferrum haematite) – Red ochre
Haemetenic, anti tussive, energizer, tonic etc.

8. Priyangu (Callicara macrophylla) – Seeds
Restorative, stimulant, energizer, wormicide etc.

9. Khanda Sharkara – Organic sugar candy
Tonic, instant replenisher, steptic, rejuvinative etc.

10. Laja – fried paddy/ parched rice
Energizer, anti emetic, antacid, diuretic, anti flatulent, digestive etc.

Qualities,Therapeutic uses

Qualities in general and actions of Shonitasthapana gana drugs:
The drugs referred under the heading of Shonitasthapana are astringent or sweet in taste and they are cold in potency. Majority of the drugs are mild – cold – heavy – slimy and unctuous in nature. They are sweet in metabolic change (Madhura vipaka). These act as coolants, steptic, antacid, anti emetic, tissue replenisher and rejuvinative in action.

Therapeutic uses of Shonitasthapana gana drugs:
Shonitasthapana drugs are effective in acute and chronic bleeding disorders, menorrthagia, haemorroids, haemoptisis etc. In addition they are beneficial in lethargy, fatigue, syncope, anemia, neuritis, numbness, recurrent abortion etc also.

Ayurvedic medicines

Formulations containing Shonitasthapana drugs :
Lodhrasava, Pachottyadi kashaya, Sootashekhara rasa, Laghusootashekhara rasa, Laja manda, Priyangwasava, Gairikadi lepa, Yashtyadi choorna, Pushyanuga choorna etc are the important formulations containing the drugs referred in Shonitasthapana gana drugs.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Shonitasthapana gana drugs:
The formulations containing the above ingredients should be used with utmost caution in the patients with lesser clotting time.

Simple formulations

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
Shuddha gairika can be used as such in the above said conditions like anemia, menstrual irregularities, blood borne disorders etc.

Yashtimadhu – Lodhra – Mocharasa etc can be made into fine powder or tablet and can be practiced routinely for haemorroids, menorrhagia, menstrual irregularities etc.

Formulation development opportunities

Blood being the life of every individual its qualitative and quantitative maintenance is important in every respect both in ill health as well as healthy individuals. So if the suitable formulations like tablets – syrups – linctus or capsules are prepared the need of the time can be fulfilled. Also there is scope for the design of cost effective, safe and efficacious herbal supplements usable in anemia, bleeding disorders and blood borne disorders can be handled quite confidently by such recipes.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD