Lakshadi Kerathailam – Ingredients, Uses and Dosage

Lakshadi Kerathailam or Lakshadi coconut oil is an ayurvedic medicinal preparation in the form of oil. It is used in treating fever, depletive disorder, insanity, dyspnoea, epilepsy, vata predominant diseases. It also increases strength, protects from yaksha, rakshasa, and bhuta (all evil spirits). It is also good for pregnant women and promotes growth in infants and children.

Ingredients of Lakshadi Kerathailam

Sneha Dravya (oil material)

1. Kera Thaila (oil of Cocos nucifera) -1 prastha (768 ml)

Drava Dravya (liquid material)

1. Laksha rasa (Laccifer lacca) -1 prastha (768 ml)
2. Dadhi mastu (the watery part of the curd/yogurt) -4 prastha (3072 ml)

Kalkam (materials for making the paste)

1. Murva (Chonemorpha fragrans) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
2. Katuki (Picrorhiza kurroa) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
3. Rasna (Alpinia galanga) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
4. Shatapushpa (Anethum graveolens) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
5. Yasthimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
6. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
7. Haridra (Curcuma longa) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
8. Devadaru (Cedrus deodara) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
9. Harenu (Piper cubeba) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
10. Kustham (Saussurea lappa) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
11. Musta (Cyperus rotundus) – 1 karsha (12 gms)
12. Chandana (Santalum album) – 1 karsha (12 gms)

Preparation of Lakshadi Kerathailam

All the above ingredients are taken in the specified quantity. First, Laksha rasa along with dadhi mastu and oil are taken together in a vessel. To this mixture, the herbal paste is added and heated. This mixture should be stirred continuously while heating until the oil attains proper paka. Once the oil is prepared it should be filtered and stored for use.

Indications of Lakshadi Kerathailam

1. Balya (improves strength)
2. Jwara hara ( relives fever)
3. Kshaya hara (cures depletive disorder)
4. Unamada hara (cures insanity)
5. Shwasa hara (cures dyspnea)
6. Apasmara hara (cures epilepsy)
7. Vata hara (cures vata predominant diseases)
8. Yaksha, Rakshasa, Bhutagna (protects from evil spirits)
9. Gharbhini shasyate (good for pregnant women)

Mode of use and Dosage

Lakshadi Kerathailam is used as an external application in convalescence of chronic fever, psychosis and seizure disorders promote growth in infants and children.

Reference:

1. Ashtanga Hrudaya Uttara stana 2/54-57
2. Sahasrayoga Thila prakarana