Shaddharana Choornam – Ingredients, Uses, and Dosage

Shaddharana Choornam or Shaddharana Churnam/Shaddharana Churna is an ayurvedic medicinal preparation in the form of powder. It is used in treating amashayagata vata (diseases related to the stomach) and skin diseases. The name Shaddharana consists of two words Shad (means Six in Sanskrit) and Dharana is an ayurvedic measurement ie 4.8 gms(1/10 of pala).

Ingredients of Shaddharana Choornam (acc to Sushruta)

1. Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) – 1 dharana (4.8 gms)
2. Indrayava (seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica) – 1 dharana (4.8 gms)
3. Patha (Cissampelos pariera) – 1 dharana (4.8 gms)
4. Katuka (Picrorhiza kurroa) – 1 dharana (4.8 gms)
5. Ativisha (Aconitum heterophylum) – 1 dharana (4.8 gms)
6. Abhaya/Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) – 1 dharana (4.8 gms)

Preparation of Shaddharana Choornam

All the above-mentioned ingredients are taken and powdered separately. Then they are mixed in together in equal quantity and stored for use.

Indications of Shaddharana Choornam

It is mainly indicated in Amashayagata Vata. Here the vitiated vata gets lodged in the stomach and produces symptoms like

1. Chardi (vomiting)
2. Moha (delirium)
3. Murcha (Syncope)
4. Pipasa (excessive thirst)
5. Hrudgraha (discomfort in chest region)
6. Parshwa vedana (pain in flanks)
7. Pakwashayaste antrakujana (borborygmus)
8. Nabhi shoola (pain in the naval region)
9. Mutra kruchrata (difficulty in passing urine)
10. Mala kruchrata (difficulty in passing stool)
11. Anaha (distention of abdomen)
12. Trikavedana (pain in joints)
13. Shrotradishwindiya vadham (disturbs the normal function of sensory organs)

Mode of use, Adjuvant and Dosage

In general, it is advised 1 Dharana (4.8 gms) in a day or as directed by the physician.

This is taken along with Ushna jala (hot water) for seven days. This medicine has to be administered after Vamana Karma (therapeutic vomiting) as the amashaya (stomach) is the main seat of Kapha dosha.

Shaddharana Churnam according to Astanga Sangraha

Ingredients of Shaddharana Churnam

1. Darvi (Berberis aristata) – 1 Dharana (4.8 gms)
2. Kalingaka/Indrayava (seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica) – 1 Dharana (4.8 gms)
3. Katuka (Picrorhiza kurroa) – 1 Dharana (4.8 gms)
4. Ativisha (Aconitum heterophylum) – 1 Dharana (4.8 gms)
5. Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) – 1 Dharana (4.8 gms)
6. Patha (Cissampelos pariera) – 1 Dharana (4.8 gms)

Preparation of Shaddharana Choornam

All the above-mentioned ingredients are taken and powdered separately. Then they are mixed in together in equal quantity and stored for use.

Indications of Shaddharana Churnam

1. Gudaja/Arshas (hemorrhoids/piles)
2. Udara (abdominal enlargement)
3. Gulma (abdominal tumors)
4. Kushta (skin diseases)
5. Kostanila (flatulence)
6. Adhyapavana/Urusthambha (stiffness in the thigh)
7. Grahani (digestive disorder)
8. Prameha (diabetes)

Mode of use, Adjuvant and Dosage

In general, it is advised 1 Dharana (4.8 gms) in a day or as directed by the physician.

This is taken along with gomutra (cows urine).

Difference between Shaddharana Choornam of Sushruta Samhita and Astanga Samgraha

In Sushruta’s Shaddharana Choornam Haritaki is added has more anulomana quality. It mainly works on kostagata ama pachana and the Astanga Sangraha’s dose the ama pachana in dhatus.

Shaddharana Choornam should be used carefully as it creates rukshata (dryness) quickly. It is better to avoid in pitta predominant conditions

Mode of Availability

This is available in the form of Powder and Tablet form.

Reference:

1. Sushruta Chikitsa Stana 4/3-4
2. Astanga Samgraha Chikitsa Stana – 21/42