Kansya Bhasma – Medicinal Properties, Ingredients, Indications, Dosage & More

Reference : Rasratna Samuchya 5

Introduction

Kansya Bhasma is a classical Ayurvedic herbo-mineral formulation prepared from Kansya (bronze), an alloy traditionally composed of eight parts copper (Tamra) and two parts tin (Vanga). Historically, Indians have been familiar with bronze since ancient times. Its use in the form of vessels, statues, and bells is mentioned in ancient texts. Only after the development of alchemical purification and calcination processes (in the 8th century) did the preparation of its ash and its internal medicinal use become prevalent. When subjected to proper Shodhana (purification) and Marana (incineration) processes, Kansya is converted into a fine, bio-assimilable ash known as Kansya Bhasma.

Process Of Making Kansya Bhasm

Acceptable Bronze

Soft and smooth, slightly blackish-white, clean and shiny and red when heated is considered to be the best.

The Purification Of Bronze

It is achieved by first purifying the raw bronze by heating and quenching it seven times each in oil, takra (buttermilk), cow urine, kanji and decoction of kulatha.

After that, the bronze is purified by:

Heating the bronze sheets, purified with oil and buttermilk (buttermilk), to redness in a fire and then quenching them seven times in cow urine.
Placing cow urine and rock salt in a pot and adding fine bronze powder or filings to it. Then, heating this mixture on a stove for one prahar (3 hours) purifies the bronze.

Kansya Maran (Calcination Of Bronze)

Grind equal parts of gandhak (pure sulfur) and hartal (arsenic trisulfide) in lemon juice and apply the paste to the bronze. Let it dry. Now, seal it in a crucible, lute the joints, dry it in the sun, and then heat it in a half-sized earthen crucible furnace. After five such firings, the bronze will be reduced to ash.
Grind equal parts of kansya (bronze) and hingul (cinnabar) with lemon juice and subject it to three successive firings in an earthen crucible furnace. This will produce bronze ash.
Grind equal parts of kansya (bronze) and gandhak (pure sulfur) together with the milky sap of Calotropis procera (Arka) and subject it to three firings in an earthen crucible furnace (gajput). This will also produce bronze ash.
Equal parts of kansya (bronze), manashila (purified realgar), and gandhak (pure sulfur) are triturated with aloe vera juice, and then subjected to three cycles of heating in a closed crucible (gajput) to produce bronze ash.

The color of bronze ashes is black (kajjal colour).

Medicines Containing Kansya Bhasma

Kshayakesari Rasa, Chintamani Rasa, Nityananda Rasa, Makardhvaja Vati, Muktadya Churna, Lakshmivilas Rasa, Vatavidhvasana Rasa, Shadanan Rasa etc.

Properties Of Bronze Ashes

It is bitter in taste; It is light and hot in potency.

Actions

कांस्य लघु च तिक्तीष्णं लेखनं दुप्रसादनम् ।
कृमिकुष्ठहरं वातपित्तघ्नं दीपनं हितम् ।।
घृतमेकं विना चान्यत्सर्वे कांस्यगतं तृणाम् ।
मुक्तमारोग्यसुखदं हितं सात्म्यकरं तथा ।। (Rasratna Samuchya 5/208-209)

Vatapittaghna (Paicified vata and pitta)
Lekhana (Scraping)
Drishtiprasadana (cleansing the sight)
Dipana (Appetiser)
Krimmihar (Antihelminthic)
Kushthahara (Antileprotic)

Note

It is good to eat all kinds of food except ghee in a bronze vessel.

Clinical Usages

Improves digestive fire (Agni) and intestinal motility; useful in indigestion and constipation
Effective anthelmintic in intestinal worm infestations, especially when combined with Vaividang Churna
Beneficial in skin disorders associated with Kapha–Pitta vitiation
Used in eye diseases, including prevention of progression in optic neuropathy
Helps prevent age-related macular degeneration and oxidative damage to ocular tissues
Supports red blood cell formation and improves overall metabolism
Enhances bile secretion and liver–gut function
Useful in internal abscesses due to antimicrobial and pus-drying action
Aids in wound healing and limits spread of infection
Helpful in leucorrhea and Kapha-dominant gynecological conditions
Supports immune modulation and resistance to infections
Assists in relieving fatigue and depressive tendencies (tin component support)

Precautions

Kansya Bhasma is contraindicated in infants and pregnant women.
The medicine should strictly be consumed in prescribed doses only; higher-than-recommended doses are not advised.
Improper or excessive intake may lead to adverse effects such as nausea, dizziness, and aggravation of anal fissures.
It should be avoided in patients suffering from renal impairment, renal failure, or existing anal fissures.

Dosage

Half to One ratti (60 mg to 120mg)
Anupan (drug delivery) with honey and various herbal substances according to disease.

Conclusion

Kansya Bhasma is a classical Ayurvedic formulation that exemplifies the therapeutic application of metals through refined Rasashastra techniques. When properly purified and calcined, it acts primarily as a Deepana, Lekhana, and Krimighna agent, making it useful in digestive disorders, worm infestations, and Kapha–Pitta dominant conditions. Its traditional relevance, supported by classical references such as Rasratna Samuchya, highlights its importance in Ayurvedic pharmaceutics. However, due to its potent nature, Kansya Bhasma should always be used in precise doses and under expert supervision to ensure safe and effective outcomes.