Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa, B.A.M.S
Samshamani means medicines which pacify the vitiated doshas. In case of Raktapitta, Samshamani Kriya includes the medicines and formulations which could be used to pacify the vitiated pitta which is the chief culprit in the causation of Raktapitta.

Samshamani Kriya indicated conditions
Conditions for administration of Samshamani Kriya
In patients of Raktapitta, Samshamani Kriya should be advised (implemented) in the below mentioned conditions –
- Bala mamsa pariksheenam – Loss of Bala (strength) and Mamsa (muscle bulk
- Shoka karshitam – patient emaciated due to excess grief
- Bhara karshitam – patient emaciated due to carrying excessive and heavy weights
- Adhwa karshitam – patient emaciated due to excessive walking
- Jwalana Santapta – fire burns
- Aditya santapta – sun burns
- Anyaihi aamayaihi ksheenam – patient emaciated due to chronic or long standing illnesses
- Garbhini – pregnant woman
- Sthaviram – old aged people
- Baalam – children
- Ruksha ashinam – those eating dry foods
- Alpa ashinam – those eating less quantity of food
- Pramita ashinam – limited diet or food
- Avamyam – patients in whom Vamana cannot be administered (or not fit for vamana)
- Avirechyam – patients in whom Virechana cannot be administered (or not fit for virechana)
- Shosha anubandha – when raktapitta is associated with shosha or rajayakshma (wasting diseases, tuberculosis, phthisis)
Shamshamani Kriya comprises of administering medicines, herbs and formulations which have disease modifying effect (action) especially in the presence of the above said conditions.
Read related: Tarpana and Ahara in the treatment of Raktapitta
Medicines and formulations
Samshamani Kriya – Medicines and Formulations for Raktapitta
Kwathas (herbal decoctions)
Atarooshakadi Kwatham – Decoction or infusion of Vasa Patra (leaves of Adhatoda vasica), Mrudwika (raisins) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) mixed with sugar and honey
Padhmakadi Kwatham – Paste of Padhma kashta (stem of Prunus cerasoides), Padhma kinjalka(stamens of lotus flower), Durva (Cynodon dactylon), Vastuka (Lamb’s quarter, Wild spinach, Chenopodium album), Utpalam (blue variety of lotus, water lily), Nagakeshara (Mesua ferrea) and Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) mixed in decoction of Vasa (Adhatoda vasica)
Prapaundarika (Nymphaea lotus) and Madhuka (Licorice)
Bala Kwatha – Decoction of Bala (Sida cordifolia) mixed with powder of mudga (green gram), laja (parched rice, puffed paddy), yava (barley), pippali (long pepper), ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides), Musta (Cyperus rotundus) and Chandana (sandalwood)
Shakrud Rasa Yoga (formulations in fluid extract or liquid portion of animal feces)
Paste of Prapaundarika (Nymphaea lotus) and Madhuka (Licorice) mixed in Ashwa Shakrud Rasa (liquid portion of horse feces)
Paste of Yavasa mula (root of Alhagi camelorum) and Bhringaraja mula (root of Eclipta alba) mixed in Go shakrud rasa (liquid portion of cow feces), should be taken with rice wash water
Gomaya shakrid rasa (liquid portion of cow feces) and Ashwa shakrid rasa (liquid portion of horse feces) mixed with honey and ghee
Churna (herbal powders)
Khadiradi Churna – Powder of Khadira (Acacia catechu), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Kovidara (Bauhinia variegata) and Shalmali (flowers of Salmalia malabarica) mixed with honey
Sringatakadi Churnam – Powder of Shringataka (Trapa bispinosa), Laja (puffed paddy), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Kharjura (dates) and Kamala kesara (stamens of lotus flower) mixed with honey
Ushiradi Churnam – Powder of:
- Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides)
- Kaaleeyaka (Yellow sandalwood)
- Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa)
- Padhma kashta (stem of Prunus cerasoides)
- Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla)
- Katphala (Myrica nagi)
- Shanka bhasma (ash of conch)
- Gairika (red ochre)
- Chandana (lotus)
The powder of the above said should be taken mixed with tandula dhavana (rice wash) and sharkara (sugar)
The above mentioned churna can be taken as a whole formulation or individual herbs mentioned in the formulation can be taken in the below mentioned forms –
- Sheeta Kalpana – The churna or powder of individual ingredients shall be dipped in water overnight, filtered and taken first thing in the morning
- Swarasa – Fresh juice of all or individual ingredients
- Kalka – Paste of all or individual ingredients
- Mrudita or Phanta – Hot infusion of all or individual herbs
- Kwatha – Decoction of all or individual herbs (ingredients)
Peya
Peya in Raktapitta (drink)
Usheeradi Peya – Drink made out of Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides), Padma (lotus), Utpala (water lily) and Chandana (sandalwood) prepared after dipping the powders of these herbs in water overnight and filtering them should be taken after adding sugar and honey, first thing in the morning
Loshta Peya – Drink made after immersing Pakwa Loshta (powder of new earthen pot) in water overnight and filtering it should be taken after adding sugar and honey, first thing in the morning
Priyangwadi Peya – Drink made after immersing Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Chandana (sandalwood), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Madhooka (Madhuca longifolia), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Abhaya (Terminalia chebula) and Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) mixed with Loshta Jala (water dipped with powder of earthen pot) and Shashtika Jala (water washed with rice grown in 60 days) should be taken mixed with sugar
Management of Vatanubandha
In spite of the agni (digestion, metabolism) getting rectified and kapha getting pacified after the administration of Kashayas and other Samshamani Kriyas, if the raktapitta doesn’t get alleviated and if bleeding keeps recurring it indicates the association of vitiated Vata i.e. Vata has not been taken into control (Vatanubandha).
To control Vata and to stop the bleeding, the below mentioned measures shall be done –
Chaga paya – Initially goat’s milk should be given mixed with sugar and honey
Go dugdha – Cow’s milk processed with 5 times water should be given mixed with sugar and honey
Vidarigandhadi gana (Laghu Panchamula or lesser 5 roots) siddha dugdha – Milk processed with Laghu Panchamula should be given mixed with sugar and honey
Draksha Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with draksha (raisins) mixed with sugar
Nagara Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with nagara (ginger) mixed with sugar
Bala Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with roots of bala (Sida cordifolia) mixed with sugar
Gokshura Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) mixed with sugar
Jeevaka Rishabhaka Shrutam Paya – Milk processed with jeevaka (Malaxis acuminata) and rishabhaka (Manilkara hexandra) mixed with ghee of cow and sugar
Ghritas in Raktapitta
Medicated Ghee is very useful in severe bleeding related to Raktapitta, especially bleeding from urinary tract, rectum and nose. Below mentioned are the most effective ghritas (ghee) in Raktapitta.
Vasa Ghrita – Ghee prepared with kwatha (decoction) of branches, leaves and roots of Vasa plant (Adhatoda vasica). This ghee should be taken mixed with honey.
Palasha siddha ghrita – Ghee processed with juice and paste of leaves and petioles of Palasha (Butea monosperma) should be given mixed with ¼ the quantity of honey
Vatsaka Ghrita – Ghee processed with paste of Vatsaka (seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica)
Samangadi Ghrita – Ghee processed with Samanga (Mimosa pudica), Utpala (water lily) and Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa) should be given mixed with ¼ the quantity of honey
Trayamana Ghrita – Ghee processed with Trayamana (Gentiana kurroo) should be given mixed with ¼ the quantity of honey
Udumbara-Patola Ghrita – Ghee processed with Udumbara (Ficus racemosa) and Patola (Pointed gourd) should be given mixed with ¼ the quantity of honey
Shatavaryadi Ghrita – Ghee processed with Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa), Dadima Pushpa (flowers of pomegranate), Tintideeka (Rhus parviflora), Kakoli (Roscaea procera), Meda (Polygonatum cirrhifolium), Yashtimadhu (Licorice), Vidarikanda (Pueraria tuberosa) & Phalapuraka (Citrus medica)
Traditional formulations
Traditional formulations (classical medicines) for Raktapitta
- Bolabaddha Rasa
- Chandrakala Rasa
- Pravala Panchamrita
- Raktapittantaka Lauha
- Kamadhgha Rasa
- Godanti Bhasma
- Pravala Pishti
- Usheerasava
- Lodhrasava
- Pushyanuga Churna
Proprietary medicines
- Tab Ayapon (Alarsin)
- Tab Caparin (Arya)
- Cap Point (Ayulabs)
- Tab Posex Forte (Charak)
- Tab Styplon (Himalaya)
- Liquid Surodhini (Nanjangud)
- Liquid Ultivin (Imis)
- Tab Arshonyt (Charak)
- Tab Pilex (Himalaya)
- Tab Pilocure (Alopa)
- Cap Pilogems (Fort Herbal)
- Cap Pilonil (Dindayal)
- Tab Pilorid (Nagarjuna)
- Tab Pirrhoids (Baidyanath)
- Cap Pylapy (Capro)
- Tab Rectacare (Anuja)
- Tab Rectocare (Bacfo)
- Tab Peptilin (Arya)
- Tab Berb-Enterone (Sandu)
- Cap Bilva (Vitalcare)
- Tab Diarex (Himalaya)
- Cap Dicinil (Fizikem)
- Tab Entoform (Manil)
- Tab Entostal (Solumiks)
- Tab Kosht-Sanjivini (Pavaman)
- Tab Kutajadi (Pavaman)
- Cap Mebarid (Phyto Pharma)
Single herbs
Single herbs useful in Raktapitta
- Vasa – Adhatoda vasica
- Shatavari – Asparagus racemosa
- Kutaja – Holarrhena antidysenterica
- Vatsaka – Seeds of Holarrhena antidysenterica
- Yashtimadhu – Licorice
- Udumbara – Ficus racemosa
- Trayamana – Gentiana kurroo
- Samanga – Mimosa pudica
- Utpala – water lily
- Padhma kinjalka – stamens of lotus flower
- Kamala kesara – stamens of lotus flower
- Padma – lotus
- Padhma kashta – stem of Prunus cerasoides
- Utpala – water lily
- Lodhra – Symplocos racemosa
- Palasha – Butea monosperma
- Jeevaka – Malaxis acuminate
- Rishabhaka – Manilkara hexandra
- Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris
- Bala – Sida cordifolia
- Draksha – raisins
- Laghu Panchamula – lesser 5 roots
- Go dugdha – Milk of Cow
- Chaga Paya – Milk of goat
- Priyangu – Callicarpa macrophylla
- Chandana – sandalwood
- Sariva – Hemidesmus indicus
- Madhooka – Madhuca longifolia
- Musta – Cyperus rotundus
- Abhaya – Terminalia chebula
- Dhataki – Woodfordia fruticosa
- Ushira – Vetiveria zizanioides
- Kaaleeyaka – Yellow sandalwood
- Katphala – Myrica nagi
- Shringataka – Trapa bispinosa
- Laja – puffed paddy
- Kharjura – dates
- Khadira – Acacia catechu
- Kovidara – Bauhinia variegata
- Shalmali – flowers of Salmalia malabarica
- Durva – Cynodon dactylon
- Nagakeshara – Mesua ferrea
Apathya
Apathya in Raktapitta
Apathya or unwholesome foods are touched upon in the context of Nidana of Raktapitta
Related reading –Raktapitta Causes, Premonitory Symptoms, Symptoms, Pathogenesis
Effective Decoctions For Bleeding Disorders From Sahasrayogam
Raktapittahara Kashayam
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 14
a. Shatavaryadi Kashayam
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Shatavari | Asparagus racemosus | The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh | 1. Bleeding from upper and lower orifices of the body 2. Intermittent fevers associated with burning sensation 3. Insanity 4. Menorrhagia |
Krishna Sariva | Hemidesmus inducus | ||
Sandalwood | Santalum album | ||
Ushira | Vetiveria zizanioides | ||
Hrivera | Pavonia odorata | ||
Tanduliyaka | Amaranthus spinosus | ||
Grapes | Vitis vinifera | ||
Manjishta | Rubia cordifolia | ||
Utpala | Nymphaea stellata | ||
Licorice | Glyzyrrhiza glabra |
b. Vata Shringadi Kashayam
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Vata sringa | Ficus benghalensis | The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh by mixing it with the milk | 1. Bleeding disorders |
Vasa | Adhatoda vasica |
c. Chandanadi Kashayam
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Sandalwood | Santalum album, sandalwood | The powders of these ingredients should be mixed in the decoction of Sida cordifolia and be kept overnight. It should be given for oral consumption the next morning. | Cures – 1. Bleeding disorders |
Ushira | Vetiveria zizanioides | ||
Musta | Cyperus rotundus | ||
Laja | Parched / puffed grains | ||
Green gram | Vigna radiate, green gram | ||
Pippali | Piper longum | ||
Barley | Hordeum vulgare, barley | ||
Manjishta | Rubia cordifolia | ||
Utpala | Nymphaea stellata | ||
Licorice | Glyzyrrhiza glabra |
2. Drakshadi Kashayam (Vata-Pitta Jwarahara Kashayam)
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 6
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Grapes | Vitis vinifera | The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served with honey, sugar and powder of parched grains. | 1. Fever of vata-pitta origin 2. Alcoholic intoxication 3. Vomiting 4. Fainting 5. Burning sensation 6. Giddiness 7. Fatigue 8. Bleeding from upper passages 9. Thirst 10. Jaundice |
Madhooka | Madhuca longifolia | ||
Licorice | Glycyrrhiza glabra | ||
Lodhra | Symplocos racemosa | ||
Kashmarya | Gmelina arborea | ||
Sariva | Hemidesmus indicus | ||
Musta | Cyperus rotundus | ||
Gooseberry | Emblica oficinalis | ||
Hrivera | Pavonia odorata | ||
Padmakesara | Filament of lotus | ||
Padmaka | Prunus cerasoides | ||
Mrinala | Nelumbium speciosum | ||
Sandalwood | Santalum album | ||
Ushira | Vetiveria zizanioides | ||
Nilotpala | Nymphaea stellata | ||
Parushaka | Grewia asiatica |
3. Sarivadi Kashayam (Trishnahara Kashayam)
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 33b
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Sariva | Hemidesmus indicus | The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh | 1.Burning sensation 2.Bleeding disorders 3.Thirst 4.Fever |
Ushira | Vetiveria zizanioides | ||
Kashmarya | Gmelina arborea | ||
Madhooka | Madhuca longifolia | ||
white and red types of sandalwood | Santalum album & Pterocarpus santalinus | ||
Licorice | Glyzyrrhiza glabra | ||
Parushaka | Grewia asiatica |
4. Vasaguluchyadi Kashayam (Panduhara Kashayam)
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 46b
5. Shatavari Chinnaruhadi Kashayam (Vataraktahara Kashaya)
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Kashaya Prakaranam, 62b
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Shatavari | Asparagus racemosus | The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh mixed with powder of Glycyrrhiza glabra | 1.Gout 2.Bleeding disorders |
Guduchi | Tinospora cordifolia | ||
Amlaki | Emblica officinalis | ||
Bala | Sida cordifolia | ||
Ikshu kanda | Stem of Saccharum officinarum | ||
Sugarcane juice | Juice of Saccharum officinarum |
6. Duralabhadi Kashayam
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 11
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Duralabha | Fagonia cretica | The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh with sugar | 1. Thirst 2. Bleeding disorders 3. Fever with burning sensation |
Parpataka | Fumaria oficinalis | ||
Priyangu | Callicarpa macrophylla | ||
Bhunimba | Andrographis paniculata | ||
Vasa | Adhatoda vasica | ||
Katukarohini | Picrorhiza kurrooa |
7. Hriberadi Kashayam
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 15
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Hrivera | Pavonia odorata | The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh, mixed with honey and sugar | 1.Severe bleeding disorders, thirst, fever and burning sensation |
Coriander | Coriandrum sativum | ||
Ginger | Zingiber oficinale | ||
Sandalwood | Santalum album | ||
Licorice | Glycyrrhiza glabra | ||
Vasa | Adhatoda vasica | ||
Ushira | Vetiveria zizanioides |
8. Usiradi Kashayam
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 16
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Ushira | Vetiveria zizanioides | The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh with honey | 1.Bleeding disorders |
Sandalwood | Santalum album | ||
Patha | Cissampelos pariera | ||
Grapes | Vitis vinifera | ||
Madhuka | Glyzyrrhiza glabra | ||
Pippali | Piper longum |
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 18
10. Satavaryadi Kashayam
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 19
Ingredients | Botanical Name | Method of using | Indications |
Shatavari | Asparagus racemosus | The decoction prepared with these ingredients should be served fresh | Cures – 1.Bleeding disorders 2.Colic |
Bala | Sida cordifolia | ||
Rasna | Pluchea lanceolata | ||
Kashmarya | Gmelina arborea | ||
Parushaka | Grewia asiatica |
Ref – Sahasrayogam, Parishishta Prakaranam, 111
What are the qualities of lamb’s quarter?
Will write about it shortly.
It has similar benefits to Mexican Tea https://www.easyayurveda.com/2017/03/29/dysphania-ambrosioides-chenopodium-ambrosioides/