Author: Vd. Pallavi M. Gaikwad Guide: Vd. K. K. Jadhav
M.D. 2nd year, Rasashastra M.D. Rasashastra & Bhaishyajya Kalpana
Institute: S. S. A. M. Hadapsar, Pune.
Introduction:
A view through modern paradigm, Kukkutanda Twaka (egg shell) is considered as a source of calcium. Calcium is found naturally only in compound form. Calcium constitutes 1.5-2% of the body weight, of which 98% is found in bones. A dynamic equilibrium is maintained between the calcium present in the blood and that present in the body skeleton. This equilibrium is maintained by interaction of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone and probably calcitonin.
Ionized calcium accounts for formation of bone and teeth, coagulation of blood, contraction of muscles, cardiac action, milk production, metabolism of enzymes and hormones, transformation of light to electrical impulses in retina, relay of electrical and chemical messages that arrive at the cell surface membrane.
Natural sources of calcium are milk, milk products, eggs and fish, green leafy vegetables, cereals and millets (ragi), drinking water, fruits. 20-30% of dietary calcium is absorbed.1 The ionized calcium in plasma is important in metabolism and disease. Effects of altered calcium concentration are – 1) Hypercalcaemia, 2) Hypocalcaemia. To overcome the need of calcium supplement in hypocalcaemia Kukkutanda Twaka Bhasma can be a better option.
Aim:
To suggest an option of Kukkutanda Twaka Bhasma for calcium supplement.
Objectives:
To study Kukkutanda Twaka Bhasma – its preparation, as a Calcium supplement and its cost effectiveness.
To study hypocalcaemia and egg shell as source of calcium.
Material:
Review of Ayurvedic text - Kukkutanda Twaka Bhasma, other calcium supplements.
Review of modern text - Hypocalcaemia, egg shell as calcium supplement.
1 Preventive and Social Medicine, K. Park, P – 574.
Methodology:
It is a fundamental research. It is a conceptual study under which related Ayurvedic and modern literature is studied.
Discussion:
In Rasashastra Sudha Varga includes compounds containing calcium as its component in varying percentages. These can be used as calcium supplements. It can be again classified according to origin of material, as – 1) Inorganic, 2) Organic2
Inorganic material includes – Sudha, Khatica, Godanti, Shwetanjana.
Organic material includes –
Animal origin – Mukta, Shankh, Shuktika, Kapardika, Shambuka, Prawala, Samudraphena, Kurmaprushtha, Mrugashrunga, Ajasthi, Kukkutanda Twaka, Hastidanta.
Plant origin – Arjuna, Kumari, Surana, Arka, Kutaja, Karanja.
Traditional methods of use of Sudha:3
1) Make powder of material, triturate it with Lemon, Ananta, Nagarmotha, Kumari, Rose water, Gomutra (one of this), then dry it.
Use of Lemon and Gomutra can be explained as –
“An acid reaction in the intestine promotes calcium absorption by favoring solution of the calcium salts, where as an alkaline reaction precipitates calcium and decreases absorption.” P. B. Therapeutics (P.600)
2) Give heat to Sudha till it is puffed well, then powder it. This type of Bhasma is type of Lime only. As lime generates heat after soaking it in water, like that it can burn tongue as soon as it is splashed by saliva. It can cause mouth ulcer also.
3) Triturate preheated Sudha Kalpa with Kumari juice. Again heat it. Repeat process for 7-14 times. Then it can be used.
Marana of Sudha Kalpa is easy and there is less chance of Punarautthapana. So preparation of Sudha Bhasma is quite easy and Nirdosha, so there is no need of Nirutthana or Amrutikarana process.
Kukkutanda Twaka Bhasma:4
Patha – Vruddha Vaidya Patha
Contents – Egg Shell – 1 kg, Tak (Butter Milk) – 1 lit, Kumari juice – 1 lit
Method – Wash egg shells with clean water and soak them in butter milk for 24 hrs. Wash them again and powder it. Triturate it with Kumari juice once and give heat to prepare bhasma.
Output – In preparation of bhasma by this method we gain final product in half quantity of the raw material taken.
Properties – It works on Asthi Dhatu, Sweda, Danta. It is Vatanulomaka, Pittavardhaka, Kaphanashaka.
Rasa – Kashaya, Virya – Sheeta, Vipaka – Madhura
Use – It works well in osteoporosis, osteomalacia, marasmus, dental problems in children
Dose – 3-4 tablets (1 tablet = 200 mg)
Anupana – Milk, Honey, Shatavari Kalpa
Time – Morning and evening (empty stomach)
Viryatavadhi – 3 – 6 month
It is also indicated as Mamsa Vardhaka, Vajikara, effective in Shukra Vikara, Prameha, Swapnadosha and Pradara, Soma Vikara, in post natal period in females.5
Hypocalceamia: When the concentration of calcium ions falls below normal the condition is called as hypocalcaemia. In this nervous system becomes progressively more and more excitable which in turn elicit titanic muscle contractions (tetany). It may also cause convulsions.
Egg Shell as Source of Calcium: The chicken eggshell is 95-97% calcium carbonate crystals, which are stabilized by a protein matrix6. Eggshells present healthy, balanced calcium due to trace amounts of other minerals contained in it. One whole medium sized eggshell makes about one teaspoon of powder, which yields about 750 - 800 mgs of elemental (Elemental amounts are the amounts absorbable) calcium plus other microelements (27 in total). Eggshell calcium is probably the best natural source of calcium, and it is easier for your body to digest and absorb.
Dutch researchers have reported recently a highly positive effect of eggshell calcium (with added magnesium and vitamin D) on bone mineral density in a scientific study (double blind, placebo-controlled). Researchers at the Japan Women’s University, Tokyo studied a combination of vitamin D3 and eggshell powder in animals with osteoporosis. It was able to improve bone mineral density without significantly increasing blood calcium levels. Most people require a minimum of 400 mgs per day (600 mgs by K. Park) of calcium, in addition to calcium from other food sources, so you would take 1/2 teaspoon of the powder per day. Wash empty eggshells in warm water until all of the egg white is removed, but do not remove the membrane because it contains important nutrients. Allow them to air dry thoroughly and grind them to into a fine powder. Store in a covered glass jar or container and keep it in a dry place. 1/2 teaspoon of powdered eggshell add the juice of 1/2 a lemon. Leave it at room temperature for 6 hours; do not leave it longer than 12 hours. It can be taken by the spoonfuls, followed by mouthfuls of water7.
Conclusion:
This literature study provided view that Ayurveda have good number of options for calcium supplements in form of Sudha Varga.
Ayurveda drug processing provides greater bioavailability of drug so it can be preferred over modern calcium supplements.
Ayurveda also provides options for inorganic calcium supplements over which organic can be more preferred for their bioavailability.
Kukkutanda Twaka is cost effective, available in abundance and processing of its Bhasma is easy, safe. Its therapeutic use is easy, safe and supported by detail study in modern science also.
Use of Kukkutanda Twaka Bhasma may be superior to use of only egg shell + lemon juice, as Agni, Bhavana, and Marana Sanskara are done it. It increases fineness of particle which increases absorption, trituration with Kumari juice adds calcium present in Kumari too. This also increases Gamitwa, it acts as Guna Vardhaka.
Kukkutanda Twaka Bhasma can be better option as calcium supplement than other modern as well as Ayurvedic calcium supplements too.
2 Ayurvediya Rasashastra, Chandrabhushana Zaa, P – 446.
3 Ayurvediya Aushadhikarana, Part – 1, P. V. Dhamanakara. P – 321-322.
7 Bee Wilder, http://nourishedmagazine.com.au/blog/articles/how-to-make-calcium-using-egg-shells
