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INTRODUCTION: Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn.) Kshara is mentioned in Charaka Samhita Grahani Chikista Adhyaya. It is indicated in Hridaroga (heart diseases), Pandu (anemia), Grahani dosha (bowl disorder), and Gulma (abdominal distention). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bhallataka Kshara is prepared by Putapaka (incineration) method. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The method of preparation needs a strong heat (Prakhar agni), and hence, a temperature of 650°C was maintained. CONCLUSION: There is a 69.37% of loss in terms of yield in the preparation of Bhallataka Kshara in the electrical muffle furnace mentioned at 650°C.

Objective: At present, the entire world is fighting against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Despite all the possible efforts, there is no proven and effective medicine or vaccine discovered till date. There are strong reasons for demanding alternative therapies that could be used in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Data Source and Review methods: An extensive literary and multiple database (Science Direct, PubMed, Springer, and Google Scholar) search was carried out for related published works on kshara and alkali in the domains of Ayurvedic, traditional, and modern knowledge. Kshara (alkali) made of aswagandha, tulasi, and pippali is used as a medicine and a dietetic adjuvant in respiratory diseases in Ayurveda. “Khar” is one of the popular traditional food items of Northeast India, well known for different therapeutics. Kshara (alkaline water), prepared from banana and black gram, contains a rich amount of potassium (K), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and iron (Fe), with pH of 10.22–13.00 and 10.02, respectively. Kolakhar (alkali made of banana) has been found to inhibit the growth of different pathogens in in vitro studies. Result and Discussion: Alkaline environment within the normal range of blood pH positively influences the inflammatory, immune, and antiviral mechanisms of the body, which is said to be one of the reasons to keep the body healthy and immune to disease. There is scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of kshara in treating viral respiratory infections. In vitro studies have demonstrated the inactivation effect of alkaline medium on respiratory viruses. Conclusion: Kshara could be a potential pharmacotherapy and food adjuvant in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Warts are generally managed using cryosurgery, keratolytic ointments, curettage and electrodessication. Warts, vis-a-vis Charmakila, in Ayurvedic classical texts are classified into different types depending on the dominance of dosha. Ayurveda prescribes oral medications, topical use of Kshara (alkaline ash of herbs), Agni (thermal cautery) and Shastrakarma (surgery) for removal of Charmakila. Use of topical Kshara in the form of powder, aqueous solution i.e. Ksharodaka and Ksharasutra (thread smeared with Kshara) for warts has been reported. However, these methods necessitate multiple sittings and takea longer duration for removal of the warts. Herewith, we report a case series of different types of warts treated with intralesional infiltration of Apamarga Ksharodaka (AK), i.e. aqueous solution of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera) Kshara. We observed that all these warts took a minimum of 2-6 days to shed off, leaving minor scars. There were no adverse reactions reported in any of these cases.