Ayurvedic uses of Suhaga (Sodium borate)

Tankan Bhasma (Calcined Borax or Suhaga) is an ayurvedic-calcined formulation prepared from borax powder. In ayurveda, Tankan Bhasma or calcine borax is used for productive cough, breathing problems, wheezing, bronchitis, abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, dandruff, bad breath and foul-smelling urine.

 There are incredible Health Benefits of Suhaga. It is formed in sediment deposits, salt lakes, beaches and is usually well-crystalized. It has a clear opaque look and is found in many parts of the world. Also identified as ‘the miracle mineral’, the health benefits of Suhaga have a special place in the Ayurvedic system.

Suhaga in Ayurveda

Suhaga is used in Ayurveda for its ability to treat various diseases. According to Ayurveda, Suhaga pacifies Kapha and Vata dosha. It has a pungent and salty taste and hot potency. Suhaga is not potentially toxic and in therapeutic dosage given to patients, it is very safe. It has expectorant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, digestive stimulant, diuretic, emmenagogue, antispasmodic, fat burning, and antimicrobial properties. Here are a few impressive health benefits of Suhaga.
Health benefits of Suhaga

Prevents Arthritis

Boron is a successful treatment option for arthritis. With its anti-inflammatory powers already being recognized by traditional medicine like Ayurveda, experts today are exploring it possibilities for treating inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Research suggests that those with arthiritis have lower boron concentrations in their bones along with synovial fluid, and femur heads. Thus use of Boron can stem this. Boron ensures that calcium levels are maximized and used effectively, thus preventing arthritis.

Heals swollen Throat, Mouth, And Tongue Sores

Borax is a remedy to be used as a topical treatment for certain health problems like sores on the tongue or mouth, as well as swelling of the throat. It can cause toxins to disperse from the affected area, bringing down swelling. Borax also eases pain linked to the swelling or sores. The remedy includes application of a paste made by combining borax with Cinnabaris, Borneolum, and Natrii Sulfas Exsiccatus.

Relief from Painful Swollen Red Eye

Borax is paired with Calamina, Borneolum, and Natrii Sulfas Exsiccatus to create eye drops. These are used to soothe the eye when it is red and swollen. Boron protects the eye from a host of parasitic attacks and other nasty fungal infections. With an organ as delicate as the eye involved, and the importance of the correct mix of these ingredients, it goes without saying that this treatment needs to be done only with professional help.

 Suhaga for cardiovascular health

One of the important health benefits of Suhaga is its ability to improve cardiovascular health. It reduces the cholesterol levels in the blood and stimulates the natural antioxidants to reduce the risk of lipid peroxidation. This helps in alleviating the threat of heart problems.

Suhaga for digestive health

According to Ayurveda, Suhaga improves digestive fire due to its hot (Ushna) nature. This helps in the secretion of stomach acids for healthy digestion. It also controls digestive problems like bloating, gas, and indigestion.

Cures Urinary Infections

Borox acts on the urinary bladder, uterus, and stomach, besides the lungs. Its antimicrobial benefits can therefore be tapped to cure urinary infections. Chinese herbal medicine has a similar application in treating urinary dysfunction that involves stone formation in the urine and is often painful. Homeopathy suggests borax for those with cystitis, a condition that causes a sharp pain in the urinary opening and a general ache in the bladder that gives you a feeling of urine being retained.

Enhances Testosterone Levels

Boron is able to enhance the testosterone level in males; this quality is increasingly taken advantage of by male bodybuilders and athletes. Although some weight lifters prefer to take its supplements to enhance their testosterone levels, there has been no concrete evidence or explanation of the mechanism by which it helps to make them any more successful.

Enhancement of female lipido

It has been reported that a quarter of a teaspoon of borax added to one quart of drinking water sipped throughout the course of a day while taking magnesium supplements can reverse male impotency. This can be attributed to many effects of borax on the human body. Borax stabilizes calcium and magnesium in the blood. It stimulates hormone production. Toxic states of hyper fluoride accumulation, internal fungal growth and dangerous microbe production are normalized by borax consumption. Finally, borax has been attributed to female libido enhancement.

Cures Womb Inflammation

Women suffering from womb inflammationare recommended to soak in lukewarm bathwater with borax twice a day. If women displayed profuse, egg-white-like discharge or leucorrhea, they were told to douche with borax and lukewarm water solution three to four times per day. Other symptoms that can be alleviated by borax and water exposure include painful sexual intercourse, blood-streaked vaginal discharge, abdominal distention and false signs of pregnancy.

Helps in cancer Therapy

Boron neutron capture agents are used for cancer therapy and in the development of strong enzyme inhibitors. Its compounds are also used as antibody mimics that can easily identify biologically important saccharides.

Suhaga for cold and cough

Suhaga is loaded with expectorant properties. It has the ability to melt the thick mucus in the lungs. Thus, it clears the mucus from the lungs and expels it out of the body. It is also very effective in the treatment of Bronchitis.

 Suhaga for skin and hair

Suhaga is an excellent medicine for skin and hair problems. Applying Suhaga with coconut oil on the scalp provides relief from dandruff and hair fall. Due to its antiseptic actions, it is also helpful for removing acne and pimples in the skin.

Suhaga for PCOS

Suhaga is an excellent diuretic. It promotes uterine functions like ova secretion and menstruation in women suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). It also prevents urinary tract infections due to the antimicrobial activity.
Although Suhaga is a chemical compound that is found naturally in the Earth, Ayurveda has found an effective way to purify and use the health benefits of Suhaga for the benefit of mankind. Thus, these are some of the impressive health benefits of Suhaga.

 Tankan Bhasma is mainly given in respiratory diseases when any of following symptoms present.
Production of sputum (mucus), which is thick white or yellow-green in color
Shortness of breath with wheezing

Chest congestion due to excess mucus

These are main symptoms of recommending Tankan Bhasma. It should not be given to person with throat irritation, dry (nonproductive) cough and persistent dry cough attacks.

Productive Cough

Tankan Bhasma has expectorant action. It melts the thick mucus and help flushing it out from the lungs, which ultimately relieves productive cough. However, productive cough is actually symptom and it may have several underlying causes. One should also rule out these causes and treatment should be added accordingly.

Bronchitis

However, Tankan Bhasma does not alone work in bronchitis. There is also a requirement of other remedies including Sitopaladi Churna. It is used in bronchitis when mucus is thick and harder to expelling it out.

Dysmenorrhea

Due to antispasmodic action of Tankan Bhasma, it can be used for treating dysmenorrhea. However, commonly it is not used for dysmenorrhea, but it can become beneficial when heavy clots are present in menstrual blood. In such case, one Praval Pishti, Ashoka Powder and Chandraprabha vati should also be used along with Tankan Bhasma.

Dandruff

The scalp application of Tankan Bhasma along with coconut oil or mustard oil helps in curing dandruff.

How to Use:

In dandruff, mix a half tsp. of Tankan Bhasma in coconut oil and apply it on scalp. To increase its effectiveness, add a few drops of Neem Oil in the paste mixture. It also reduces scalp itching. Massage for 3 to 5 minutes. Leave it for 15 to 30 minutes and wash off your head with shampoo.
Alternatively, one can mix Tankan Bhasma and Neem leaves powder. Make a paste with water and apply it on the scalp. Wash off the scalp with shampoo.
Caution: Tankan Bhasma should be used twice a week. The excessive use of Tankan Bhasma application can weaken hair and result in hair fall.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION

The general dosage of Tankan Bhasma is as follows.
Infants 10 mg per Kg body weight *
Children 50 to 125 mg *
Adults 125 to 500 mg *
Pregnancy NOT RECOMMENDED
Geriatric (Old age) 125 to 250 mg *
Maximum Possible Dosage 1000 mg **
* Twice a day ** Total Daily Dosage in Divided Doses
Appropriate Adjuvants
Usually, Tankan Bhasma should be taken in combination with Sitopaladi Churna and honey.