After taking 2 tabs of Icchabhedi rasa

One day, I had planned to take Ichabhedi rasa for vivechan purpose. It was supposed to be taken at empty stomach. Early in morning, I went for toilet once and then after took two tablets of Ichhabhedi rasa at about 7 am in morning. I was confused if the tablet disintegrated easily with water but I was also not willing to have it in powder form or by chewing. Usually Ayurvedic medicines gives bad taste in mouth.  So I kept the tablets in a cup of lukewarm water and noticed that it was disintegrating well. So I swallowed it with water.

Then I waited eagerly to see what and how it happens. I had a belief that I will start having purgation after half an hour. But nothing happened even after one hour of intake of the tablets. Then I drank about 2 glass of lukewarm water. I used to take lukewarm water whenever I had bowel upset in past. Half an hour after that I had loose motion once and the content was some what clear warm water.

Nothing significant happened in next one hour except having weak continuous pain in epigastric and periumbilical region. When there was no clear signs of purgation, I thought to have some food and go to unusual work. I had plain rice, dal and vegetables in half amount of my regular diet. But as soon as begin walking after meal, I had strong urge of nausea which was followed by vomiting. I vomited all of the food I had had.

Ten to fifteen minutes after vomiting ( about 3 hour after tablets intake), I begin having urge of bowel movement, loose motions and abdominal cramps. But these all went on increasing in severity such that I was unable to stay outside toilet. Earlier there were 4-5 bowel movement with forceful purgation. These all are almost normal for purgatory actions of Ichabhedi rasa. Later I begin to experience abdominal pain and cramps increasing in intensity. I had feeling something very hot in anal and rectal region. The burning sensation used to get temporarily relieved after loose motion episodes. The amount was however low in quantity. Then for next hour I had moderate abdominal cramps and pain, continuous urge for bowel movement with very low amount of fluid during loose motion. It was such that I could hardly stay one minute outside toilet. Whenever I tried to lie on bed or have some massage or walk, the cramping pain increased following toilet rush. Every time, I checked the loose motion contents. It was clear fluid with small pellets of stool only in beginning with no blood, mucus or froth in it.

I drank about two glass of cold water in several sips so that the purgatory actions stooped. But cold water didn't relieve anything. I started to panic a little and hoped that it stopped soon. I had one tablet Pantoprazole  40mg and one tablet of Buscopan and one more tablet half an hour later. After about 45 min of taking these medicines, I begin to feel gradually better. Burning sensation in anal canal with sense of fluid accumulation persisted next hour too.

After 2 hours of taking pantoprazole and buscopan (about 5.5 hours after taking two tables Ichabhedi rasa and 3 hours after onset of purgation), the abdominal cramps and loose motion begin to scatter and relieve. Though burning sensation in anus persisted for long. Finally I was able to lie on bed and took rest. It was all new experience with such strong acting Ayurvedic medicines.

I advice to take this medicine with caution and only upon Ayurveda doctor advise and prescription. Never have this medicine in over dose or self prescribe it. More over, keep PPI, antispasmodic, antidiarrhoeal, oral dehydration solution ready before you take this medicine.

Some informations about Ichhabhedi rasa
Ichhabhedi Ras is an Ayurvedic medicine in tablet form. It is used in the treatment of ascites, constipation and bloating.  This medicine contains heavy metal ingredient, hence should only be taken under strict medical supervision.

Ichhabhedi Ras Uses:

1. It is used in the treatment of ascites, constipation and bloating.
2.It is used to induce purgation.
3. It is used in Ayurvedic panchakarma treatment called Virechana.

Effect on Tridosha – Balances Pitta and Kapha.

Icchabhedi Ras dosage:

250  mg before or after food or as directed by Ayurvedic doctor. It is traditionally administered along with cold water. Till the time patient drinks cold water, there will be purgation.

After taking this medicine, patient is advised to take  rice with buttermilk.

Ichhabhedi Rasa side effects:
1. Self medication with this medicine may prove to be dangerous, since it contains Mercury as ingredient.
2. Take this medicine in precise dose and for limited period of time, as advised by doctor.
3. Over-dosage may cause sever poisonous effect and diarrhoea.
4.This medicine is not suitable during pregnancy, lactation and in children.
5. Keep out of reach and sight of children.
6. Store in a dry cool place.

Ichhabhedi Ras ingredients
10 g fine powder of each of
Shunti – Ginger Rhizome – Zingiber officinalis
Maricha – Black pepper – Piper nigrum
Shuddha Parada – Herbal purified Mercury
Shuddha Gandhaka – Herbal purified Sulphur
Tankana Bhasma – Borax
Shuddha Jayapala – Croton tiglium – 30 g
Fine power of above ingredient is ground with the juice extract, made into paste and pills are prepared.

Reference: Bheshaj Ratnavali Udara Rogadhikara 13 – 105

Manufacturers: Dabur, Baidyanath, Shree Dhootapapeshwar Ltd, Zandu