English Name
Ferrous SulphateDefinition
Kasis is Ferrous Sulphate (FeSO4. 7H2O) also known as Green vitriol, Copper as or melanterite mineral.Synonyms
Samskrta : Kasisaka, PuspakasisaRegional Name
Bangali - Hirākas, English - Ferrous Sulphate, Green vitriol, Gujarati - Hīrākasī, Hindi - Kasīs, HīraKasīs, Kannada - Kaasisa, Annabedi, Malayalam - Turusi, Turus, Marathi - Hirākas, Tamil - Annabedhi, Annapeti (S.F.I.), Telugu - Annabhedi, Urdu - Hira Kasees, Zaj-e-Asfar, Tutia-e-Sabz (N.F.U.M.)Broad Classification
Hydrous ferrous sulphateOrigin and occurrence:
Kasis, a secondary mineral, results from the decomposition of pyrites in the zone of oxidation and is found in small quantities wherever pyrite occurs. It occurs widely as efflorescence on the walls and timbers of mine workings. Kasis is commonly associated with chalcanthite, gypsum and other hydrous basic sulphates. Mostly, commercially manufactured Kasis as a chemical is used for Ayurvedic formulations in the country.Physical Properties
Nature : Massive lumps, Colour : Greenish white, Streak : White, Cleavage : None, Fracture : Uneven, Lustre : Earthy, Tenacity : Brittle, Transparency : Translucent, Hardness : 1.95 to 2, Sp. Gr. : 1.90 to 1.97, Taste : Sweetish, astringent tasteChemical Properties:
Effect of Heat:- Heated before blowpipe, Kasis becomes magnetic as felt by a horse-shoe magnet.
- On strong heating in a crucible, Kasis looses water with evolution of SO2 gas giving pungent smell of burning sulphur.
- Take about 5 g fine powder each of Kasis and borax. Heat the mixture in a crucible. A brown glassy fused mass results.
- Efflorescence: Kasis is efflorescent in dry air. On exposure to moist air, the Kasis crystals rapidly oxidize and become coated with brownish yellow mass.
Śodhana
Shall not be used in formulations without subjecting it to śodhana. Śodhana: [Ref: AFI-Part-I; Appendix-II, Śodhana-6]- Kasis : 1 Part
- Bh¨¬ganīra (Bhrngarāja) [Pl.] : Q.S. for Bhāvanā Method: Powder Kasis, add quantity sufficient bhrngarāja svarasa and grind till complete moisture gets evaporated. Repeat the process for three times.
Properties and Actions
Rasa - Amla, Tikta, Kasāya., Guna - U¾´a, Vīrya - Usna, Vipāka - Katu, Karma - Vāta-Kaphahara, Keśya, Netrya, Rajah pravartaka, Krsnīkarana, Sankocaka, Balya, Kesya, Ranjana, Rakta vardhakaTherapeutic Uses
kandū (itching); visa roga (disease due to poison); Mūtrakrcchra (dysuria); Aśmarī (calculus); Śvitra (Leucoderma / Vitiligo); Pitta Apasmāra (Epilepsy due to Pitta dosa); Pāndu (anaemia); Plihāvrddhi (splenomegaly); Krmi (Helminthiasis/ worm infestation); Gudabhramśa (prolapse of rectum); Visarapa (Erysepales); Netra roga (disease of eyes); Ślesma roga (disease due to kapha dosa)Dose
60 – 250 mgImportant Formulations
Rajahpravartinī vati, Kasisadi taila, Kasisadi ghrta, Śankha drāvaka, Plihari vatikāFormulations