Hima Kalpana- Cold infusion

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Cold infusion or hima Kalpana is the fourth among the Panchvidha Kashaya Kalpana.

The coarsely powdered herbs are kept in water overnight and rubbed with hands in morning and strained. The liquid obtained is called Hima or Shita kalpana.

Some herbs release there active ingredient in water when soaked for overnight and these herbs may loose activities nutrients on heating because of their volatile nature so we need cold infusion.

Cold infusion (हिम कल्पना)

The fragrant and shita virya dravya on heating converts into Ushana virya and the fragrant and volatile oils are faded away and thus, such substances should not be heated and in order to receive their essential part (saara bhaaga) hima Kalpana is prepared.

Hima Kalpana is prepared in order to drink and make other formulations. .You may also call it infused water.

Definition of Hima kalpana

क्षुण्णं द्रव्यपलं सम्यक् षड्भिर्नीरपलैः प्लुतम्। निशोषितं हिमः स स्यात् तथा शीतकषायकः ।।(शा. सं. म. ख. 4/1)

अर्थात् 1 पल द्रव्य को भली-भांति कूट पीसकर 6 पल जल में रात्रिभर भिगोकर प्रातःकाल मसलकर छान लेने से हिम (शीत कषाय) कल्पना बनती है।

The powdered substance is taken and soaked overnight in water (6 times that of the powder), i.e., if the powder is 1 Pal (48gms) the water must be 6 Pal.

Then it is rubbed with hands in the morning and strained.

द्रव्यादापोथितात्तोये प्रतप्ते निशिसंस्थितात् ।कषायो योऽभिनिर्याति स शीतः समुदाह्यत।। (च. सू. 4/7)

अर्थात् औषध द्रव्य को कूटकर गरम जल में रात्रिभर भिगोकर प्रातःकाल मसलकर छान लेने से शीत कल्पना बनती है।
“प्रतप्ते निशिसंस्थितात्” के स्थान पर “तत्पुनर्निशिसंस्थितात्” ऐसा पाठ भेद भी मिलता है, जिसका अर्थ शीतल जल में भिगोकर रात्रिभर रखना है।

According Aacharya Charaka, the herb is powdered and soaked overnight in hot water and rubbed and strained in the morning.

At some places it is said that instead of hot water cold water is only used.

सम्भवतः पानी को गरम करके उसमें गुनगुना रहने पर द्रव्य को मिलाने से द्रव्य का सारभाग जल में सम्यक् रूप से आ जाता होगा, इसलिए आचार्य चरक ने प्रताप्त जल में भिगोने का निर्देश किया है।

आचार्य यादवजी ने भी 6 गुना शीतल जल में भिगोकर रखने का निर्देश किया है:

द्रव्यमर्धपलं क्षुण्णं त्रिभिर्नीरपलैः प्लुतम् । निशोषितं हिमस स्यात्तस्य मात्रा पलोन्मिता।। (द्र.मु. वि. 3. 2/45)

According Aacharya Yadavji, the powder should be soaked in 6 times cold water.

Quantity (Matra) of Hima :

The quantity of Hima which should be consumed resembles to that of Phanta kalpana.

Matra = 2 Pal (96 ml)

According Aacharya Yadavji, Matra = 1 Pal

Amount of Prakshepa dravya :

The amount of additive substances to be added resembles that of Kwatha and Phanta kalpana.

Use & benefits:

Dhanyaka Hima

Dhanyaka hima when mixed with sugar candy and consumed early morning helps in :

  • Antardaha (Burning sensation)
  • Trishna (excessive thirst)
  • Shamana of doshas
  • Shodhana of strotas

Sarivadi Hima

Contents :

  • Sariva
  • Brihata Sariva
  • Chopchini
  • Manjishta
  • Guduchi
  • Yavasa
  • Rakta Chandana
  • Gulbanpsa
  • Usheera
  • Mundi
  • Chirayta
  • Kamalpushpa
  • Gulabpushpa
  • Dronpushpi
  • Padhmakashta
  • Shankhapushpi

All these are taken 3-3 grams each (total 48 gms) and powdered and soaked overnight in 6 Pal of water , then rubbed with hands & strained. This liquid obtained is Sarivadi Hima.

Matra – 2 Pal

Anupana – sugar candy

Uses :

  • Rakta vikara
  • Pitaja vyadhi
  • Pandu (Anaemia)
  • Kandu (itching)
  • Hastapada daha (burning sensation in hands and legs)
  • Amla pita (acidity)
  • Old fever

Pitapramathi Hima

Constituents :

  • Sanaya churna – 12 gms
  • Pinda kharjura – 16 nag
  • Manjistha Churna – 4 gms
  • Water – 250 gms
  • Sugar – 60 gms

The powder is soaked in water overnight and kept on terrace and strained. Then the sugar is added and given to patient.

Uses :

  • Helps in removal of urine and feces.
  • Pandu (anaemia)
  • Raktapita
  • Kandu
  • Jwara
  • Kamala (Jaundice)

Other Kashaya kalpana:


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