Sankha bhasma.

Churna.

Several sorts of lime are used in Hindu medicine. Thus we have lime from limestone called churna. Then we have lime from calcined cowries, conch-shells, bivalve-shells and snail-shells, called respectively, Kapardaka bhasma, Sankha bhasma, Sukti bhasma, and Sambuka bhasma. These shells are purified by being soaked in lemon juice, and are prepared for use by being calcined within covered crucibles. Lime is used internally in dyspepsia, enlarged spleen and other enlargements in the abdomen, and externally as a caustic. Lime enters into the composition of a great many prescriptions for different sorts of dyspepsia. The following are a few examples.

Amrita vati.1 Take of calcined cowries five parts, aconite two parts, black pepper nine parts, and make into two-grain pills. They are used in loss of appetite and indigestion.

Agnikumάra rasa.2 Take of borax, mercury and sulphur, each one tola, aconite, calcined cowries and conch-shells, each three tolas, black pepper eight tolas, rub them together for twelve hours with lime juice and make into twelve-grain pills. This medicine is said to increase the appetite and cure indigestion. Calcined conch-shell in half a drachm doses is recommended to be taken with lime juice in enlarged spleen.3

Lime is used in various combinations as a caustic for different diseases. Thus a mixture of conch-shell lime, impure carbonate of soda (sarjikά) and the ashes of Raphanus sativus (mulaka), is applied to tumours and enlarged glands.4 A mixture of lime, carbonate of soda, sulphate of copper and borax is applied as a caustic to tumours and warts. Lime enters into the composition of depilatories. Thus take of conch-shell lime three tolas, orpiment and the ashes of Butea frondosa (palάsa), one tola each, and rub them together with the juice of plantain stalks or of Calotropis gigantea (arka). This paste is applied seven times to the part from which the hair is to be removed.5