Crab

Karkata (Crab) meat is heavy and cooling. It is beneficial for the eyes and strengthening. Crab is classified among aquatic creatures. Verses: 47.

• Chakshushya (beneficial for eyes)
• Balya (strengthening)

51 Matsya varga – group of fish म या रो हतापाठ नकूमकु भीरककटाः शुि तश खो श बूकशफर व म चि काः चुलूक न मकर शशुमार त म गलाः राजी च ल चमा या च मांस म याहुर टधा म ृ यं वै क रकं क च ातुदं च बलेशयम ् ासहं च महाम ृ यमपचरं मा यम टधा Rohita (red fish), pathina (boal), kurma (tortoise), kumbhira (gavial, alligator), karkata (crab), sukti (pearl mussel), sankha (conch shell), urdu (otter), sambuka (comman snail), safari (large glistening fish), varmi candrika 9a kind of cat fish) culuki 9propoise,

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

While others which are visible should be held by instruments such Simha- lion faced Varmimukha- fish faced, karkata mukha –crab faced etc.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Shalya Aaharan Vidhi

If bitten by uchittinga (crab), the patient suffers from horripilation, stiffness of penis, intense pain, and feels as if the body parts are sprinkled over by cold water.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

Poisons of crab and scorpion are predominant in vata, those of keeta (insects) are predominant in vata and pitta and kanabha (hornets) etc.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

In all poisons and those located in all parts mostly the cold measures are adopted except in cases of vrishchika (scorpion) and ucchitinga (crab).

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

One should drink ghee prepared with crab juice and tira herbs.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 9: Vatabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Vata-type Conjunctivitis)

Gandhanakuli, Kumbhika, the pith of Badara (jujube), crab shell, ghee, and mustard seeds should be used together for fumigation.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha

Oil prepared with shaivala (moss), mahavritta, jambu, mango flowers, kulira (crab), and manduki is recommended.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 21: Chapter 21

For the oleated patient, oil prepared with kulira (crab) should be used as nasya.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Classification of fractures: twelve types including Karkataka (crab-like), Ashva-karna (horse-ear), Churna (comminuted), etc.

— Sushruta Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 3: Bhagna Chikitsa