Herb × Condition

Bronze/Bell Metal for Conjunctivitis

Sanskrit: कांस्य | Bronze (Cu-Sn alloy)

How Bronze/Bell Metal helps with Conjunctivitis according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

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Overview

Bronze/Bell Metal is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for conjunctivitis. Kansya (Bell metal/Bronze) is an alloy of copper and tin. It produces a resonant bell-like sound when struck. Kansya Bhasma is used in eye diseases, worm infestations, and as a Lekhana (reducing/scraping) agent in obesity. Food cooked in bronze vessels is considered beneficial for intellect. Verses: 48.

How Bronze/Bell Metal Helps with Conjunctivitis

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Bronze/Bell Metal has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing conjunctivitis:

  • Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
  • Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
  • Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
  • Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

Other Herbs for Conjunctivitis

See all herbs for conjunctivitis on the Conjunctivitis page.

Classical Text References (3 sources)

Ghee kept in bronze vessel for more than 10 days should not be taken.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Anna Raksha Vidhi

Tikta Gana – group of bitters :त तः पदोल ाय ती वालकोशीर च दनम ् भू न ब न ब कटुका तगरा गु व सकम ् न तमाला वरजनी मु त मूवाट पकम पाठापामागकां यायोगुडू चध वयासकम ् प चमल ू ं महा या यौ वशाल अ त वषावचा Patoli, Trayanti – Gentiana kurroa, Valaka, Usira – Vetiveria zizanioides, Chandana – Sandalwood, Bhunimba – The creat (whole plant) – Andrographis paniculata, Nimba – Neem – Azadirachta indica, Katuka – Picrorhiza kurroa, Tagara – Indian Valerian (root) – Valeriana wallichi, Aguru, Vatsaka – Hol

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Anna Raksha Vidhi; Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their

A woman desirous of having a male child with large limbs, fair complexion, with eyes like those of a lion (full of vigor), pure, and with good mental disposition should, after her menstrual period, first take a purificatory bath, then be given a light porridge of well cleaned white barley grains duly sweetened by adding honey and ghee, diluted in the milk of a white cow having a white calf, in a utensil made of silver or bronze, regularly in the morning and evening for a week.

— Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर)

golden, silver, bronze vessels with cold water, breeze, and ice bags;

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)

A bronze-colored, water-drop-like lesion in the white of the eye, not soft, painless — this should be known as balasaka (kapha-based growth).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 4: Shuklagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Sclera/White of the Eye)

Pitta-type circle is bluish, bronze-colored, or yellow.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 7: Drishtigata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of Vision/Pupil)

Iron filings, copper dust, neem exudate collyrium, tin, and bronze residue — ground with flower juice.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)

Ghee mixed with bronze residue, or breast milk with saindhava (rock salt), or madhuka (licorice) extract with honey in equal parts, or with gairika (red ochre).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)

ghee combined with bronze residue, or breast milk with saindhava (rock salt).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 4: Shuklagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Sclera/White of the Eye); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 7: Drishtigata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of Vision/Pupil); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.