Mahātikta Ghṛta · महातिक्त घृत
Kushtha (all skin disease forms); chronic fevers.
Kandughna Mahakashaya
Kaṇḍūghna Mahākaṣāya कण्डूघ्न महाकषाय
mahakashaya cosmetic-relevant
Anti-pruritic — the 10 herbs that arrest itching, urticarial reactions, and skin sensitivity.
Charaka Sutra 4.11.-(4): “Sandalwood, nardus, purging cassia, Indian beech, neem, kurchi, rape seeds, liquorice, Indian berberry and nut-grass — these ten are anti-pruritics.”
The Kandu-ghna group treats itch (kandu) — including the modern correlates of allergic contact dermatitis, eczema-related itch, prickly heat, and post-inflammatory pruritus.
For a “sensitive skin” cosmetic line, this group is the foundation. Note Chandana, Yashtimadhu, and Daru-haridra are also in the Varnya group — they double-purpose for complexion + anti-itch.
Constituent ingredients (10)
| Ingredient | Botanical | Functions |
|---|---|---|
| Sandalwood (Chandana) Candana | Santalum album | varnya (complexion-promoting), refrigerant, anti-Pitta |
| Jatamansi (Indian Spikenard) Jaṭāmāṃsī | Nardostachys jatamansi | sedative aroma, fragrance, anti-greying hair |
| Aragvadha (Golden Shower) Āragvadha | Cassia fistula | mild purgative, anti-Kushtha, anti-itch |
| Karanja (Indian Beech) Karañja | Pongamia pinnata (= Millettia pinnata) | anti-fungal, anti-microbial, scalp anti-folliculitis |
| Neem (Nimba) Nimba | Azadirachta indica | anti-microbial supreme, anti-fungal, anti-acne |
| Kutaja (Conessi) Kuṭaja | Holarrhena pubescens / H. antidysenterica | anti-amoebic, anti-microbial, skin-disease healer |
| Sarshapa (Mustard Seeds) Sarṣapa | Brassica juncea / B. nigra (whole seed) | warming, anti-microbial, Yuvana-pidaka lepa component |
| Licorice (Yashtimadhu) Yaṣṭimadhu / Madhuka | Glycyrrhiza glabra | varnya, anti-tyrosinase / brightening, anti-inflammatory |
| Daru-Haridra (Tree Turmeric) Dāruharidrā | Berberis aristata | anti-microbial (berberine), anti-Kushtha, Rasanjana base |
| Musta (Nut Grass) Mustā | Cyperus rotundus | digestive, anti-Kapha, anti-itch |