Mahātikta Ghṛta · महातिक्त घृत
Kushtha (all skin disease forms); chronic fevers.
Tikta Sarpih (Bitter Ghee — simple)
Tikta Sarpis तिक्त सर्पिस्
Also known as: Tiktakam Ghritam · Simple Bitter Ghee
ghrita facebody pittakapha Tier S · verbatim classical
Indications
mild Kushthachronic feverGulmahaemorrhoidsedemajaundice
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Modern | Classical |
|---|---|---|
Base (Sneha) | ||
| Cow Ghee (Goghrita) · Goghṛta / Sarpis | 750 g | 1 Prastha |
Kalka — paste herbs | ||
| Musta (Nut Grass) · Mustā | 24 g | 0.5 Pala |
| Rakta-Chandana (Red Sandalwood) · Rakta-candana | 24 g | 0.5 Pala |
| Long Pepper (Pippali) · Pippalī | 24 g | 0.5 Pala |
| Kutaja (Conessi) · Kuṭaja Indra-yava (seed) | 24 g | 0.5 Pala |
Drava — liquid medium | ||
| Haritaki (Chebulic Myrobalan) · Harītakī Triphala component | 96 g | 2 Pala |
| Bibhitaki (Beleric Myrobalan) · Bibhītakī | 96 g | 2 Pala |
| Amalaki (Indian Gooseberry) · Āmalakī | 96 g | 2 Pala |
| Neem (Nimba) · Nimba Pichu-marda | 96 g | 2 Pala |
| Trayamana (Felwort) · Trāyamāṇā | 96 g | 2 Pala |
Source
Sushruta Cikitsa 9.10: “Two Pala weight of each of the following drugs, viz., Triphala, Patola, Pichu-marda, Atarushaka, Katu-rohini, Duralabha, Trayamana and Parpataka should be taken and boiled together in a Drona measure of water. The boiling should be continued till it is reduced to one fourth of its original quantity. Then half a Pala weight of each of the following drugs, viz., Trayamana, Musta, Indra-yava, (red) Chandana, Kirata and Pippali should be pasted together. This pasted Kalka and the decoction should be cooked with a Prastha measure of clarified butter. The medicated Ghrita thus prepared is called the Tikta-Sarpih.”
Position in the formulary
Tikta Sarpih is the simpler, gentler version of Mahatikta Ghrita — same therapeutic class (anti-Kushtha, bitter, Pitta-Kapha-pacifying) but with 14 herbs instead of 26, and lighter doses. Use Tikta Sarpih for mild cases and for first-time users; switch to full Mahatikta for serious chronic dermatoses.
How to apply Internal: 6-12 g on empty stomach with warm water for mild Kushtha. External: as applied ointment for general skin upkeep.
Vaidya review required
This formulation requires verification by a qualified vaidya before clinical or commercial use — for botanical-identity confirmation, dose calibration, and patient-population safety.
Related recipes
Vyaṅgahara Ghṛta · व्यङ्गहर घृत
Vyanga (melasma); Nilika (bluish pigmentation).
Mahātikta Ghṛta · महातिक्त घृत
Kushtha (all skin disease forms); chronic fevers.