Ksharasutra: Para-surgical measures – A traditional knowledge

Ksharasutra has been described in the ancient text books of Ayurveda (Indian traditional medical system) as medicated caustic thread, a Para-surgical measures for the treatment of all those conditions which demand gradual excision of overgrown soft tissue. This condition includes haemorrhoids, polyps, papillae and also the non-healing chronic sinuses (i.e. Fistula-in-Ano) and ulcer where debridement is an essential factor to permit a healthy healing pattern. Ksharasutra is prepared by coating in cotton thread with Kshara (Alkali) made from whole plant of Achyranthus aspera L. and with the powder of rhizome of Curcuma longa L., with the sticky latex of Euphorbia nerifolia L.