The Compendium of Caraka 3.1.17

3.1.17

kṣāraḥ punarauṣṇyataikṣṇyalāghavopapannaḥ kledayatyādau paścādviśoṣayati&, sa pacanadahanabhedanārthamupayujyate; so 'atiprayujyamānaḥ keśākṣihṛdayapuṃstvopaghātakaraḥ saṃpadyate/

Alkali, moreover, endowed with heat, sharpness, and lightness, moistens at first and afterwards dries out; it is used for digesting, burning, and piercing; when used to excess, it brings about harm to the hair, eyes, heart, and virility.