The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c4.s4.21

c4.s4.21

The roots, stems and leaves of these plants or of such of them as are available, are cut into pieces and burnt in a pit. The ashes are then collected and boiled in six times their weight of water till the solution becomes transparent, red, pungent and soapy to the feel. It should then be strained and again put on fire and the following substances added, namely, ashes of *Euphorbia neriifolia* (*snuhi*), and the burnt powders of bivalve and conch shells. The mixture should be constantly stirred and boiled till it is of a thick consistence. The proportion of shell-lime added varies from one fourth to one-eighth or one-sixteenth part of the solution. Caustics of three strengths are thus obtained. Sometimes orpiment and realgar are added to increase their strength.