Laksha is a substance used in Ayurveda since ancient times, especially in Vaidya Mishra's 5000 year old tradition of Ayurveda. It is not exactly an herb, but is created when the laccifer lacca (lac beetle) attaches to the branches of certain trees and draws out the sap to eat.
In Shaka Vansya Ayurveda laksha is used to bind and pacify reactive auto-immune toxins in the majja dhatu (bone marrow) and nervous tissues (snayu). Bone marrow and nerves are actually very closely related according to Ayurveda.
When toxins reach these very deep and important tissues in the body, they can cause injury to the nerves. The ulcers of multiple sclerosis on the myelin sheath of nerves are an example of this.
Another example is herpes (visarpa), which is understood by Ayurveda to be caused by toxins coming out of the bone marrow and subsequently getting infected by the herpes virus.
When laksha is used in Ayurveda, it is able to reach the hidden toxins in the nervous tissues and bone marrow by means of its tuvera (deeply penetrating) quality, and it is able to bind those toxins by means of its snigdha (sticky and slippery) quality.
When laksha is used in powder form it must go through the usual process of digestion and metabolism. This is a somewhat slow process, especially if digestion is weak.
Vaidya Mishra's Lakshaya Transdermal Cream allows you to skip the digestive process completely, delivering the sukshma bhag (subtlest fraction) of the herb and the prabhavas (vibrational qualities) of laksha through the skin.
This is very useful when using laksha with a slow digestive or metabolic system, which is often the case today as a result of our modern lifestyle and diet.
When this transdermal cream is used, the vibration of laksha goes to the bone marrow and nerves to help bind toxins there, even if digestion is not good.
Bhava Prakash describes laksha as varnya (good for complexion). Vaidya Mishra explains that this is more for topical use, such as with this transdermal cream.
Though laksha may be applied topically, it penetrates into the deep tissues of the body (tuvera). By binding toxins in those deep tissues (especially bone marrow and nerves), laksha is able to increase the inner glow of the skin. When the deep tissues are healthy, it is reflected in the health of the skin.
Also, when majja dhatu (bone marrow) is healthy, it gives good raw material to make shukra dhatu, which in turn becomes good raw material to make ojas (the connecting factor of the body). When a lot of ojas is available in the body, the whole body glows with health. This glow is what the term varnya (good for complexion) refers to in Ayurveda.
You can download and listen to a 19 minute MP3 audio file by Vaidya Mishra on laksha for 99¢. In this audio presentation, you will go through several verses of Bhava Prakash where the use of laksha is described.
Vaidya Mishra translates each word and explains the meaning according to his family's tradition and his experience using this herb in the West.
If you are a practitioner, or want to learn more about this important herb, we recommend downloading this audio lecture on laksha and listening to it many times. Repeatedly listening to this and other 99¢ audio files by Vaidya Mishra is an easy way to expand your knowledge of Ayurveda.
“Total Lakshaya” (Vaidya Mishra’s proprietary blend), Grapefruit, Ylang-ylang and Sweet Orange in a base of organic Shea Butter with Vegetable Glycerine, Bee’s wax and Jojoba oil
2 oz.
Take a small amount of the cream on the end of a small spoon (try to avoid putting your fingers in the container). Apply as indicated by your Shaka Vansya Ayurveda practitioner. Leave the cream on the skin for at least a half hour or for many hours of steady transdermal absorption, such as before sleep. Rub into the skin when done, or shower to remove.
Use under the guidance of a Shaka Vansya Ayurveda practitioner. As with all herbs, please consult your physician before using.
Cream may cause oil spots on clothing.
Vaidya Mishra often calls laksha by the name lakshaya. The products below go by the name lakshaya.
The Following Products Contain Laksha as an Ingredient
This product and statements have not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and are not intended to be used to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. All of the information above is intended for educational purposes only and may not be used to replace or complement medical advice.