Kansyam Buddhivardhakam

The Sanskrit saying ‘Kansyam Buddhivardhakam’ means Kansa sharpens our intellect. Kansa metal is an important Mishra-Loha (an alloy) of copper and tin (ratio 4:1) and has been favorably mentioned in one of the important ancient texts on ancient Indian Alchemy called Ayurveda Prakasha.
Ayurveda Prakasha is written by Shrimad Madhava Upadhyaya in circa 16th-17th century AD. This metal is well known in the western world with the name of Bell metal or Bronze.

“The three — body, mind and soul — are like a tripod, the world stand by their combination; in them everything abides. It is the subject matter of ayurveda for which the teachings of Ayurveda have been revealed.” ~ Sutrasthana of Charaka Samhita, ayurvedic text. (1.46–47)

The Ayurvedic system of medicine has great antiquity, dating back to about 5000 years B.C. Its Materia Medica contain resources in the form of drugs derived from plant, animal, metal and mineral sources.
Charaka (चरक) (3rd century BCE) was one of the principal contributors to Ayurveda, a system of medicine and lifestyle developed in Ancient India. Charaka Samhita concentrates on internal medicine (kayachikitsa) and is one of the most ancient, comprehensive and authoritative works of Ayurveda and is considered the original reference book of holistic Ayurvedic medicine.

According to Ayurveda eating and drinking from Kansa has an alkalinizing effect on our body and is extremely beneficial for our health and well being. Water and food when stored in Kansa vessels promote healthy red blood cell development, regulate thyroid gland functioning and strengthen bones and are known for generations for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Kansa Bhasma (also spelled as Kansya Bhasma is a particular type of Kansa in powdered form) is a metal-based Ayurvedic medicine and an important medicine that balances Kapha and Pitta.
Intake of the Kansa bhasma is used in the treatment of extreme hairfall, intestinal worms and skin diseases. It helps stimulate digestion and is a very good tonic for the eyes. Copper in the metal helps with red bold cell formation and helps boost immunity. Tin has anti-cancer properties and induces sleep and insomnia by supporting the adrenal gland functions.
According to the description given in Ayurveda texts, there are two varieties of Kansya viz. Pushpa and Tailika, only the former being acceptable for therapeutic applications.

The utensils we eat from are equally as important as what we eat.
When it comes to cooking and serving in utensils made from Kansa, there are a few guidelines to be followed.
Don't use them to cook acidic things. Kansa metal interacts with any type of acidity to give bitterness to food.
Most importantly when buying Kansa, make sure you are not confusing Kansa (Bronze) with Brass.
Brass may look the same but is an alloy made with Copper and Zinc, unlike Kansa which is Copper and Tin.

Kansa is also known as the Kanh in Assam and the making of this metal is a complex and laborious hand-beaten process by highly skilled tribal artisans in Orissa and Assam.
When buying these utensils, buy from trusted sources and get them directly from the artisans if possible.
You know it is good authentic Kansa metal when the metal gives a sharp sound (Teekshna Shabdam), is soft (Mridu) and smooth to touch (Snigdha), slightly grayish (Eshat Shyamalam) in looks, clear from impurities (Shubhram/Nirmalam) and turns red on heating (Dahe Raktam).

A magical tool for Self Care

Kansa has recently got much awareness in the western world especially because of its detoxifying application when used as a massage wand by therapists.
Using a Kansa wand to massage the body with coconut oil has many benefits.
It helps with the elimination of toxins and balances one’s doshas by helping the body release the highly acidic toxins lodged in the lymph nodes. It also calms and rejuvenates the body by amplifying the body’s natural bioelectrical network and energizing the electromagnetic energy of the body which runs in the meridians and chakras.

At home, apart from serving in Kansa I've been recently massaging the kids with warm coconut oil using the Kansa wand I got from my grandmother.
I am grateful for all the artisans who practice and produce this metal to date.
I am always in awe of the rich wisdom and knowledge my elders and our culture holds. It truly is a gift and I plan on continuing to explore as long as I live.
May the use of Kansa light all our intellects!