Somala: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Most pages on this site describe plants you could grow on a windowsill or stir into tea. Somala is different. It is White Arsenic, chemically arsenic trioxide (As2O3), a mineral that classical Ayurveda itself classifies as a poison. If you have come across the name in an old formulary or on a forum, the most important thing to know is that this is not a home remedy.

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu, a classical Ayurvedic materia medica, describes Somala as a highly toxic mineral poison and states plainly that unpurified arsenic is lethal. Its Hindi names are Somal and Sankhiya. The Sushruta Samhita, in its chapter on plant and mineral poisons (Sthavara Visha Vijnaniya), names white arsenic and yellow orpiment (Haritala) as the two mineral poisons.

Why does it appear in Ayurvedic texts at all? Because the specialised branch of mineral pharmacy known as Rasa Shastra works with metals and minerals after intensive purification (Shodhana). Only after that process, and only in very minute doses, did the classical texts use Somala, mainly for intermittent fevers of the malaria type, chronic skin diseases, and as an ingredient in some mineral (Rasa) formulations.

This section explains what the classical texts used purified Somala for. It is a historical record, not a recommendation. None of these uses is something you should attempt yourself, and unpurified arsenic is lethal.

Intermittent Fevers

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists Somala as fever-reducing (Jvarahara) and describes its use, after purification and in very minute doses, for intermittent fevers of the malaria type. See our page on fever for the broader Ayurvedic approach, which relies mostly on safe herbs.

The reasoning given is its intensity. Somala is pungent in taste (Katu Rasa), sharp (Tikshna) and hot in potency (Ushna Virya), properties Ayurveda associates with strong, penetrating action.

Chronic Skin Disease

The same text mentions its use in chronic skin diseases (Kushtha). Again, this was purified material handled within a mineral formulation, not raw arsenic applied or swallowed.

Poison Counteraction in Processed Form

Classical sources list an anti-poison action (Vishahara), but only for the processed form. Related arsenic minerals such as realgar (Manashila) and orpiment (Haritala) appear as one ingredient among many in poison-treatment recipes in the Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 23.

Breathing Complaints

In the Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 17, on hiccups and breathlessness, realgar is one ingredient in a medicated smoking wick alongside turmeric and other plants. This is a related arsenic compound, not Somala itself.

The honest answer is that you should not use Somala. It is a mineral poison, and the classical texts give strict warnings about its toxicity. The table below explains how it was handled historically so you can understand references to it, not so you can prepare it.

What Purification Means

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes purification (Shodhana) methods using cow's urine, lime water and other detoxifying agents. These are specialist pharmaceutical procedures within Rasa Shastra, not kitchen preparations, and the text still treats the result with great caution.

Somala is a poison. Classical Ayurveda describes White Arsenic as a highly toxic mineral poison, and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu states that unpurified arsenic is lethal. The Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 2, lists white arsenic as one of the two mineral poisons.

Do Not Self-Medicate

• Never buy, prepare or take arsenic or any product listing Somala, Somal or Sankhiya without a qualified practitioner directing it.
• Even the purified form was used only in very minute doses, and the text gives strict warnings about its toxicity.
• Its properties are sharp (Tikshna) and hot (Ushna), which Ayurveda regards as intense and potentially aggravating.

Recognising Poisoning

The Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 4, briefly describes the signs of lead and arsenic poisoning (Nagamaya), which shows that the classical authors knew these minerals cause harm.

If you suspect anyone has swallowed arsenic or an unlabelled mineral medicine, treat it as an emergency and contact emergency services or a poison control centre straight away.

Pregnancy, Children and Interactions

There is no safe self-use of Somala for anyone, including during pregnancy or nursing, or for children. Our sources do not list drug interactions, which is a reason for more caution, not less.

People who read about Somala usually want to know how it relates to the other arsenic minerals named in classical texts. All of them are toxic and none is for self-use.

For everyday fever or skin support, Ayurveda offers many plant-based herbs. Look at our fever and skin diseases pages and talk to a practitioner rather than reaching for a mineral poison.

Because Somala is a mineral poison, the guidance is the same for every group: do not use it yourself. Our classical sources give no population-specific doses, and unpurified arsenic is lethal for anyone.

Pregnancy & Nursing

Avoid completely. There is no safe self-directed use of arsenic during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and our sources offer no guidance that would justify it.

Children

Avoid completely. Keep any mineral medicine, especially one of unknown composition, well out of children's reach. If a child may have swallowed one, seek emergency help immediately.

Elderly

Avoid self-use. Older adults taking other medicines should be especially careful with any compound mineral formulation and should ask the prescriber exactly what it contains.

Athletes

Somala has no classical role in strength or performance. Its sharp, hot (Tikshna, Ushna) nature and its toxicity make it entirely unsuitable as a supplement.