Somala for Skin Disorders: Does It Work?
Does Somala help with skin disorders? This page answers that question as history, not as advice. Somala is White Arsenic (arsenic trioxide), a mineral that classical Ayurveda itself classifies as a poison. It is not a herb and it is never a home remedy.
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes Somala as a highly toxic mineral poison and states plainly that unpurified arsenic is lethal. It records that, only after extensive purification (Shodhana) and only in very minute doses, Somala was used for intermittent fevers, chronic skin diseases, and as a component of some mineral (Rasa) formulations.
Skin disease in Ayurveda goes by the umbrella term Kushtha (Kushtha), which the Charaka Samhita links to the blood tissue, Rakta Dhatu. The Sushruta Samhita (Kalpa Sthana 2) names white arsenic as one of the two mineral poisons.
Any classical use belongs to the specialist branch of mineral pharmacy, Rasa Shastra, in the hands of qualified practitioners. Never use arsenic or any product listing Somala, Somal or Sankhiya to treat your own skin.
How Somala Was Used for Skin Disorders
This section explains the classical reasoning so you can understand references to Somala. It is not a reason to use it. Unpurified arsenic is lethal, and the texts surround even the purified form with strict warnings.
Somala is pungent in taste (Katu Rasa), sharp (Tikshna) and hot in potency (Ushna Virya). Ayurveda associates these properties with strong, penetrating action, which is why the texts reserved it for chronic, stubborn disease rather than everyday complaints. The same intensity is what makes it dangerous and potentially aggravating.
Its hot, sharp nature is the opposite of what most skin disease calls for. Ayurveda reads red, hot, burning skin as a Pitta pattern, and the mainstay herbs for skin are bitter and cooling. That contrast is one reason classical skin care relies on plants first.
Related arsenic minerals, realgar (Manashila) and orpiment (Haritala), appear as single ingredients among many plants in poison-treatment recipes in the Charaka Samhita (Chikitsa Sthana 23). The Sharangadhara Samhita uses arsenic minerals in a chemical hair-removal paste and also describes the signs of arsenic poisoning. Our sources contain no modern research supporting Somala for skin.
How to Use Somala for Skin Disorders
The honest answer is that you should not use Somala for skin disorders, or for anything else. It is a mineral poison. This page gives no dose and no preparation, because there is no safe self-directed way to take or apply arsenic.
| Form | Status | Who handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Raw, unpurified arsenic | Lethal. Never used. | No one |
| Purified Somala (Shodhita Somala) | Classically used only in very minute amounts for chronic skin disease and intermittent fevers | Only a qualified Rasa Shastra practitioner |
| Ingredient in a mineral (Rasa) formulation | Set by the formulation and the prescriber | Only as prescribed |
What purification means
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes purification (Shodhana) involving cow's urine, lime water and other detoxifying agents. These are specialist pharmaceutical procedures, not kitchen preparations, and the text still treats the result with great caution.
If you have been prescribed a mineral formula
Ask the prescriber exactly what it contains and how it was purified. If anyone may have swallowed arsenic or an unlabelled mineral medicine, contact emergency services or a poison control centre straight away.
Safer paths for skin
For skin disorders, Ayurveda relies on plant-based herbs such as Neem, Manjishtha and Khadira, along with diet and external care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Somala safe to use for skin problems at home?
No. Somala is White Arsenic, and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu states that unpurified arsenic is lethal. Even the purified form was used only in very minute doses by specialists. Do not buy, prepare or apply it yourself.
Why does Ayurveda mention arsenic for skin disease at all?
The mineral pharmacy tradition, Rasa Shastra, worked with some toxic minerals only after extensive purification (Shodhana). The Bhavaprakash Nighantu records purified Somala for chronic skin diseases while giving strict warnings about its toxicity. It is a historical record, not a recommendation.
What are safer Ayurvedic options for skin disorders?
Neem is the leading herb for infectious skin conditions. Manjishtha is the best-known blood purifier for red, hot skin, and Khadira is specifically indicated for Kushtha. Turmeric is also linked to skin disease in the Charaka Samhita.
A product I bought lists Somal or Sankhiya. What should I do?
Stop using it and ask the seller or prescriber exactly what it contains and how it was purified. If anyone has swallowed it and feels unwell, treat it as an emergency and contact emergency services or a poison control centre.
Recommended: A Safer Start for Skin Disorders
The right first step with Somala for skin disorders is not to buy it. White Arsenic is a mineral poison, used classically only after specialist purification, in very minute doses, by qualified practitioners.
A safer starting point: Neem is the most widely used Ayurvedic skin herb. It works both inside and on the skin and fights the infection and itch that drive many flares.
Kitchen version: steep 4 or 5 neem leaves in a cup of hot water and sip it as a tea during a flare.
Learn before you act: a good reference book on Ayurvedic skin care is the safest way to understand the classical approach, including where minerals like Somala fit and why they are not for self-use.
Find Neem on Amazon ↗ Ayurvedic Skin Care Books ↗
Safety: never buy, take or apply arsenic or any product containing Somala, Somal or Sankhiya on your own; unpurified arsenic is lethal, and suspected poisoning is an emergency.
Safety & Precautions
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.
Other Herbs for Skin Disorders
See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
The haridra (turmeric), roots of eranda (Ricinus communis Linn), laksha (Ficus Lacor Buch-Ham), manahshila (realgar, an Arsenic compound), jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansone BC), are powdered properly and wick is prepared.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
Sprikka (Delphinium zalil), plava (Cyperus rotundus), sthauneyaka (Taxus baccata), kanksi (Saurashtrika), shaileya (Parmelia perlata), rochana (bile of cow), tagara (Valeriana wallichii), dhyamaka (Cymbopogon martini), kunkuma (Crocus sativua), mamsi (Nardostachys jatamansi), agra (inflorescence) of surasa (Ocimum sanctum), ela (Elettaria cardamomum), ala (Haritala – Purified Arsenic trisulphide), kushtaghna (Khadira – Acacia catechu)), brhati (Solanum indicum), flower of sirisha (Albizzia lebbe
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
, patra (Cinnamomum tamala) aguru (Aquilaria agallocha), musta (Cyperus rotundus) ela (Elettaria cardamomum) Five types of exudates chandana (Santalam album), sprikka (Delphinium zalil) tvak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) nalada (Vetiveria zinzanioides) utpala (Nymphaea stellata) balaka (Valeriana wallichii ) harenuka (Vitex negundo), usheera (Vetiveria zizanoides) vanya (Cyperus rotundus) nakha (Nails of tiger) devadaru (Cedrus deodara) kanaka (Mesua ferrea) kunkuma (Crocus sativus) dhyamaka (Cymbopog
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Mamsi (Nordostachys jatamansi), kumkuma (Crocus sativus), patra (Abies webbiana), twak (Cinnamomnm zeylanicum), haridra (Curcuma longa), tagara, (Valeneria wallichii), chandana (Pterocarpus santalinus), manashila (Arsenic disulphide), vyagranakha (tiger nails), surasa (Ocimum sanctum) pounded with water and used for internal administration (pana), in snuff, collyrium and paste counteracts all poisonous edema.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Chandana (Santalum album), tagara (Valeriana wallichii), kushta (Saussurea lappa), haridra (Curcuma longa), daruharidra (Berberis aristata), twak (Cinnamomnm zeylanicum), manashila (realgar (Arsenic disulphide), tamala (Nicotiana tabacum), juice of nagakesara (Mesua ferrea) and shardoolanakha (nail of a jackal) pounded with rice water destroys all poisons as Indra’s thunderbolt kills the demons.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
For hair removal (Kesha Nashaka): two parts of conch shell powder (Shankha Churna) and one part Haritala (orpiment, arsenic trisulphide).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Add half a part of Manashila (realgar, arsenic disulphide) and one part of Svarjika Kshara (sodium carbonate/sajji).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
The combination of arsenic minerals with alkaline Svarjika creates a potent chemical depilatory.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
The signs of Nagamaya (lead/arsenic poisoning) are briefly described along with Shringura-bhra symptoms.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 4: Venereal Diseases — Sexually Transmitted Infections (Aupasargikopodamsha Adhikara)
The signs of Nagamaya (lead/arsenic poisoning) are briefly described along with Shringura-bhra symptoms.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 4: Venereal Diseases — Sexually Transmitted Infections (Aupasargikopodamsha Adhikara)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application); Parishishtam, Chapter 4: Venereal Diseases — Sexually Transmitted Infections (Aupasargikopodamsha Adhikara)
Gairika (red ochre), saindhava (rock salt), black pepper, godanta (an animal tooth) ink, beef, pepper seeds, shirisha (Albizia) seeds, and manashila (realgar/arsenic disulfide).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
The milky exudations of Kumudaghni, Snuhi and Jala-Kshiri are poisons and are known as the three Kshira-Vishas, Phenasma-bhasma (white arsenic) and Haritala (yellow orpiment) are the two mineral poisons.
— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 2: Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya
The milky exudations of Kumudaghni, Snuhi and Jala-Kshiri are poisons and are known as the three Kshira-Vishas, Phenasma-bhasma (white arsenic) and Haritala (yellow orpiment) are the two mineral poisons.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga); Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 2: Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya; Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.