Overview

Somala is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for skin disorders. Somal (White Arsenic) is a highly toxic mineral poison. After extensive purification (Shodhana), it is used in very minute doses in intermittent fevers (malaria type), chronic skin diseases, and as a component of some Rasa formulations. Unpurified arsenic is lethal. The text gives strict warnings about its toxicity and describes purification methods involving cow's urine, lime water, and other detoxifying agents. Verses: 150-155.

How Somala Helps with Skin Disorders

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Somala has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing skin disorders:

Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
Taste (Rasa): Katu (pungent)
Qualities (Guna): Tikshna (sharp), Ushna (hot)

Other Herbs for Skin Disorders

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Acacia Acacia concinna DC.

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Agarwood Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.

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Alexandrian Laurel Ochrocarpus longifolius Benth. & Hook. f.; Calophyllum inophyllum Linn.

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Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis Mill. (Syn. A. vera Tourn. ex Linn.)

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Alum Potash Alum

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Amla Emblica officinalis

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Annatto Bixa orellana Linn.

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Apamarga Achyranthes aspera Linn.

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)

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.