Herb × Condition

Copper for Parasites and Worms

Sanskrit: ताम्र | Cuprum (Cu)

How Copper helps with Parasites and Worms according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

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Overview

Copper is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for parasites and worms. Tamra (Copper) is described as the third important metal. Two types are recognized: Nepalese copper and Mlechha copper. Good copper is reddish, soft, heavy, and lustrous. Tamra Bhasma is one of the most important preparations in Rasa Shastra. It is used in liver disorders, spleen enlargement, skin diseases, piles, anemia, and abdominal diseases. Improperly prepared copper Bhasma can cause severe vomiting, burning, and toxicity. It is an excellent Krimighna (anthelmintic) and Yakrituttejaka (liver stimulant). Verses: 19-22.

How Copper Helps with Parasites and Worms

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Copper has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing parasites and worms:

  • Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
  • Post-digestive (Vipaka): Madhura (sweet)
  • Taste (Rasa): Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent), Amla (sour)
  • Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya), Sour (Amla)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Virya)
Hot (Ushna)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Sweet (Madhura)
Key Constituents
Cu (Pure metallic copper)
Also Known As
English: Copper
Sanskrit: ताम्र, म्लेच्छमुख, रक्तधातु, शुल्ब, द्वष्ट
Hindi: ताँबा
Classical Text References (4 sources)

लेखने ता ी For Lekhana Anjana, the Shalaka should be made of copper रोपणे काललोहजा अ गुल च For Ropana, it should be made of iron or finger itself can be used.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Aschotana Anjana Vidhi

13 Putpaka Dravyas भूशय सहानूपमेदोम जवसा मषैः नेहनं पयसा प टैःजीवनीयै च क पयेत ् Snehana Putapaka is done by making use of fat, marrow, muscle fat and juice of meat of animals which live in burrows (Bhushaya), which bite (Prasaha) – cut their food, cow, horse, ass etc, and those which live in Marshy lands (Anupa), or with drugs of Jivaneeya gana- (chapter 15) macerated with milk- 14 म ृगप य ु मांसमु ताय ता सै धवैः ोतोजराश खफेन आलैलखानं म तक ु ि कतैः Lekhana Putapaka is by making use of M

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Tarpana Putpaka Vidhi

12 ता ी शलाका वमुखी मुखे कु बकाकृ तः ल गनाशं तथा व येत ् 15, Shalaka – rod made of copper, with two edges on either side shaped like the bud of Kurabaka, meant for piercing the lens in Linganasa- Cataract couching.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Shastra Vidhi

wounds which have more of fat and Kapha, should be covered with thin sheets of copper, iron, zinc, or lead;

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Shastrakarma Vidhi

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Aschotana Anjana Vidhi; Tarpana Putpaka Vidhi; Shastra Vidhi; Shastrakarma Vidhi

Appearing of copper colored papules with acute pain from which pus oozes out is known as alajī.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)

), sukshmaila (Elettaria cardomum Maton), lavana dvayam (sauvarchala and saindhava), tamra (copper), ayas (iron), rajata (silver), saugandhika (variety of manikya, ruby), jatiphala (Myristica fragrans Houtt), seeds of shana, apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)

Dhuma, shirovirechana, measures described to break the gulma in Gulma Chikitsa chapter, as well as iron, salt, stone, gold and copper should be used for prapidana (compression) of granthi.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

Fine powder of copper mixed with honey is shall be administered first for hrid shodhana.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

Similarly, bhurjagranthi (nodes in the tree of Butea utilis), asmakasisa (copper sulphate), purgatives, guggulu and excrement of sparrow and pigeon should be used for depressing the wounds.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)

The fourth is Tamra (the copper-colored one), the site of Kilasa and Shvitra (types of leukoderma).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 5: Kaladikakhyanam (Description of Kalas etc.)

Place the preparation in a copper vessel (Tamra Kataha) and add eight Palas (approx.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)

The method of purifying metals (Dhatu Shodhana Vidhi): Heat the metal sheets of Svarna (gold), Tara (silver), Tamra (copper), and Ayas/Loha (iron) until red-hot.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 11: Dhatushodhana-Marana (Purification and Calcination of Metals)

Verses 10 through 104 describe detailed procedures for the purification (Shodhana) and calcination (Marana) of various metals, minerals, and gems including: Rajata (silver), Tamra (copper), Lauha/Ayas (iron), Naga (lead), Vanga (tin), Yashada (zinc), Mandura (iron oxide/rust), Kamsya (bell-metal), Pittala (brass), Makshika (iron/copper pyrite), Vimala, Tuttha (copper sulphate), Kasisa (green vitriol/iron sulphate), Shilajatu (mineral pitch), Srotanjana, Sphatika (alum), Tankana (borax), Abhraka

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 11: Dhatushodhana-Marana (Purification and Calcination of Metals)

The planetary associations of metals: Tamra (copper) is governed by Surya (Sun);

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 5: Kaladikakhyanam (Description of Kalas etc.); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 11: Dhatushodhana-Marana (Purification and Calcination of Metals); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations)

A copper-colored, thin, round swelling with burning and pain, arising from blood, is known as parvani.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 2: Sandhigata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Eye Junctions)

A copper-colored nodule in the eyelid with burning and pricking pain, soft, mildly painful, and fine — this is known as anjana-namika.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 3: Vartmagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Eyelids)

If the eyelid is soft, mildly painful, and copper-colored.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 3: Vartmagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Eyelids)

Shukla (white growth) is described as soft in the white of the eye, flesh-colored and copper-red.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 4: Shuklagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Sclera/White of the Eye)

Copper-colored tears, redness of the eye, blood-red streaks all around, and the signs of pitta — these occur in the eye afflicted by rakta (blood).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 6: Sarvagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases Affecting the Whole Eye)

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 2: Sandhigata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Eye Junctions); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 3: Vartmagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Eyelids); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 4: Shuklagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases of the Sclera/White of the Eye); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 6: Sarvagata Roga Vijnaniya Adhyaya (Chapter on Diseases Affecting the Whole Eye)

Other Herbs for Parasites and Worms

See all herbs for parasites and worms on the Parasites and Worms page.

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.