Orpiment: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Orpiment is not a herb at all, and that is the first thing you should know about it. It is a bright yellow mineral, arsenic trisulphide (As2S3), known in English as Orpiment or Yellow Arsenic and in Sanskrit as Haritala (Haritala), with the Hindi name Hartal.

Classical Ayurveda took it seriously as medicine and as a danger. The Sushruta Samhita names it as one of the two mineral poisons, and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Varga 7) insists that it must be carefully purified before any use. That purification step is called Shodhana (Shodhana), a set of classical processing methods meant to reduce a substance's harmful effects.

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes two types: a foliated, flaky form (Patra Haritala), considered superior, and a massive, lumpy form (Pindi Haritala). It was used for skin diseases, vitiligo and worm infestations, applied externally for hair removal, and included in mineral-based preparations known as Rasa formulations (Rasa Aushadhi).

This page explains what the classical texts say. It is not a guide to using orpiment yourself. Orpiment is never for self-use.

The classical texts describe several uses for orpiment. Read them as history and as the work of trained practitioners using purified material, not as a list of things to try at home.

Skin Conditions and Vitiligo

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu classes orpiment as Kushthahara (Kushthahara), meaning it acts against skin disease. Its pungent and bitter tastes (Katu, Tikta) and hot potency (Ushna Virya) are the properties Ayurveda associates with this kind of strong, clearing action.

The Sharangadhara Samhita records an external paste for leucoderma (white patches on the skin):

Talaka (orpiment) one Shana measure, Vakuchi (Psoralea corylifolia/Bakuchi) four Shanas, ground with cow's urine as a powder paste, this destroys leucoderma.

Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi

Hair Removal

The same chapter of the Sharangadhara Samhita lists orpiment as a depilatory paste ingredient, combined with conch shell powder (Shankha Churna).

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

Worms and Parasites

Orpiment is classed as Krimighna (Krimighna), an agent against worms, and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu names worm infestations among its uses. This is why it is connected with parasites and worms in classical thinking.

Hiccups and Breathing

In the Charaka Samhita chapter on hiccups and breathlessness (Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 17), orpiment appears as one of several ingredients in a medicated ghee prepared in the classical way.

Oral Disease

The Charaka Samhita (Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 26) describes a mixture of realgar, orpiment, rock salt, Daruharidra bark and other ingredients, mixed with honey and ghee, held in the mouth for oral disease.

Rejuvenation and Debility

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu also lists orpiment as Rasayana (Rasayana), a rejuvenative, and as Vishaghna (Vishaghna), an anti-poison. This is the basis for its classical link to weakness and debility. That role belongs only to purified orpiment inside practitioner-made Rasa formulations.

You should not use orpiment yourself in any form. Every classical use assumes the mineral has first been purified (Shodhana) and then prepared by a trained practitioner. Our sources give no dose for personal use, and none should be guessed.

Why there is no home version

The Bhavaprakash Nighantu says orpiment, like realgar (Manahshila), must be carefully purified before use. Raw orpiment is arsenic trisulphide, which the Sushruta Samhita lists among the mineral poisons.

If you are interested in a formulation that contains it, speak with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner and a medical doctor before taking anything.

Orpiment is an arsenic compound. Unlike most substances on this site, it is not a gentle herb with a few exceptions. It is a recognised poison in the classical texts themselves.

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

What this means for you

• Never self-medicate. Do not buy, take or apply raw orpiment.
• Purification is required. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu says it must be carefully purified (Shodhana) before any use, and that work belongs to a trained practitioner.
• External use is not a safe shortcut. Classical skin and hair-removal pastes were still practitioner preparations.
• Get medical care. If you think you or someone else has swallowed or been exposed to orpiment, contact emergency services or a poison control centre.

Our sources do not list specific drug interactions or overdose signs, so this page does not guess at them. Any product containing orpiment should only be used under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner working with a medical doctor.

Orpiment is a mineral, so it does not compare neatly with herbs. The useful comparisons are with the substances the classical texts name alongside it.

Our sources give no modern comparative research, so these rows describe classical context only.

Classical sources give no population-specific guidance for orpiment. Because it is an arsenic compound listed among the mineral poisons, the guidance below is simple and cautious.

Pregnancy and Nursing

Do not use orpiment in any form during pregnancy or while nursing. Our sources contain no guidance supporting any use in these situations.

Children

Do not give orpiment to children in any form. Keep any product that may contain it out of reach.

Elderly

Although orpiment is listed as a rejuvenative (Rasayana), that classical role applies only to purified material in practitioner-made formulations. Older adults should not take it on their own.

Athletes

Our sources give no classical guidance for athletes, and no reason to use orpiment for performance or recovery. For any of these groups, consult a qualified practitioner and a medical doctor.