Orpiment: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

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

To this is added one Kudava (192 g) of ash of limestone, shells of mother of pearls, Kshirapaka (Khatika or clay), spiral of conch shell – each made red hot over a pan, fine powder of excreta of cock, peacock, falcon, heron and pigeon, bile of quadrupeds and birds, Ala ( haritala-Orpiment), Manohva (Realgar) and salts, all these are ground into a paste and mixed with the boiling solution, stirring it all the while from all sides.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi

), alai (Haratala- yellow orpiment), are each taken in one karsha (12 gm) quantity and ghee in one prastha quantity and ghee is prepared in classical way.

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

[194-196] Pitaka of manahshila (realgar), yavakshara, haratala (orpiment), saindhava (rock-salt), daruharidra bark mixed alongwith honey and ghee-scum and is kept in the mouth for cure of oral disease.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

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)

Orpiment (Haritala) is a traditional depilatory agent used in many ancient cultures.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Another (depilatory) paste: Talaka (orpiment) two Shanas, Shankha Churna (conch shell powder) six Shanas, and Palasha Kshara (alkali of Butea monosperma) two Shanas -- grind together.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Palasha Kshara (alkali ash of Butea monosperma) provides a strong alkaline medium that enhances the hair-dissolving action of orpiment.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Another paste: 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 (Topical Paste Application)

Garlands of sesame and rice grains, orpiment (Haritala), and Manashila (realgar) (should also be used).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha

Vacha (Acorus calamus), Vayahstha, Golomi, orpiment (Haritala), realgar (Manashila), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), and Sarjarasa (sal resin) -- this group is prescribed for preparing the oil.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha

Sura (liquor), Sauviraka (a fermented drink), Kushtha, orpiment (Haritala), and realgar (Manashila) (should also be used).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 33: Andhaputanapratishedha

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