Overview
Realgar is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for parasites and worms. Manahshila (Realgar) is a red arsenic mineral. It is used after purification in skin diseases, worm infestations, fevers, and poisoning. It is a component of many Rasa formulations. Two types are recognized — Shyama (dark) and Rakta (red). It must be carefully purified as it contains arsenic. Used externally in skin diseases and internally in very small doses. Verses: 63-65.
How Realgar Helps with Parasites and Worms
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Realgar has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing parasites and worms:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
- Taste (Rasa): Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light)
Other Herbs for Parasites and Worms
See all herbs for parasites and worms on the Parasites and Worms page.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
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
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Kshar-AgniKarma Vidhi
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)
Manashila (realgar), sarja rasa (exudate of Shorea robusta Gaertn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
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)
Manashila (Realgar), manjishtha, lac, haridra and daruharidra used as paste with ghee and honey is an excellent cleanser of skin.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
[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)
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); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
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)
A paste of Suvarna Pushpi (Cassia fistula flowers), Kasisa (green vitriol/ferrous sulphate), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Manashila (realgar), Rochana (Gorochana/ox bile), and Saindhava (rock salt) destroys Kshitra (leucoderma/white spots).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Earthen (mineral) substances include: gold (suvarna), silver (rajata), gems (mani), pearls (mukta), realgar (manah-shila), clay (mrit), and pot-shards (kapala), etc.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 1: Vedotpatti Adhyaya - Origin of Ayurveda
Non-venomous (therapeutic) leeches are of six types: (1) Kapila — brownish, realgar-colored sides, unctuous, mud-colored;
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 13: Jalaukavacharaniya Adhyaya - Leech Therapy
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)
Manashila (realgar), abhaya (haritaki), vyosha (trikatu), bala (Sida), and kalanusariva (dark Sariva).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
River-born shimbi (legumes), trikatu as anjana, manashila (realgar), the two nisha (turmeric and daruharidra), and yashikidrava.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 1: Vedotpatti Adhyaya - Origin of Ayurveda; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 13: Jalaukavacharaniya Adhyaya - Leech Therapy; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
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.