Karpoor Rasa - Ingredients, Usage and Dosage

Reference: Ras Chandrika and Bheshajya Ratnavali Atisara Rogadhikara 125 – 126

Karpoor ras is herbo-mineral Ayurvedic medicine. It is available in tablet form. It contains purified hingul which is ayurvedic preparation of red mercury sulphide or cinnabar. It has astringent action and useful in acute diarrhoea and dysentery. It is also called Karpoora vati by some. There are about 29 references available in the text about the medicine, the mostly used reference is mentioned below.

Karpur Ras ingredients, how to make:

Hingulamchahifenam ch mustakendryavam tatha |

Jatiphala ch karpooram sarva samardya yatnat: ||

Jalen vatika karya dvigunjaparimanat : || Ras chandrika

10 g fine powder of each of
Shuddha Hingula – Purified and processed Cinnabar (Mercury compound)
Ahiphena – Purified Opium – Papaver somniferum
Musta – Nut grass (root) – Cyperus rotundus
Indrayava – Connessi seed – Holarrhena antidysenterica
Jatiphala – Nutmeg (fruit) – Myristica fragrans
Karpoora – Camphor – Cinnamomum camphora

Fine power of above ingredient is ground with the Kashaya and juice extract or water for three days each, made into paste and pills are prepared.

Karpur Ras Uses: 

Jvaraatisaarne chayve tathaatisaarrogine |

Grahanishatprakareshu taktatisaar ulbane ||

Tattroganupanen niyojyoayam rasottam : ||

• It is used in the treatment of
• Gastro-enteritis,
• Fever,
• Diarrhoea,
• Dysentery,
• Bleeding per rectum,
• Malabsorption syndrome and
•  Such other gastro intestinal conditions.

Effect on Tridosha – Balances Vata and Pitta.

Karpoor Ras dosage:

30mg to 125 mg once or twice a day, before or after food or as directed by Ayurvedic doctor. It is traditionally administered along with honey, decoction of Musta.

Role of individual drug in the medicine

1.       Hingula (Cinnebar) acts as Anti helminthic and to reduce the Doshas.

2.       Ahiphena – Purified Opium – Papaver somniferum – Acts as Pain Reliever and Anti Diahhreal , decreases the function of the intestine.

3.       Musta – Nut grass (root) – Cyperus rotundus – acts as Pachak dravya.

4.       Indrayava – Connessi seed – Holarrhena antidysenterica – acts as Pitta virechak

5.       Jatiphala – Nutmeg (fruit) – Myristica fragrans – acts as Sthambhak

6.       Karpoora – Camphor – Cinnamomum camphora - acts as Anti helminthics, blood purifier and pittashamak, dilate blood vessels.

Special Precautions:-

Self-medication with this medicine may prove to be dangerous, since it contains Mercury as ingredient.Take this medicine in precise dose and for limited period of time, as advised by doctor.Over-dosage may cause sever poisonous effect.This medicine is not suitable during pregnancy, lactation and in children.

Disclaimer - Advice given in the blog is only for the purpose of information and is not substitute for medical advice. Please contact your doctor before making any lifestyle changes. Do not do self-treatment reading this blog. This blog is only for the reference for registered medical practitioners and ayurveda medical students.