Concept of Haratala drug

Haratala, Manahshila and Somala are important arsenic compounds which are used in Ayurveda. Haratala is most popular among them. Haratala is commonly used in treating the diseases like Sleshmaroga, Raktapitta, Vatarakta, Kustha etc. Haratala is called orpiment of yellow arsenic with two molecules of Arsenic and three molecules of Sulphur (AS2S3). Haratala consumed without proper Shodhana shortens the life span, causes diseases of Kapha and Vata, Prameha, Santapa, Spotha, Snayu Sankocha. Hence Shodhana of Haratala is essential. Shodhana is the process of removal of physical, chemical impurities and potentiating of the drugs. Generally Shuddha Haratala is not given alone. It is administered along with herbal drugs or in the form of Rasamanikya or also as a main ingredient in most of the popular formulations like Samirapannaga Rasa, Vatagajankusha Rasa, Kasturibhairava Rasa, Talakeshwara Rasa etc. There are various Shodhana procedures explained for Haratala in Rasa Granthas like Rasa Ratna Samuchaya, Ayurveda Prakasha and Rasa Tarangini.