TAMRA DHATU

TAMRA DHATU

• Tamra (Copper) is one of the important dhatus used in Rasashastra for therapeutic purposes.

• It is a metal known since Vedic period and used in both shodhit (purified) and marit (incinerated) forms.

• Tamra is classified under dhatus and is utilized mainly after proper shodhana and marana processes.

  तम्रं कटुतिक्तं कषायं तिक्तं चानिलपित्तकृत्। दीपनं हृदयं रुक्षं विदाहि तुविषं लघु॥

SYNONYMS OF TAMRA

• Tamra

• Rakta

• Arka

• Saha

• Lohit

TYPES OF TAMRA

• Mlechha Tamra – Impure or base form of copper, unsuitable for medicinal use.

• Shuddha Tamra – Purified copper suitable for therapeutic purposes.

  तम्रं द्विविधं प्रोक्तं म्लेच्छं शुद्धं च तद्विदैः। म्लेच्छं न योग्यं भैषज्ये शुद्धं तत्र प्रयोज्यते॥

SHODHANA OF TAMRA

• Tamra must be subjected to shodhana (purification) before any further processing.

• General shodhana method:

  • Heating the Tamra sheet till red hot and quenching it sequentially in liquids like:

    • Tila taila (sesame oil)

    • Takra (buttermilk)

    • Gomutra (cow’s urine)

    • Kanji (sour gruel)

    • Kulattha kwatha (horse gram decoction)

    तैलतक्रगवां मूत्रं कान्जीकुलत्थक्वथान्। पञ्चसु क्वथितं तत्तु तम्रं शुद्धं निगद्यते॥

MARANA OF TAMRA

• Marana is the process of incinerating Tamra to convert it into a fine, absorbable, and therapeutically active Bhasma.

• Steps:

  • Shuddha Tamra is cut into thin sheets.

  • Triturated with specific drugs (e.g., lemon juice or aloe vera pulp).

  • Pellets prepared and dried.

  • Subjected to puta (calcination) using traditional gajaputa or electric muffle furnace.

  • Process is repeated until proper bhasma lakshanas are achieved.

BHASMA LAKSHANA OF TAMRA

• Rekhapurnatva – Enters the creases of fingers

• Varitaratva – Floats on water

• Nisvadutva – Tastelessness

• Nirdhumatva – Smokelessness on heating

• Avami – Does not cause nausea or vomiting

• Anurasa rahitatva – No metallic aftertaste

  तम्रं भस्मत्वमाप्नोति लघु तिक्तं निशोधनात्। दोषान्निघ्नं बलं हन्ति रसायनमुदाहृतम्॥

RASAGUNA OF TAMRA

• Rasa – Tikta, Kashaya

• Guna – Laghu, Ruksha

• Virya – Ushna

• Vipaka – Katu

• Prabhava – Lekhana, Shoshana

THERAPEUTIC USES OF TAMRA BHASMA

• Useful in treating:

  • Yakrit vikara (liver disorders)

  • Shotha (inflammation)

  • Arsha (piles)

  • Pandu (anemia)

  • Shwasa (asthma)

  • Kasa (cough)

  • Krimi (worm infestation)

• Enhances bile secretion and acts as a potent hepatoprotective agent.

• Promotes digestion and relieves constipation.

DOSE

• Tamra Bhasma: 15 mg to 125 mg per day (depending on formulation and condition).

• Always administered with appropriate anupana like honey, ghee, or trikatu churna.

TOXICITY AND ANTIDOTES

• Improperly prepared Tamra Bhasma may cause:

  • Gastric irritation

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Ulceration

• Shuddha and properly incinerated Tamra ensures safety.

• Antidotes include:

  • Ghee (ghrita)

  • Milk

  • Licorice decoction (yashtimadhu kwatha)