A Critical review about Haratala ( Orpiment )

Abstract

Haratala (Arsenic trisulphide) is an inorganic compound with the formula As2S3. The Haratala is used without proper purification the toxic effects are Daha (burning sensation), Kampaka (tremors), Toda (pricking pain), Kshobha, Pida, Raktadusti (vitiates blood), Kushta (skin disease), Malinikaroti Gatram, Vata Kapha Prakopatamaka Roga, Mrtyusankakara. Coarse powdered material is less toxic because it can be eliminated in faeces before it dissolves, experimental evidence has shown a high degree of gastro-intestinal absorption of both trivalent and pentavalent forms of arsenic. Arsenic is eliminated by many routes (faeces, urine, sweat, hair, skin, lungs) although most is excreted in urine of man.