Tamra Bhasma, Ingredient, Indications, Benefits, Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

Tamra Bhasma is copper-based ayurvedic medicine used for tumors, cancer, liver diseases, anemia, obesity, spleen and liver enlargement, hiccup, abdominal distention, acidity with indigestion and in some other diseases discussed under in therapeutic indication heading.

Ingredients

Tamra bhasma contains copper fine particles processed with herbal juices including aloe vera and lemon juice. Then it is processed under high temperature to make copper Calx.

Chemical Composition

Elemental copper is a primary composition.

Ayurvedic Properties of Tamra Bhasma

RASA (Taste)	KASAYA (Astringent), MADHURA (Sweet), TIKTA (Bitter), AMAL (Sour)
GUNA (Main Quality)	LAGHU (Light), RUKSHA (Dry), TIKSHNA (Sharp)
VIRYA (Potency)	USHNA (Hot)
VIPAKA (Resultant)	KATU (Pungent)

Dosha Karma

Tamra bhasma mainly reduces Kapha Dosha. It detoxifies Pitta Dosha. It promotes a proper flow of Pitta Dosha due to its cholagogue action. Due to this action, it also pacifies Pitta Dosha.

Medicinal Properties

Tamra bhasma has following healing properties.

1. Antacid (only work if you have acidity with indigestion)
2. Expectorant
3. Mild laxative (action is based on stimulation of bile salts from the liver and then improving peristaltic movements)
4. Digestive Stimulant
5. Emmenagogue
6. Hematogenic (helps in formation of red blood cells)
7. Lowers bilirubin
8. Fat Burner
9. Zinc antagonist

Therapeutic Indications

Tamra bhasma is helpful in following diseases along with certain adjuvants.

Diseases	Adjuvants
Hiccup	Lemon Juice, long pepper powder or pistacia chinensis
Irritable bowel syndrome with mucus discharge	Dried ginger and honey
Loose stools with mucus discharge	Long pepper and amla powder or dried ginger and buttermilk
Burning sensation in liver	Pomegranate juice
Loss of appetite or Indigestion	Long pepper and honey or ginger juice and honey
Constipation	Honey and then eat wheat germ or barley germ
Acidity with indigestion	Jaggery, munakka and honey
Urticaria	Turmeric, black pepper and honey or babchi seeds
Spleen or liver enlargement	Long pepper and honey or punarnava powder or Punarnavarishta
Gall bladder stones	Bitter gourd leaves juice

Medicinal Uses & Benefits

The main action of Tamra bhasma is on liver, spleen, stomach, intestines, skin and muscles. It stimulates bile secretion from the liver and gall bladder. Therefore, it increases peristaltic movements, eases digestion and stimulates appetite.

Liver & Spleen enlargement

In ayurveda, Tamra bhasma is a drug of choice for liver and spleen enlargement. Ayurvedic medicines used for liver and spleen disorders including AROGYAVARDHINI VATI and SUTSHEKHAR RAS contain Tamra bhasma as a main ingredient. Tamra bhasma reduces the size of spleen and liver by alleviating inflammation. In these disorders, it is used with long pepper and honey or with aloe vera juice.

Indigestion & Abdominal Distention

However, Tamra bhasma is not generally useful in acidity and heartburn alone. When patient also suffers with indigestion and abdominal distention along with acidity, it becomes useful. It stimulates appetite, rectifies acid production and cures abdominal distention. In this case, it is used with amla and Mulethi.

Gallbladder Stone

Some ayurvedic texts suggest the use of Tamra Bhasma along with the juice of Karela leaves for treating gallbladder stone.

However, we found it is effective for treating pain associated with gallbladder stone.

Unfortunately, we could not conclude the effects of this medicine for removing the stone. Because our most of patients with gallbladder stone discontinue medicine after getting relief from pain. Similarly, we found that Sutshekhar Ras (a preparation of Tamra Bhasma) also is also effective for treating pain associated with gallbladder stone.

A few patients who continued this medicine found a reduction in the size of gallbladder stones. It requires further study to evaluate the effects of Tamra bhasma in gallbladder stone treatment.

Dosage of Tamra Bhasma

Many websites and textbooks have written wrong dosage of Tamra bhasma, which can result in serious side effects and result in critical situations. The correct dosage of Tamra bhasma is as follows.

Safest Dosage (supplementary dosage)	1 to 2 mg
Maximum Safest Daily Dosage (supplementary dosage)	5 mg
Therapeutic dosage	5 to 15 mg
Maximum Daily therapeutic dosage	30 mg
Maximum period of use	Less than 45 Days

You should never exceed the dosage of Tamra Bhasma beyond 30 mg per day. Otherwise, it can result in serious side effects. The common side effect is anal fissure.

Caution & Side Effects

The excess dosage or wrong administration of Tamra bhasma can result in severe side effects including.

1. Nose bleed
2. High blood pressure
3. Anal fissure
4. Mouth ulcer
5. Vertigo
6. Nausea
7. Vomiting
8. Diarrhea
9. Bleeding disorders

You should not take Tamra bhasma without consulting with licensed ayurvedic physician.

Children under age 5 years

Tamra bhasma for children under age 5 years is LIKELY UNSAFE in therapeutic dosage.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tamra bhasma in pregnancy and breastfeeding is LIKELY UNSAFE in therapeutic dosage.

Contraindications

You should not use Tamra bhasma in following diseases.

1. Anal fissure
2. Bleeding disorders
3. Heavy menstrual bleeding
4. Excessive uterine bleeding
5. Nosebleed
6. Kidney (renal) failure or kidney impairment
7. Diarrhea without mucus discharge
8. Sunburn

Drug Interactions

Tamra bhasma is a source of copper, so it can interact with penicillamine, which is used in rheumatoid arthritis and Wilson’s disease. It may decrease the effectiveness and absorption of penicillamine.