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.
- Antacid (only work if you have acidity with indigestion)
- Expectorant
- Mild laxative (action is based on stimulation of bile salts from the liver and then improving peristaltic movements)
- Digestive Stimulant
- Emmenagogue
- Hematogenic (helps in formation of red blood cells)
- Lowers bilirubin
- Fat Burner
- 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.
- Nose bleed
- High blood pressure
- Anal fissure
- Mouth ulcer
- Vertigo
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- 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.
- Anal fissure
- Bleeding disorders
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Excessive uterine bleeding
- Nosebleed
- Kidney (renal) failure or kidney impairment
- Diarrhea without mucus discharge
- 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.
