24/09/2025
Haratala is orpiment or arsenic trisulfide (As2S3). Haratala is included in Uparasa and described as one of the seven Upadhatu mentioned in Rasa Grantha. This mineral is in therapeutic use since Charaka Samhita period. Among all Visha Dravya, Haratala is the only mineral mentioned in the treatment of various acute and chronic diseases. Haratala is enlisted in schedule E(I) of poisonous drugs under Drugs and Cosmetic Rules 1945.
Its synonyms are Haritala, Taal, Talak, Nagabhushana, Natamandanaka, Shailushabhushana, Bidalaka, Chitragandhaka, Pinjara, Vanshapatraka, Aala, Pitanaka, Mallagandhaja, Taalmaala, Maala, Pinjaka, Romaharana, and Pita. It is of two types: Patra (Barki) Haratala and Pinda Haratala.
In Charaka Samhita, Haratala is used as an external application in various skin disorders and in the subject of Shirovirechana as an ingredient of Dhumapana. Haratala is indicated for skin diseases apart from Unmada (insanity), Hikka (hiccups), Shwasa (dyspnea), Kasa (cough), and in Visha Chikitsa (toxicosis) in the form of oil and Sura. It is also used for Pradeha, Pralepa (the external applications), Dhumapana (smoking), Anjana (collyrium), and in the form of powder and Agada for internal uses.
In Sushruta Samhita, Haratala is indicated for Vrana Sodhana (wound cleaning), Pandu Karma (coloring the skin after scars of wounds), Arsha (piles), various skin disorders, Granthi (nodules), Upadamsa (syphilitic pimples), Visarpa (spreading poisonous wounds), and as a hair remover in different Yogas and in Lutadansa Chikitsa. It is also used for worms, eye diseases, skin diseases, and several pediatric disorders in the form of oil, powder, and Dhumapana.