Karpura Rasa – Medicinal Properties, Ingredients, Indications, Dosage & More

Reference : Reference– Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Atisaaradhikara, Verse 125-126.
A.F.I.- Part 1 – 20:7

Abstract

Targeting diarrhoeal disease at multiple levels—from infected lumen to febrile systemic response-this classical herbo-mineral formulation Karpura rasa unites Shuddha Hingula (purified Cinnabar), Ahiphena (Papaver somniferum), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Indrayava (Holarrhena antidysenterica), Jatiphala (Myristica fragrans) and Karpurra (Cinnamomum camphora) into a single synergistic therapy. Quick stool-binding and flow-checking action, paired with strong anti-amoebic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory support, means this formulation does far more than just “stop motions” for a while. It gently calms an overstimulated gut, tackles the infection smouldering behind repeated loose stools and helps the intestines find their normal rhythm again, so the person feels lighter, safer and more in control of everyday life.

Introduction

Karpura Rasa is a classical herbo-mineral formulation, meaning a carefully balanced preparation made from processed minerals and medicinal herbs as a single therapeutic compound. The name “Karpura Rasa – literally means “camphor-based essence,” highlighting a formulation in which camphor is one of the key active principles. It is indicated in acute and chronic diarrhoea, diarrhoea with fever and bloody loose stools, helping to arrest excessive bowel movements, calm abdominal cramps and correct impaired digestive fire while supporting deeper restoration of intestinal balance.

Classical Indication

Atisaar (Diarrhea)

Ingredients

1. Shuddha Hingula – Purified and processed Cinnabar.
2. Ahiphena – Papaver somniferum
3. Musta – Cyperus rotundus
4. Indrayava – Holarrhena antidysenterica
5. Jatiphala – Myristica fragrans
6. Karpura – Cinnamomum camphora

Description Of Ingredients

1. Shuddha Hingula (Purified Cinnabar)

Shuddha Hingula (Purified Cinnabar), is described with tikta (bitter) and kashaya (astringent) rasa, laghu (light), snigdha (unctuous) and sara (mobile) guna, ushna virya (hot potency) and katu vipaka (pungent post-digestive effect). In Karpura Ras this acts as a yogavahi (catalytic carrier), enhancing penetration of the other drugs, stimulating agni and helping to burn ama (endotoxins), which supports control of fever and systemic toxicity in diarrhoeal conditions.

2. Ahiphena (Papaver somniferum)

Ahiphena (opium)- latex of Papaver somniferum, has tikta (bitter) and kashaya (astringent) rasa with slight madhura (sweet) note, ruksha (dry), laghu (light), sukshma (subtle) and vyavayi (rapidly spreading) guna, ushna virya (hot potency) and katu vipaka (pungent post-digestive effect). Its alkaloids such as morphine and codeine reduce intestinal motility, give strong stambhana (checking of excessive flow) and relieve shoola (colicky pain), so stool frequency and cramps fall quickly in acute and chronic diarrhoea.

3. Musta (Cyperus rotundus)

Musta (Cyperus rotundus), shows tikta (bitter), katu (pungent) and kashaya (astringent) rasa, laghu (light) and ruksha (dry) guna, predominantly sheeta (anushna-sheeta – mildly cooling) and katu vipaka (pungent post-digestive effect). Its essential oils like cyperene with flavonoids are antispasmodic, antipyretic and antimicrobial, thus improving digestive fire, drying intestinal kleda (excess fluid) and helping to bind stools while lowering associated jvara (fever).

4. Indrayava (Holarrhena antidysenterica)

Indrayava- seeds of Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica), has tikta (bitter) and kashaya (astringent) rasa, laghu (light) and ruksha (dry) guna, sheeta virya (cold potency) and katu vipaka (pungent post-digestive effect). The alkaloids such as conessine give powerful anti-amoebic, antibacterial and antidiarrhoeal action, directly attacking dysentery organisms, reducing mucosal inflammation and effectively stopping mucus and blood loss in rakta pravahika (bloody diarrhoea).

5. Jatiphala (Myristica fragrans)

Jatiphala (Myristica fragrans), carries tikta (bitter), katu (pungent), kashaya (astringent) with slight madhura rasa (sweet taste), laghu (light), snigdha (unctuous) and tikshna (sharp) guna, ushna virya (hot potency) and katu vipaka (pungent post-digestive effect). Nutmeg has volatile oils such as myristicin, elemicin and eugenol act as antispasmodic, carminative, antimicrobial and mild sedatives, reducing intestinal spasm and gas and reinforcing grahi (stool-binding) effect, especially in chronic low-grade diarrhoea.

6. Karpura (Cinnamomum camphora)

Karpura Cinnamomum camphora, exhibits katu (pungent) and tikta (bitter) rasa, laghu (light), ruksha (dry) and tikshna (sharp) guna, systemically sheeta virya (cold potency) and katu vipaka (pungent post-digestive effect). Natural camphor and related terpenoids provide antimicrobial, antispasmodic, mildly analgesic and carminative actions, quickly calming excessive peristalsis, reducing gut spasms and inhibiting pathogens so that, in combination with the other ingredients, Karpura Ras efficiently manages acute and chronic diarrhoea, diarrhoea with fever and bloody loose stools.

Method Of Preparation

• All six ingredients of Karpura Rasa are taken in equal parts in their purified form (Shuddha Hingula – purified Cinnabar, Ahiphena – Papaver somniferum, Mukta, Indrayava – Holarrhena antidysenterica, Jatiphala – Myristica fragrans and Karpura – Cinnamomum camphora).
• Each drug is powdered very finely, then all powders are mixed thoroughly to achieve a uniform blend.
• A sufficient quantity of clean water is added gradually to this mixture and soft dough-like paste is made.
• From this paste, small tablets (around 125–250 mg each) are rolled or shaped.
• The tablets are dried completely in shade and then stored in an airtight glass container to protect their volatile and delicate components.

Medicinal Properties

Jvara-Atisara (Diarrhoea With Fever)

Karpura Rasa as a short-term antidiarrhoeal to quickly reduce the frequency of stools and colicky pain. The combination of Karpura Rasa with Guduchi-based medicines such as Guduchi Ghana Vati or Amritarishta to lower fever, support immunity and prevent recurrence. Honey or lukewarm water works well as anupana (adjuvant).

Pakva-Atisara And Malabsorption / Chronic Loose Stools

Karpura Rasa with Kutaja preparations such as Kutajghan Vati or Kutajarishta, with anupana of takra (buttermilk) or thin rice-gruel after meals, according to the degree of weakness and digestive fire.

Rakta Pravahika And Dysentery Associated With Blood

Karpura Rasa with Praval-, Mukta- or Kamdudha-based Pitta-pacifying medicines, with anupana of cold water, goat’s milk or isabgol husk slurry after food, selected as per intensity of burning and bleeding.

Acute Diarrhoea, Gastro-Enteritis And Infective Gastrointestinal Conditions

Karpura Rasa with Kutajavaleha, Musta Churna or Bilvadi Churna, with anupana of jeera-water, musta-kashaya or light rice-gruel, used during the acute phase until stool frequency, cramps and nausea settle.

Impact On Dosha

Karpura Rasa primarily balances Vata and Kapha while needing some caution in strong Pitta prakriti or Pitta-dominant states. Karpura Rasa pacifies Vata by its warm, channel-clearing, antispasmodic action and pain-relieving effect, which calms excessive peristalsis and colic in diarrhoea. At the same time it reduces Kapha by drying excess mucus and kleda in the gut and improving digestive fire, so Kapha-related heaviness, mucus-laden stools and ama formation decrease.

Karpura Rasa has a mixed impact on Pitta. The cooling effect of camphor and the stool-binding nature of absorbent drugs can ease bleeding, burning and fever, so mild to moderate Pitta aggravation in diarrhoea usually settles. However, the whole formulation is relatively heated and strongly binding, so people with very high Pitta, very hot constituents, or those already suffering from active gastritis, intense burning or heavy bleeding should take it only in lower doses, for a short period, and strictly under medical supervision.

Indications

1. Diarrhoea – acute and chronic
2. Diarrhoea associated with fever
3. Bloody diarrhoea / Dysentery
4. Malabsorption and irritable bowel-type conditions
5. Gastro-enteritis and other inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions
6. General gastrointestinal complaints with cramps, mucus and weakness

Dosage And Adjuvants

For Karpura Rasa, adult doses are usually very small and always need medical supervision.

Dose (adult): 125 mg tablet once or twice daily, before or after food, as directed by an Ayurvedic physician.

Common Anupana (Adjuvant)

• Honey or honey with a little ghee (not in equal quantity) in Vata-Kapha-dominant diarrhoea.
• Musta (Cyperus rotundus) decoction, cumin water or thin rice-gruel in diarrhoea, dysentery and gastro-enteritis to support digestion and absorbency.

Contraindications And Precautions

Karpura Rasa needs careful, short-term, supervised use because it is a potent herbo-mineral and opium-containing formulation.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy and lactation.
• Infants and children (unless strictly supervised by an Ayurvedic physician).
• Known allergy or intolerance to camphor, opium, mercury compounds or other ingredients.
• Severe liver or kidney disease, uncontrolled hypertension, serious heart or neurological disorders.
• Marked Pitta aggravation with strong burning, active gastritis or peptic ulcer unless adjusted and closely monitored.

Precautions

• Always use the minimum effective dose, for a limited duration, under professional guidance.
• Avoid self-medication, especially using higher or more frequent doses, due to risk of opium- and metal-related toxicity.
• Monitor for warning signs such as burning in stomach or throat, nausea, dizziness, confusion, unusual bleeding, rash or breathing difficulty; stop and seek urgent care if these occur.
• Use cautiously with other strong modern medicines (especially sedatives, pain-killers, anticoagulants and hepatotoxic drugs); keep at least a 30 minute gap and coordinate with both treating doctors.
• Store securely away from children and vulnerable individuals; never exceed the prescribed course or share leftover tablets with others.

Conclusion

Karpura Rasa is a focused, short-term medication for acute and chronic diarrhoeal disorders, especially when loose stools are accompanied by fever, colic or blood. By combining stool-binding, antispasmodic, antimicrobial and digestive-correcting actions, it simultaneously offers quick symptomatic relief and supports restoration of gut balance when used judiciously under professional supervision.