Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Krimi Kuthar Rasa

Krimi Kuthar Rasa is a rasa preparation, a herbo-mineral formulation of the rasa shastra tradition. Classical Rasashastra formulation from Bhaishajya Ratnavali; Schedule E-1 restricted medicine requiring prescription; manufactured under strict AYUSH licensing; regulatory scrutiny due to mercury and aconite content.

Key facts
Substance typeHerbo-mineral (rasa shastra) preparation, not a single plant
Also known asKrimi Kuthar Rasa, KrimiKutharRasa
Pharmacopoeia statusClassical Rasashastra formulation from Bhaishajya Ratnavali; Schedule E-1 restricted medicine requiring prescription; manufactured under strict AYUSH licensing; regulatory scrutiny due to mercury and aconite content

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishKrimi Kuthar Rasa

Where is it described in the classical texts?

Bhaishajya Ratnavali, Krimi Rogadhikara (Parasitic Diseases Chapter); also referenced in Rasendra Sara Sangraha and Bhava Prakasha

How does it work?

  • Parada (mercury) in Kajjali form (HgS) creates a hostile environment for intestinal parasites through its sharp, penetrating, and toxic properties at micro-doses
  • Vidanga (Embelia ribes) contains embelin, a potent anthelmintic compound that paralyzes and expels intestinal worms
  • Palash Beej (Butea monosperma seeds) contain butin and palasonin with established anthelmintic activity against tapeworms
  • Indrayava (Holarrhena antidysenterica) has anti-amoebic and anti-dysenteric properties through conessine alkaloid content
  • Shuddha Vatsanabha (purified aconite) in micro-doses provides Ushna Virya (hot potency) and Vishagna (anti-toxic) action against parasitic toxins
  • Loha Bhasma supports blood building to correct anemia caused by parasitic infection and intestinal blood loss
  • Karpura (camphor) has antiseptic and carminative properties aiding in intestinal environment restoration

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Intestinal parasites (Krimi Roga) including roundworms, tapeworms, and pinworms - traditional primary indication; supported by anthelmintic activity of Vidanga (embelin) and Palash seeds (palasonin)
  • Digestive disorders associated with parasitic infection - traditional use supported by the carminative, digestive, and anti-amoebic properties of Indrayava, Ajamoda, and Karpura

What do recent clinical trials show?

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Contains Purified Mercury (Parada) and Purified Aconitum (Vatsanabha) - two highly toxic substances requiring extreme caution and strict medical supervision
  • Mercury content poses risks of mercury bioaccumulation, neurological damage, and renal toxicity with improper dosing or prolonged use
  • Vatsanabha (aconite) is one of the most toxic plants known; even after purification, cardiac toxicity risk exists at supra-therapeutic doses
  • FDA and WHO have flagged mercury-containing Ayurvedic preparations; product quality varies widely between manufacturers
  • Must be taken in precise dose (125-250 mg) for limited period only as prescribed; over-dosage can cause severe poisoning
  • Iron overload is a minor concern relative to mercury and aconite toxicity; however, Loha Bhasma contribution still requires monitoring in patients with iron storage disorders

What is it made of?

Mineral/Elemental Profile

  • Primary component: Mercury-based preparation (Parada) with herbal processing
  • Note: Restricted use — requires strict Shodhana protocols and expert supervision

Analytical Methods: AAS/ICP-MS (heavy metals), XRD, Namburi phased spot test

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Vati

Standard Dosage: 125–250 mg twice daily

Bioavailability: Good; multi-metal Rasaushadhi with antiparasitic action

Optimal Timing: Before meals with buttermilk or Vidanga Kwatha

Standardized Extract: Kajjali + Loha + Tamra bhasmas with antiparasitic herbs

Shelf Life: Indefinite

Storage: Airtight container

Marker Compounds: Mercury sulfide, Iron oxide, Copper oxide, Vidanga saponins

Quality Parameters: Free metals below safety limits, standard Rasaushadhi tests

Vehicle (Anupana): Buttermilk, Vidanga Kwatha, or Palash seed powder

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A and others. 2008. Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the InternetJAMA. PMID 18728265 · doi:10.1001/jama.300.8.915

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.