Tamra Bhasma
Tamra Bhasma is a bhasma, a mineral or metal preparation reduced to ash by repeated calcination.
| Substance type | Mineral or metal preparation, not a plant |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Tamra Bhasma, TamraBhasma |
The evidence at a glance
3papers on this site for this drug, published 2013 to 2016, every one with a DOI.
- 3Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people.true See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Tamra Bhasma |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles
- Copper sulfide from Gandhaka processing
- Trace iron and zinc from processing
- Silica and organic residues from herbal media
- Sulfur compounds
How does it work?
- Hepatoprotective action at therapeutic doses through antioxidant enzyme modulation and free radical scavenging, protecting liver cells from oxidative damage
- Antimicrobial activity via copper ion release disrupting microbial cell membrane integrity and enzyme function
- Digestive fire (Agni) enhancement through stimulation of digestive enzyme secretion and improvement of metabolic processes in the GI tract
- Anti-inflammatory effect through copper-mediated modulation of inflammatory cytokines and suppression of oxidative stress pathways
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Digestive disorders (Agnimandya): traditionally used for digestive disorders. Clinical studies have reported improved digestive function, with no adverse effects reported at the doses studied.
- Skin diseases (Kushtha): traditionally used for skin diseases. In vitro studies have reported antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity.
- Liver disorders (Yakrit Vikara): traditionally used for liver disorders. Animal studies have reported a liver-protective action that depended on dose, with liver toxicity reported at high doses.
What do recent studies show?
- Chaudhari SY, Nariya MB, Galib R and others 2016. Acute and subchronic toxicity study of Tamra Bhasma (incinerated copper) prepared with and without Amritikarana. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 27297506 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2015.11.001
Tamra Bhasma with Amritikarana showed improved safety profile. Without Amritikarana, higher doses showed hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic potential. The additional purification step significantly reduces residual toxicity. - Jagtap CY, Ashok BK, Patgiri BJ and others 2013. Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Study of Tamra Bhasma (Incinerated Copper) prepared from Ashodhita (Unpurified) and Shodhita (Purified) Tamra in Rats. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 24082351 · doi:10.4103/0250-474X.117433
CRITICAL: Tamra Bhasma prepared from unpurified copper is toxic even at therapeutic equivalent dose. Properly purified copper Bhasma is safe at up to 5x therapeutic dose. At 10x dose, even purified form causes hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and gastric mucosal damage. - Chaudhari SY, Ruknuddin G, Biswajyoti JP and others 2014. Effect of tamra bhasma (calcined copper) on ponderal and biochemical parameters. Toxicology international. PMID 25253924 · doi:10.4103/0971-6580.139796
At therapeutic doses, Tamra Bhasma showed no significant adverse effects on body weight, organ weight, or biochemical parameters in experimental animals.
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- CRITICAL PREPARATION DEPENDENCY: Unpurified (Ashodhita) copper Bhasma is TOXIC even at therapeutic doses, causing hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and gastric mucosal damage. Only properly purified (Shodhita) preparations should be used.
- AMRITIKARANA ESSENTIAL: The additional Amritikarana process after Marana significantly improves safety profile by removing residual impurities. Products without this step carry higher risk.
- DOSE-DEPENDENT TOXICITY: Safe at 1x and 5x therapeutic doses when properly prepared. At 10x therapeutic dose, even properly prepared Tamra Bhasma causes organ damage. Strict dose adherence essential.
- COPPER TOXICITY RISK: Excess copper can cause Wilson disease-like symptoms (hepatolenticular degeneration). Liver function monitoring recommended during prolonged use.
- HEAVY METAL CONTENT: Properly prepared Tamra Bhasma converts metallic copper to oxide form, reducing free copper ion toxicity. However, batch-to-batch variability in commercial products remains a concern.
What is it made of?
Mineral/Elemental Profile
- Copper oxide (CuO/Cu2O): Major component
- Copper (Cu): >80%
- Iron (Fe): Trace
- Zinc (Zn): Trace
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Bhasma
Standard Dosage: 30–60 mg (strict dosing, copper preparation)
Optimal Timing: With honey or specific anupana; after meals
Storage: Airtight container; avoid moisture
Marker Compounds: Copper oxide (CuO), Copper nanoparticles, Trace sulfur compounds
Vehicle (Anupana): Honey, Triphala Kwatha, or as part of specific formulations
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.
Laboratory and animal studies3
- 2016. Acute and subchronic toxicity study of Tamra Bhasma (incinerated copper) prepared with and without AmritikaranaJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 27297506 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2015.11.001
- 2014. Effect of tamra bhasma (calcined copper) on ponderal and biochemical parametersToxicology international. PMID 25253924 · doi:10.4103/0971-6580.139796
- 2013. Acute and Subchronic Toxicity Study of Tamra Bhasma (Incinerated Copper) prepared from Ashodhita (Unpurified) and Shodhita (Purified) Tamra in RatsIndian journal of pharmaceutical sciences. PMID 24082351 · doi:10.4103/0250-474X.117433
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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.
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