English Name
Copper SulphateDefinition
Tuth is copper sulphate (Cu SO4, 5H2O), also known as blue vitriol, copper vitriol, blue stone or chalcanthite mineral.Synonyms
Samskrta : TutthakaRegional Name
Bangali - Tunte, Tuntiyā, English - Copper Sulphate, Blue vitriol, Gujarati - Morathuthu, Hindi - Nīlā Thothā, Tūtiā, Kannada - Mayuruthutha, Malayalam - Mayilthuththam, Marathi - Moracūda, Tamil - Mayil thuththam, Turken (S.F.I.), Telugu - Mailu tuttham, Melatutu, Urdu - Tutia, Kabood (N.F.U.M.)Broad Classification
Hydrous cupric sulphateOrigin and occurrence:
Tuth occurs with other hydrated sulphates of copper, and iron in the oxidized form near surface zones of copper sulphide ore deposits. It is found generally deposited with mine purified waters, often on the walls of abandoned mine workings. Also, it is found in the zones of weathering of Copper lodes. In India, natural occurrence of Tuth, in abundance, is uncommon. A little amount of Tuth can be seen near copper mines in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Mostly, commercially manufactured Tuth as a chemical is used for Ayurvedic formulations in the country.Physical Properties
Nature : Crystalline lumps, Colour : Berlin or sky blue, Streak : Colourless, Cleavage : Poor, Fracture : Conchoidal, Lustre : Vitreous, Tenacity : Brittle, Transparency : Translucent, Hardness : 2 to 2.5, Sp. Gr. : 2.12 to 2.30Optical Properties
Biaxial, Negative, with ηα, 1.447, ηβ, 1.469 and ηγ, 1.472 (Appendix-2) ical Properties: Effect of Heat:- On heating, partially evaporates giving brownish mass.
- Heating with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) gives black fused mass.
- Heat on charcoal with sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and carbon, it yields metallic copper as observed by its copper red colour.
- Heat in closed tube, Tuth gives off water, observed as droplets on the upper internal wall of the tube (Appendix-3.4.5).
- Tuth should contain not less than 20% Copper (Appendix- 3.1.9 & 3.2.2).
- Tuth should contain not less than 15% Sulphur and not less than 50% SO4 (Appendix-3.1 & 3.3).
Properties and Actions:
Rasa - Katu, Kasāya, Madhura, Guna - Laghu, Sara, Vīrya - Usna, Śīta, Vipāka - Katu, Karma - Kaphapittahara, Lekhana, Bhedana, Balya, Tridosaghna, Rasāyana, Rucikara, Vāmaka, Varnya, Garavisahara, Śūlaghna, Caksusya, Aśmarīhara, Kandughna, Ksārakarmakara, Arśoghna, K¨mighnaTherapeutic Uses:
Krmi (helminthiasis/worm infestation); Prameha (increased frequency and turbidity of urine); Medoroga (obesity); Śūla (pain/colic); Kustha (diseases of the skin); Śvāsa (Asthma); Amlapitta (hyperacidity); Tvak roga (skin disease); Śvitra (Leucoderma /Vitiligo); Arśa (piles); Vrana (ulcer/wound); Nadi Vrana (sinus); Netra roga (diseases of eyes); Dusta vrana (non-healing ulcer)Dose:
15 - 30 mgImportant Formulations:
Jātyādi taila, Nityānanda rasa, Jātyādi ghrta, Mahā visagarbha taila, Kāsīsādi ghrtaFormulations