The herbal formulation Kamini has been in the with a Brisbane drug and alcohol treatment program 12 men accessing the service because they could not stop taking Kamini. A of 12 patients in Melbourne sought help for opioid dependency from taking the herbal medicine, which is usually illegally imported from India.
Author
Julaine Allan
Associate Professor, Mental Health and Addiction, Rural Health Research Institute, Charles Sturt University
causes drug dependence in people using it regularly, because it contains opium, among other plant and mineral ingredients. is a plant product refined to make prescription medications, including morphine and codeine, and illegal drugs such as heroin.
Known as Kamini, Kamini balls and Indian Viagra, Ayurvedic medicine practitioners prescribe it for men’s sexual problems including impotence, premature ejaculation and erection difficulties.
is a traditional Indian health system that takes a holistic approach to illness. Herbal, mineral and animal products, as well as diet, exercise and lifestyle changes, are prescribed to improve wellbeing.
It is likely many people taking Kamini are unaware it contains opium and don’t know the risks of regular use.
Varying amounts of morphine
Kamini is sold in that are swallowed. A similar product, Barshasha, comes as a paste.
During digestion, the opium breaks down into “natural opiates” morphine, codeine and (a “paramorphine”). Chemical testing of Kamini has found the amount of morphine in a single tablet varies from .
Opium and other similar drugs can lead to because they stimulate the reward centres in the brain, causing intense feelings of pleasure and relaxation. These strong effects weaken over time as a person builds up tolerance to the drug. So, more of the drug is required to get the same feelings.
When a person has built up a tolerance and stops taking the drug, they experience . These can be physical, such as sweating, vomiting and muscle cramps, as well as psychological, such as anxiety and cravings for the drug.
People using Kamini have tolerance and withdrawal symptoms when they tried to stop. Typically starting on one tablet per day, within weeks use rapidly increased to 25-30 tablets per day or one bottle . At a cost of , daily use becomes a financial burden.
One bottle of Kamini can contain up to . This is a significant amount of a powerful drug. In comparison, people with severe cancer pain may be prescribed up to 2,000mg of morphine per day, but most average .
Unlikely to help anyone stay awake
As well as for sexual problems, people have taken Kamini to try and stay awake at work. An SBS television investigation in 2016 found Southeast Asian men used Kamini to help them get through long shifts. Many worked in the transport industry.
They reported getting Kamini from around Australia, without them being prescribed or monitored by an Ayurvedic medicine practitioner.
The belief Kamini will help you stay awake is probably a misinterpretation of its original reputation for enhancing vitality. But opium products have the opposite effects to stimulants, slowing down the nervous system rather than speeding it up.
describing the composition and reasons for using Kamini note it contains opium, the use of it should be monitored, and the dose limited to half or one tablet per day because of .
An online market worth billions
Using herbal and natural preparations to improve wellbeing, or as remedies for physical and mental problems, is growing in popularity. Online availability facilitates access to a wide range of products.
In 2021, the global market for herbal and Ayurvedic medicines was valued at US$9.5 billion (A$14.8 billion) with an annual growth rate of 10%. India is the , with about 80% of the market share.
Ease of access and being derived from a plant could lead some people to think Ayurvedic medicine products and other . Usually identified as dietary supplements, products like Kamini do not have to provide safety or effectiveness information to drug regulators in other countries.
Following the SBS investigation, Australia’s medicines regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), banned the importation and supply of Kamini. The TGA has not assessed Kamini products for quality, safety or effectiveness. In a released in 2016, the TGA said
these tablets pose a serious risk to your health and should not be taken.
Getting off Kamini
Dependence on Kamini can be successfully treated with medicines such as and supportive counselling.
Drug dependence can cause problems with health, employment, relationships and finances.
If you are experiencing problems with Kamini or any other drug, free, confidential help and support are available from state health departments and helplines or you can call the on 1300 85 85 84 for advice.
Julaine Allan receives funding from The ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Health and Medical Research Council to investigate wellbeing programs. She has also received funding from The Australian Research Council, NSW Health and the Ian Potter Foundation.
