Absorbability of arsenic and lead in traditional Ayurvedic medicines
Researchers at the Royal Military College of Canada, tested 42 medicines.
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Lead poisoning associated with Ayurvedic drug treatment in India
Using herbal/Ayurvedic medicine may lead to plumbism as heavy metals are often incorporated in such medications with the belief that the metals have medicinal properties. Researchers at Maulana Azad Medical College, in Delhi, India, report the experience of 1 patient.
Detection of toxic heavy metals in herbal plants
Researchers at the National Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Research, in Punjab, India, report on a few local samples of certain herbs.
NCCAM reviews reiki and ayurvedic
 The National Center for Contemporary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has updated their introductory reviews. Here’s what’s important.
Mercury, arsenic, and lead levels in herbals
Researchers from the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, in The Netherlands measured levels in Asian traditional herbal preparations that are available on the Dutch market.
Herbals and lead levels in Americans
The relationship between supplements and lead levels in blood has been an ongoing project for researchers in Boston. In this study, researchers from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center report specific herbal supplements are associated with higher blood lead levels among women.
Making ayurveda an international medical system
Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar is the former Director General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research in India. During the Second World Ayurveda Congress he shared his thoughts about bhasmas — the Ayurvedic “supplements” with the highest reported heavy metal (lead, tin, iron, arsenic) content.
Ayurvedic and the risk of heavy metal poisoning
What’s been published recently suggests there’s likely to be a problem. Have we reached a tipping point?
Toxins in Ayurvedic meds on the web
Researchers from Boston and Bangalore, India ask, what’s the risk of getting lead, mercury, and arsenic in the Ayurvedic medicines purchased on the Internet?
Arsenic toxicity from Ayurvedic
Lead, mercury, and (oh yeah) arsenic intoxication have been associated with Ayurvedic herbal medicines. Here’s an account of one patent’s experience.
Going to court over the lead content in Ayurvedic meds
A woman from Iowa has filed a lawsuit claiming she contracted lead poisoning from a Maharishi herbal product. She apparently got it from a physician at a clinic in India. A reader treated by the same doctor at the same clinic had a different experience and shares it in his comment.
Toxic metals and pesticides in the ayurvedic formulation, Dashmoola
Dashmoola is a popular herbal formulation in ayurvedic medicine. It’s used to reduce fever and modify the immune response. In this study, scientists from the National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow, India tested the roots and stems from 10 herbs used to prepare Dashmoola.
Ayurvedic lead poisoning results in greater toxicity than lead paint intoxication
Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston believe, “the United States Food and Drug Administration and corresponding agencies in other countries should require heavy metal testing for all imported dietary supplements.” The recommendation is based on what they found among people taking Ayurvedic medicines.
Councilman requests city funding for Ayurvedic therapies
Today, more than 400 firefighters and other 9/11 responders are taking 4 pills composed of up to 20 herbs twice a day. They claim to feel healthier than they did after undergoing Western remedies for their ailments. Now, Councilman Michael McMahon is requesting funding of more than $200,000 from New York City to help pay … Continue reading Councilman requests city funding for Ayurvedic therapies
High risk of heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicines
A recent post here summarized the risks associated with lead blood levels. It’s more toxic than was previously believed. And if you take Ayurvedic medicine, it’s important to be aware of the risks you are exposed to. How high is the risk?
Lead: More toxic than we thought
In addition to Ayurvedic medicines, certain traditional or folk medications used in East Indian, Middle Eastern, West Asian, and Hispanic cultures contain lead. The “logic” supporting the addition of lead to medicine was summarized in an earlier post. Now it’s reported that lead is more toxic than we thought. People with lead blood levels well … Continue reading Lead: More toxic than we thought
The rationale for adding lead to medicine
Everybody in the west knows that lead is toxic, right? We spend lots of money removing lead paint from the walls of old houses. So, what is the logic that justifies adding lead to ayurvedic medicines? Dr. Annapoorna Chirra from the Department of Medicine at UCLA has the answer.
Lead poisoning and ayurvedic medicines
The New York Times Magazine published a travelogue by a San Francisco woman who spent time In India as an “ayurveda tourist.” The goal of the trip was to “immerse [herself] in ayurveda, the 3,500-year-old herb-based healing tradition that still flourishes in the daily life of India.” As might be expected of a San Franciscan … Continue reading Lead poisoning and ayurvedic medicines
Ayurveda: Struggling within itself
It’s easy to be critical of ayurveda ? a “natural healing system” developed in India. The immediate problems, from a Western perspective, include lack of standardization and reported toxicity (particularly lead poisoning). But there’s more. “The problem lies in the crisis of confidence both within and outside the ayurvedic community, and it is here that … Continue reading Ayurveda: Struggling within itself