safety of ayurvedic medicines

report on ayurvedic medicines which contained heavy metals , by LIGHT ON AYURVED EDUCATION FOUNDATION ( google chrome)

The samples obtained were inexpensive products available in Indian grocery stores and illegally imported. The study did not examine the high quality products produced by domestic Ayurvedic herbal companies.

The investigation did not distinguish between Ayurvedic herbal supplements and bhasmas. The ìsupplementsî with the reported highest heavy metal content fall into the category of bhasma and there is a vast difference between herbal supplements and bhasmas. There is a special branch of Ayurvedic medicine that concerns itself with the creation of medications called Rasa. Rasas are derived primarily from the ashes (bhasmas) of heavy metals, gemstones, and toxic substances. The preparation process is intricate and requires specialized training and education,(4) and the resulting product is quite expensive. The resulting medication would not be available at the low prices offered in the grocery stores.

The products containing these bhasmas were properly identified by their Sanskrit names. However, the Indian population who frequent these markets and purchase these products, may not have understood that the traditional formulation contained heavy metals requiring special care and supervision.(5)

The researchers assumed that the heavy metals they found were toxic, but did not test them for toxicity. They also did not cite any of the research studies or books showing the safety and salutary effects of these bhasmas.(6)

LOAJ feels that the authorsí conclusion that laws should be created to prevent the importation of these dangerous products is inappropriate as there is already DSHEAlegislation prohibiting the importation of heavy metals.(7) Further regulation would only penalize legitimate manufacturers and raise costs for consumers.

kapha prakriti case

Kapha Clients: A Case Study by Linda Reynolds, Ph.D., D.Ay. Kapha – water/earth, the energy of structure and lubrication. Water is chemical energy (the universal solvent) and associated with taste. Water in the body is plasma, cytoplasm, serum, saliva, nasal secretion, cerebral spinal fluid, urine and sweat. It is responsible for the emotions of love and compassion, for thirst, edema, and obesity. Earth is mechanical or physical energy. In the body it is the cartilage, nails, teeth, hair, skin, solidified consciousness. It promotes anabolism (the process of building up the body), cell repair and growth. Attributes of high Kapha are: lymphatic congestion, lung congestion, mucus secretions, colds, allergic manifestations, sneezing, attachment, possessiveness, and greed. • Kapha people are blessed with a strong, healthy, well- developed body • Strong muscles and large heavy bones • Kaphas tend to gain weight and have difficulty taking it off, To complicate matters, kaphas generally have a slow digestion and metabolism • A kapha person may even do a water fast and gain weight • They can comfortably skip a meal or work without food • Slow metabolic rate Kaphas who maintain health and balance generally enjoy a long span of life, longer than the other two-doshic types, who tend to “burn out” more quickly. However, if kapha dosha is allowed to become aggravated, the person is likely to become obese, which is one of the main causes of diabetes, hypertension, and heart attack. Kaphas have quite a sweet tooth and love candy, cookies, and chocolate. They are generally attracted to sweet, salty, and oily foods, but these contribute to water retention and weight gain. Their bodies need lighter fare and do better with the bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes. • Daytime sleep increases kapha and is not good for them • Kaphas shun exercise. Vigorous exercise is good for them, but they prefer to sit. • They have excellent long term memories • Although a kapha individual is forgiving if you insult them or hurt their feelings, they will forgive you, but they will never forget. • They hold on to money, and are good at saving Kapha dosha is aggravated by kapha- producing food, such as watermelon, sweet fruits, candy cookies, yogurt, and other dairy products. Cold and frozen food, chilled water, sitting and doing nothing all increases kapha. Sedentary work, especially when combined with steady munching at the desk, produces too much kapha in the body.