An article published in 2004 by Saper and other researchers stated that about 20% of Ayurvedic medicines which were tested by them showed abnormally high content of heavy metals, which include mainly mercury, arsenic, lead and chromium. Subsequently, several articles have been published concerning information related to heavy metals present in water, air, and products obtained from the soil. Large number of industrial products, commercial packaging, nutritional supplements, food supplements, cosmetics and some Ayurvedic and modern medicines are stated to contain heavy metals.
It cannot be disputed that if a large amount of heavy metals are ingested in a very short span of time, heavy metal toxicity is highly likely to occur and harm the individual considerably. As far as Allopathic (modern) medicines are concerned, all these medicines are usually single (chemical) molecules and therefore it is very easy to maintain quality control of such medicines. The issue with Ayurvedic medicines is much more complicated, since even a single herb contains a large number of molecules, possibly in hundreds. This scenario makes it very difficult to choose some common, standard parameters for quality control. However, this very situation is also responsible for bringing about the well-known safety of herbal medicines, since some molecules from the medicine bring about the therapeutic effects; other molecules contribute a synergistic effect, while the remaining molecules in the medicine prevent serious adverse effects.
Herbo-mineral medicines are known to contain mercury, sulphur and metals in oxidized, ash form. However, the medicines are the end-result of an elaborate system of purification and processing which renders these medicines harmless and biologically acceptable to the body. In addition, even single herbs, as mentioned above, possess multiple molecules which bring about a positive therapeutic effect and prevent side-effects. And this is precisely the reason why patients who take Ayurvedic medicines under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic physician do not exhibit any serious side-effects even after prolonged use of the medicines for several years. This has been proved and documented with respect to the functioning of the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys of patients on long-term Ayurvedic therapy. Serious side-effects are usually observed when patients resort to self-medication, use spurious drugs without medical advice and supervision, or take treatment from quacks. It can therefore be concluded that while heavy metals may be harmful to the human body, the proper use of Ayurvedic medicines has not demonstrated any toxic effects of heavy metals.
The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com
