Is Ayurvedic Medicine Safe?

[Guest guest]

Is Ayurvedic Medicine Safe?

The ancient practice of Ayurvedic medicine has clearly helped millions of

people create healthier lives. However, like any other medical system,

Ayurvedic therapies have contraindications and the potential for adverse

effects or side effects. This is of particular concern when therapies are used

incorrectly, are abused or administered improperly, or are prescribed by

unqualified practitioners.

Thus, consumers must take responsibility when seeking Ayurvedic therapies.

It is imperative to check all practitioners’ credentials, training, and

experience.

Consumers must also communicate, both with their

conventional and Ayurvedic practitioners. Patients must practice full

disclosure about the therapies they are using, and the effects they are

experiencing, to avoid potentially dangerous herbal or other therapeutic

interactions.

Because many Ayurvedic therapies involve herbal elements, it is important to

note that the United States Food and Drug Administration does

not regulate herbs or dietary supplements. The International Society

for Ayurveda and Health (ISAH), a professional society of Ayurveda in the United States,

recommends Ayurvedic therapeutic herbal use only when prescribed and properly

supervised by a trained practitioner.

Some frequently asked questions about Ayurveda’s safety include:

Is there good scientific research around Ayurvedic medicine?

Many Ayurvedic adherents argue that the system’s incredible longevity offers

a powerful argument for its success and safety. However, most of the

information regarding Ayurveda’s efficacy has been passed from teacher to

student. In addition to this “oral history,” the ancient books Charak Samhita

and Sushruta Samhita contain observational documentations about the system’s

effectiveness.

Although there is not a large body of clinical research on Ayurveda, many

of the system’s principles and practices are now recognized and used in

conventional medical settings. For example, the Ayurvedic tenant of

the psychological and physical impact humans experience during the changing of

seasons is borne out in research on SAD (seasonal affective disorder).

There is also medical and layperson acknowledgement of the health benefits

of Ayurvedic practices, such as yoga, massage, and meditation. Herbs

used in Ayurvedic medicine, such as tumeric, ginger, and neem, are now

recognized as beneficial for heart health and as antioxidant-boosters.

See the References and Further Reading section below for examples of research

studies that are beginning to emerge on the use of specific Ayurvedic

herbs.

Western knowledge of Ayurveda is still in its infancy, thus skepticism

exists. As the use of Ayurvedic medicine grows, and as more practitioners

share their knowledge with other healthcare providers, this wariness of

Ayurveda may transform into appreciation and knowledge of the

system.

What are potential obstacles to conducting “traditional” scientific

research within the Ayurvedic system?

Like all science, Ayurvedic medicine is based upon careful observations.

However, a main tenant of Ayurveda is its focus on individual treatment. Each

regimen is highly customized according to each patient’s needs. Ayurveda

teaches that as there are no two persons alike, individuals may be treated with

a different formulation, regimen or diet for the same disease. Thus,

experiments measuring the outcome or effects of a single treatment on large

numbers of people are impossible within the Ayurvedic system.

In short, the double-blind placebo control method of experimentation defies

Ayurvedic principles and may not bring accurate results.

Is Ayurveda recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO)?

The WHO recognizes Ayurveda as a traditional system of medicine. In fact,

the Organization adapted its formal definition of health from Ayurvedic

teachings.

source: takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/therapies/ayurveda/safe

Best Regards Mohammad BashaarFrom: Anand Chaudhary <ayurasabhaishja@...>Subject: Safety and Efficacy of Ayurvedic Formulationsnetrum Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 2:22 PM

Hello All Members

First I would like to thanks Dr Vijay Thawani for all needful he is doing on Netrum in general and on this issue in particular.

Why Ayurvedic Medicines are under scanner today?

Whom contribution is it?

What is needed to proceed in either direction?

How a policy may be framed which make person accountable for the cases of Ayurvedic formulations in larger interest of ailing humanity?

Whether Drugs & Cosmetics Acts 1940 and Rules 1945 is effective to achieve goals pertaining to global acceptance of Ayurvedic Formulation as drug not as food supplement.

Whether recently (2004) notified EU Directives and MLX s are enough sufficient and with justification to nature of Ayurvedic System of Medicine to regulate these medicines in European Union.

How much NICCAM a subsidiary of NIH USA is fair enough in regulations of these medicines?

WHO as leader of Health policy how much contributing for the re establishment of TM /CAM in broader sense and for Ayurveda in specific way.

And in the end I would like to invite every one to think deeply that how much and in what way contemporary science may be involved for validation of safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic Medicines.

Please provide input of your vision so that we may share and potentiate our views in this regard.-- Anand ChaudharyAssociate ProfessorDeptt of Rasa Shastra(Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics)

Faculty of AyuvedaInstitute of Medical Sciences Banaras Hindu UniversityVARANASI 221005Cell 945207448098898638660542-2366900( R)

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Good exposition. But I beg to differ with the specific content: "However, a main tenant of Ayurveda is its focus on individual treatment. Each regimen is highly customized according to each patient's needs. Ayurveda teaches that as there are no two persons alike, individuals may be treated with a different formulation, regimen or diet for the same disease. Thus, experiments measuring the outcome or effects of a single treatment on large numbers of people are impossible within the Ayurvedic system. In short, the double-blind placebo control method of experimentation defies Ayurvedic principles and may not bring accurate results".

My contention to this is that modern world needs evidence of efficacy, which can only come through the clinical trials. If no clinicals are performed then how does the evidence flow in? We are aware that Ayurvedic treatment is based on "Prakriti" of the individual. If that is considered prior to therapy, then it should be effective. Hence if all patients of a given prakriti are included in the sample, and then randomisation is attempted for double blind, it can work. But clinical data is must for proving the efficacy.

Further, if it is individualised therapy with Ayurvedic formulations then how come these are openly sold OTC without prescriptions and heavily advertised in mass media, which leads to self use? The contention should be same for the pathy. These can not change with economic gains and laborious inputs for clinical trials.

Vijay Thawani

> From: Anand Chaudhary ayurasabhaishja@...> Subject: Safety and Efficacy of Ayurvedic Formulations> netrum > Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009, 2:22 PM> > > > > > > > > > > > Hello All Members> > First I would like to thanks Dr Vijay Thawani for all needful he is doing on Netrum in general and on this issue in particular.> > Why Ayurvedic Medicines are under scanner today?> Whom contribution is it?> What is needed to proceed in either direction?> How a policy may be framed which make person accountable for the cases of Ayurvedic formulations in larger interest of ailing humanity?> Whether Drugs & Cosmetics Acts 1940 and Rules 1945 is effective to achieve goals pertaining to global acceptance of Ayurvedic Formulation as drug not as food supplement.> Whether recently (2004) notified EU Directives and MLX s are enough sufficient and with justification to nature of Ayurvedic System of Medicine to regulate these medicines in European Union. > > How much NICCAM a subsidiary of NIH USA is fair enough in regulations of these medicines? > > WHO as leader of Health policy how much contributing for the re establishment of TM /CAM in broader sense and for Ayurveda in specific way.> > And in the end I would like to invite every one to think deeply that how much and in what way contemporary science may be involved for validation of safety and efficacy of Ayurvedic Medicines.> > Please provide input of your vision so that we may share and potentiate our views in this regard.> > -- > Anand Chaudhary> Associate Professor> Deptt of Rasa Shastra> (Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics)> > Faculty of Ayuveda> Institute of Medical Sciences > Banaras Hindu University> VARANASI 221005> Cell 9452074480> 9889863866> 0542-2366900( R)>