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Ayurvedicure is
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naturally and providing the healing tools in their own hands.
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In the era of Vioxx and Celebrex, Patient safety comes foremost to the Mind!
Heavy metals are toxic, but their Oxides are usually not. F.D.A has approved
Arsenic trioxide to be used in APL (Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia) 1, but the
manufacturing/import of preparations containing Heavy metals is not legalized
by the F.D.A.
Rasa-shastra is the Ayurvedic Science that deals with the processing and
different preparations of mercury and other metals. Rasa, or mercury, is used
for its Yogavahi or vehicular properties in a variety of preparations. Bhasmas
(ashes) including Mercury, Lead and Arsenic, besides other valuable metals like
Gold, Silver, Copper, and Minerals and gems like sulphur, pearl, coral etc are
described in the literature. There are certain Ayurvedic formulations
containing Bhasmas and Heavy metals, e.g. Loha (iron) bhasmam, and Rasa
(mercury) Sindooram, which have the heavy metals highly processed (sometimes
upto 100 times by purifying techniques called Shodhana and Marana) to result in
a non-toxic, easily absorbable active compound, usually oxides or sulphides.
These Ayurvedic metallic medicines pass through extensive processing in
different instruments before they are declared fit for internal use. The
metals, gems and minerals are first purified and then burnt several times and
converted to 'Bhasma' (ash). Each time before burning, the metallic powders are
processed with fresh herb juices to neutralize their toxicity. Some of the
metals are burnt up to one hundred times to make sure the heaviness or toxic
effect of the metal is nullified. Iron in Loha Bhasma, which does not rust, is
functionally similar to Iron in hemoglobin Porphyrine ring.
These preparations containing highly purified so-called potentially toxic
contents are indicated for certain chronic and debilitating conditions, e.g.
Cancers 1, 2 Chronic arthritis (Maha Yograj Guggul) etc.
If the Bhasmas are not prepared in a correct manner, then only they can be
toxic or harmful to humans3. The preparations are then prescribed with certain
Anupanas (accompaniments), e.g. Ginger or Cumin water, Tulsi extract, etc. that
have been shown to protect against unwanted toxicity due to varied reasons4, 5,
including high proportions of trace elements and synergistic or protective
effects due to buffering between various constituents. Regular Panchakarma
(detoxifying procedures) were undertaken periodically as well as Rasayana
(Rejuvenative) therapy6, 7 proving Ayurveda to be a complete and holistic
Science.
This study does not give a true representation of the Ayurvedic preparations
available in USA. It has considered only those preparations available in the
local markets/grocery stores from commercial companies. I have stressed before
to all my patients before they buy any herbal preparation to make sure it is
coming from a reputed source. The proper diagnosis, a definite duration of
treatment and strict diet/lifestyle control has to be reemphasized to the
patients. Comparing Ayurveda to a self-prescribing OTC status is insulting the
Intelligence of this more than 5000 years old ancient science and the seers.
The toxicity in this report is all assumed on the basis of daily intake limits
and is without actual reports / data. Some toxicity report to Ayurvedic
preparation consumers around Boston would have been more relevant. The
bioavailability and toxicity of the metals depend on their chemical forms,
especially of mercury, which this study was not able to ascertain8, 9. Further
In-vivo/ in-vitro studies are recommended for ascertaining the safety and
efficacy of those preparations, and testing for Heavy metals in the urine/
hair, and evidence of toxicity.
An example of non-toxicity of Ayurvedically processed (as suggested in
Shastras) so-called toxic herbs is given below:
Crude Aconite at 2.5 mg/mouse produces 100% mortality. Ayurvedically Processed
aconite was totally safe at 20 mgs3.
Finally, we do need better monitoring and dependable investigations. ISO 9001
certification and GMP (good manufacturing practices) should be followed. A
responsible agency in India should monitor medicines used and exported. Proper
labeling system mentioning the intended amount of heavy metal present in the
formulations could be planned. If unintentional in-process adulteration is
found then consumers should be warned and responsible agencies penalized.
Sometimes, the contamination occurs when the herbs are grown in a polluted area
and at the time of processing or storage. Care has to be taken to buy raw herbs
from known sources, and soil and raw herbs tested periodically for
contaminants. GAP (good agricultural practice) has to be followed. Other times,
some of the herbs selectively absorb and accumulate the heavy metals from the
soils10, which in turn can be utilized to decontaminate the soils.
On the other hand, we can test our everyday other consumables for heavy metals
also8, 9, 10, 11. Besides being contaminated with pesticides, insecticides and
other toxic industrial and chemical byproducts, there have been reports of
contamination of water, lettuce and even organic milk in Maryland and
California with perchlorate, which is a toxic chemical used as rocket fuel! (
http://www.ewg.org/issues/perchlorate/index.php). Can we do anything about
that?
top
References:
1. Antman KH. Introduction: the history of arsenic trioxide in cancer therapy.
Oncologist. 2001; 6 Suppl 2:1-2.
2. Ranga RS, Girija R. Rasagenthi lehyam (RL) a novel complementary and
alternative medicine for prostate cancer. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2004 Jul;
54(1): 7-15. Epub 2004 Mar 24.
3. Thorat S, Dahanukar S. Can we dispense with Ayurvedic Samskaras? J Postgrad
Med 1991 Dec 24 37:157-9
4. Sharma MK, Kumar M, Kumar A. Ocimum sanctum aqueous leaf extract provides
protection against mercury induced toxicity in Swiss albino mice. Indian J Exp
Biol. 2002 Sep; 40(9): 1079-82.
5. Samudralwar DL, Garg AN.
Minor and trace elemental determination in the Indian herbal and other
medicinal preparations. Biol Trace Elem Res. 1996 Aug; 54(2): 113-21.
6. Bhattacharya A, Ramanathan M, Ghosal S, Bhattacharya SK. Effect of Withania
somnifera glycowithanolides on iron-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Phytother
Res. 2000 Nov; 14(7): 568-70.
7. Bhattacharya A, Kumar M. Effect of bioactive tannoid principles of Emblica
Officinalis on iron-induced hepatic toxicity in rats. Phytomedicine. 2000 Apr;
7(2): 173-5.
8. Klaassen CD. Heavy metals and heavy metal antagonists. Goodman &
Gilman's: the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. 10th Ed. New York, NY:
McGraw -Hill Professional; 2001:1851-1876
9. Gochfeld M. Cases of mercury exposure, bioavailability, and absorption.
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2003 Sep; 56(1): 174-9.
10. Gross R, Auslitz J. Concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury and other
elements in seeds of Lupinus mutabilis and of other legumes. J Environ Pathol
Toxicol Oncol. 1987 Jan-Feb;7(3):59-65.
11. Formanek R Jr. Highlights of FDA food safety efforts: fruit juice, mercury
in fish. FDA Consum. 2001 Mar-Apr;35(2):15-7. www.cfsan.fda.
gov/~lrd/tphgfish.html.
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