Events

Some heavy talk on Ayurveda!

Katya Naidu

The JAMA report, the Canadian ban and heavy publicity on the harm of heavy metals is what Ayurveda is in news for. And certainly, it is no good news for the ayurvedic practitioners. Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA) and Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers' Association (ADMA) have turned in to do some serious damage control. They have jointly organised a workshop to discuss on 'Heavy Metal and Microbial Quality in Ayurvedic and Herbal Products'. “Keeping in view of the recent controversies regarding Heavy Metals found in Ayurvedic Medicines, there is a need to create a correct picture of the status of Heavy Metals as therapeutics in Ayurveda and as contaminants as understood by conventional methods,” said Daara B Patel, Secretary General of (IDMA).

The workshop was inaugurated by Shiv Basant, Joint Secretary of Ayush. Even though the sentiment expressed by the speakers was that the West had little knowledge of the science behind Ayurveda, they all agreed that Ayurvedic companies need to validate their products and the heavy metal content should be tested. The workshop had progressive talks on toxicology, microbiological safety and quality assurance of Ayurvedic products.

Dr Ashok D B Vaidya, Medical and Research Director of SPARC, who is considered an authority in the subject, delivered his very interesting lecture on 'A Paradigm Shift in the perception of Bhasmas and Metals from Foes to Friends.'

Heavy metals are defined as those, which have a specific gravity that is five times the specific gravity of water. But, Vaidya says, the metal content in bhasmas is 'not' heavy, as some well-made bhasmas float on water. Not only was he quick to defend the age-old science from the whiplashes of the West, but he also discussed the reasons behind the issue. “Many Ayurvedic people are life science innocents. That is why we are failing at the international arena,” he lamented. He asserted on the need for a drug monitored cell in ayurveda. Finally, he gave his kudos to ayurveda saying, “If bhasmas were toxic, India would never have had the population problem at all.”