Category Archives: Ayurveda

Ayurveda, CAM Politics, Chinese Medicine, Cochrane Library, Heavy Metals

A critical review of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine

I was shocked by a recent Cochrane Review that concluded, “There was no evidence that the Chinese medicinal herbal treatment caused harm” in women with breast cancer.

Anyone who has followed the pet food recalls or reviewed the safety literature on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and traditional Indian medicine (TIM) would come to a different conclusion. Continue reading A critical review of traditional Chinese and Indian medicine →

Ayurveda, Ginseng, Heart Disease

Interference by ginseng with a new digoxin immunoassay

Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and the Indian Ayurvedic medicine Ashwagandha interfere with serum digoxin measurements obtained with commonly used fluorescent immunoassay tests.

Abbott Laboratories has marketed an alternative digoxin immunoassay, Digoxin III. Researchers at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston report on the risk of getting inaccurate digoxin levels in patients who take digoxin and one of these herbals at the same time. Continue reading Interference by ginseng with a new digoxin immunoassay →

Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Consumer Alert, Heart Disease, Pain, Rheumatoid Diseases, Rosemary, Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane: Uses, risks, and admonitions

“The wolfsbane I should dread;
Nor will I dreary rosemarye,
That always mourns the dead;
But I will woo the dainty rose,
With her cheeks of tender red.” …Thomas Hood

Wolfsbane (Aconitum napellus, aconite, monkshood) is sometimes included in herbal remedies to treat inflammation, pain, musculoskeletal problems (eg arthritis), and heart problems. Continue reading Wolfsbane: Uses, risks, and admonitions →

Anxiety (Panic)/Depression, Asthma/Allergy, Ayurveda, Cough, Headache/Migraine, Pain, Sleep (Insomnia)

Response to Ayurvedic herbal supplements among 9/11 survivors

Here are the results of a study of Ayurvedic herbal treatment for health problems caused by exposure to the toxic chemicals at Ground Zero and in lower Manhattan following the September 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

Improvement during Ayurvedic herbal treatment was reported. Continue reading Response to Ayurvedic herbal supplements among 9/11 survivors →

Ayurveda, Chromium, Consumer Alert, Dashmoola, Heavy Metals

Toxic metals and pesticides in the ayurvedic formulation, Dashmoola

Dashmoola is a popular herbal formulation in ayurvedic medicine. It’s used to reduce fever and modify the immune response.

In this study, scientists from the National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow, India tested the roots and stems from 10 herbs used to prepare Dashmoola. Continue reading Toxic metals and pesticides in the ayurvedic formulation, Dashmoola →

Anemia, Ayurveda, Consumer Alert, Heavy Metals

Ayurvedic lead poisoning results in greater toxicity than lead paint intoxication

Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston believe, “the United States Food and Drug Administration and corresponding agencies in other countries should require heavy metal testing for all imported dietary supplements.”

The recommendation is based on what they found among people taking Ayurvedic medicines. Continue reading Ayurvedic lead poisoning results in greater toxicity than lead paint intoxication →

Ayurveda, CAM Politics

Councilman requests city funding for Ayurvedic therapies

Today, more than 400 firefighters and other 9/11 responders are taking 4 pills composed of up to 20 herbs twice a day. They claim to feel healthier than they did after undergoing Western remedies for their ailments.

Now, Councilman Michael McMahon is requesting funding of more than $200,000 from New York City to help pay for Ayurvedic therapies.

Now, there’s this… Continue reading Councilman requests city funding for Ayurvedic therapies →