Here’s a study that looked at the feasibility and clinical impact of prescribing several ayurvedic treatments in 60 people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Continue reading An ayurvedic protocol to treat type 2 diabetes
Category Archives: Ayurveda
The use of homeopathy among celebrities
I was surprised to learn of the popularity of homeopathy among today’s luminaries.
Here’s a list.
In Ayurveda “dis” means deprived of, “ease” means Comfort
The Second World Ayurvedic Congress ended on November 12th.
Aleksandra Suriel, a nurse from Calgary, Albert attended. She’s a yoga teacher, and reiki master, with an interest in energy medicine. Inspired by the meeting, here’s her perspective on Ayurveda and Western medicine.
“Our western world knows only how to cure, but doesn’t know how to live a healthy life.”
Continue reading In Ayurveda “dis” means deprived of, “ease” means Comfort
Ayurvedic drug reported effective to treat osteoarthritis of the knee
RA-11 (Artrex, Mendar) is a standardized multiplant Ayurvedic drug that contains Withania somnifera, Boswellia serrata, Zingiber officinale, and Curcuma longa. In a 32-week study of 90 people with osteoarthritis of the knee, it was more effective than placebo for pain relief.
OK, but I have some questions.
Continue reading Ayurvedic drug reported effective to treat osteoarthritis of the knee
High risk of heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicines
A recent post here summarized the risks associated with lead blood levels. It’s more toxic than was previously believed. And if you take Ayurvedic medicine, it’s important to be aware of the risks you are exposed to.
How high is the risk?
Continue reading High risk of heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicines
Lead: More toxic than we thought
In addition to Ayurvedic medicines, certain traditional or folk medications used in East Indian, Middle Eastern, West Asian, and Hispanic cultures contain lead. The “logic” supporting the addition of lead to medicine was summarized in an earlier post.
Now it’s reported that lead is more toxic than we thought. People with lead blood levels well below those previously considered safe (less than 10 mcg/dL) are at increased risk for heart attack and stroke.
How great is the risk?
The rationale for adding lead to medicine
Everybody in the west knows that lead is toxic, right? We spend lots of money removing lead paint from the walls of old houses. So, what is the logic that justifies adding lead to ayurvedic medicines?
Dr. Annapoorna Chirra from the Department of Medicine at UCLA has the answer.
Lead poisoning and ayurvedic medicines
The New York Times Magazine published a travelogue by a San Francisco woman who spent time In India as an “ayurveda tourist.” The goal of the trip was to “immerse [herself] in ayurveda, the 3,500-year-old herb-based healing tradition that still flourishes in the daily life of India.”
As might be expected of a San Franciscan writing in NYT, she managed to insert a dig at Dick Cheney, but not once in 2900 words mentions the problem of lead poisoning associated with ayurvedic medicines.
Guess you have to pick your poison. But if she can’t do it, I will.
Continue reading Lead poisoning and ayurvedic medicines
Ayurveda: Struggling within itself
It’s easy to be critical of ayurveda ? a “natural healing system” developed in India. The immediate problems, from a Western perspective, include lack of standardization and reported toxicity (particularly lead poisoning).
But there’s more. “The problem lies in the crisis of confidence both within and outside the ayurvedic community, and it is here that the future efforts need to be concentrated in order to effect a revitalization.”