Arsenic in Ayurvedic remedies

[Guest guest]

Attached is a message from Richters Herbs for comments.

 

Vinod

 

Hi all,

 

A recent study has apparently shown that certain ayurvedic remedies contain

harmful amounts of arsenic. In Canada, this has led to a warning about

ayurvedic remedies. Potentially, this study and the reaction of the

regulators in Canada and the U.S. could prove to be very harmful to

ayurvedic medicine in North America. We already know how the regulators

overreacted to reports of liver damage caused by kava (see

http://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=Issues/issues.html)

 

Is arsenic considered medicinal under certain circumstances in ayurvedic

medicine and is it thus purposefully included in ayurvedic remedies? Or,

is arsenic used in the processing of certain ingredients used in ayurvedic

medicine? Or, is arsenic never used, and thus, according to ayurvedic

principles, is this a clear-cut case of inappropriate or inadvertent

presence of arsenic?

 

Conrad Richter

RICHTERS HERBS

 

--\

------------------

 

Warning issued for Ayurvedic products

 

Canadian Press, March 5, 2005

 

People who use Ayurvedic medicinal products should know they may contain

dangerous levels of the heavy metals lead, mercury or arsenic, Health

Canada warned yesterday.

 

The department cited a recent U.S. study as evidence for the warning.

 

The study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association

reported that a number of commercially available Ayurvedic products sold

in the Boston area contained potentially harmful levels of the metals.

 

Although none of the products tested in the United States are authorized

for sale in Canada, the department said it suspected at least three are

available in parts of the country.

 

It said one product, sold under the name Safi as a blood purifier for

skin diseases and digestive problems, was tested by Health Canada and

found to contain arsenic levels more than 40 times the maximum allowable

concentration for drugs.

 

Ayurvedic medicinal products are used in traditional Indian healing and

are often imported from India.

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

this was the same study that we debated a couple months ago

some folks on the list took deep offense with the study, and maligned

the intent of the researchers, which i thought a bit unfair

 

conrad is correct, however (if only because he supports my original

contention :-) that heavy metals in Ayurvedic products will seriously

damage the trust people have in them - its a hot button issue in the

west, regardless of the fact that in some cases the metals may be

intentionally added

 

it must be remembered that we have been using toxic compounds to kill

our patients for too long - i just picked a copy of a medical text from

the late 1800's - the contents read like a nightmare: arsenic, lead,

mercury etc.

the good doctor was even recommending that physicians liberally spray

formaldehyde around their offices as a disinfectant, stating that it

was "Harmless To Higher Animals"

 

what we need is certified organic herbs from India - is there an agency

in India that currently producers?

Caldecott

todd

[Guest guest]

There is an excellent discussion of all the reasons why this JAMA

study was unfounded and disingenuous. Many scholars and researchers

have weighed in. So perhaps those of you in Canada would find research

arguements to show the Canadian govt that the study is invalid. This

is the forum of the Ayurveda Holistic Community.

http://www.ayurvedahc.com/ivi/forums/showthread.php?threadid=57&highlight=heavy+\

metal&s=8326ecb8e12850af237d85f5d9be4c53

 

[select and copy the above link in browser windows to reach above site]

 

> A recent study has apparently shown that certain ayurvedic remedies

contain

> harmful amounts of arsenic. In Canada, this has led to a warning about

> ayurvedic remedies. Potentially, this study and the reaction of the

> regulators in Canada and the U.S. could prove to be very harmful to

> ayurvedic medicine in North America. We already know how the

regulators

> overreacted to reports of liver damage caused by kava (see

> http://www.richters.com/newdisplay.cgi?page=Issues/issues.html)

 

 

[Guest guest]

This is a subject on which enough and more discussion has taken place.

It is simple.

America and Canada are much junior countries compared to India in the case of

medical research.

They simply do not understand that plants like Tinospora Cordifolia contains

mercury.

Several other plants have arsenic or lead in their juice.

But in Ayurveda it is purified and used for the good of the mankind.

If it were like eating lead or mercury, a country called India would not have

survived.

India's medical research started at least 4000 years ago.

Surgery was done in B.C. in India.

Even now, many of the famous medical doctors in the US and UK are Indians.

If the people of US and Canada understand that Ayurveda is not projected by a

group or Country for any selfish motive, then they will not fear this natural

medicine.

On the one side they say they are nature lovers.

On the other day they vote for chemical medicines and hate natural medical

products.

US and Canada should change this pattern.

If any Allopathy (modern medicine) lobby plays behind this so called "Research"

people should understand the truth.

 

Joseph Mathew P

Editor, Global Ayurveda Magazine,Kerala,India

[Guest guest]

There are Cerification Agencies both American and European that have

operations in India. However, the costs being high, very few people obtain

the certification. Its purely driven by customer requirments. Situations

like these will probably force businesses to follow best practices and

obtain third party certifications.

 

Vinod

 

 

 

 

-

"Todd Caldecott" <todd

 

> what we need is certified organic herbs from India - is there an agency

> in India that currently producers?

>

Caldecott

> todd

[Guest guest]

Given the mindsets and the lobbies won't it be less harmful for the science

if the drugs disclosed the fact that heavy metals were likely to be present

although harmless. The transparency will present lesser opportunities for

vested interests to dramatize the issues. 'Warnings' are inventions of the

same lobbies to facilitate sale of their much more harmful products.

 

Vinod

-

"global ayurveda" <globalayurveda

 

> They simply do not understand that plants like Tinospora Cordifolia

> contains mercury.

> Several other plants have arsenic or lead in their juice.

> But in Ayurveda it is purified and used for the good of the mankind.

> If it were like eating lead or mercury, a country called India would not

> have

> survived.

> India's medical research started at least 4000 years ago.

> Surgery was done in B.C. in India.

> Even now, many of the famous medical doctors in the US and UK are Indians.

> If the people of US and Canada understand that Ayurveda is not projected

> by a group or Country for any selfish motive, then they will not fear this

> natural medicine.

> On the one side they say they are nature lovers.

> On the other day they vote for chemical medicines and hate natural medical

> products.

> US and Canada should change this pattern.

> If any Allopathy (modern medicine) lobby plays behind this so called

> "Research" people should understand the truth.

>

> Joseph Mathew P

> Editor, Global Ayurveda Magazine,Kerala,India

[Guest guest]

> They simply do not understand that plants like Tinospora Cordifolia

> contains mercury.

> Several other plants have arsenic or lead in their juice.

 

hi joseph

 

do you have the abstracts that describe how much lead or mercury are

naturally found in these plants?

this would be useful information to obtain

cinnamon and seaweed probably contain much higher amounts of mercury

than Guduchi, and nobody is suggesting these are unsafe

 

> There is an excellent discussion of all the reasons why this JAMA

> study was unfounded and disingenuous.

 

1. one writer correctly lambasts the media for sensationalizing the

study - as we all know, the media are notoriously unreliable - today's

journalists are not taught to think for themselves - this is

unfortunate

2. the same writer says there is an abundance of data to suggest the

safety of bhasmas, particularly those that contain heavy metals - but

where are they? i have looked for them and they aren't on PubMed - if

these studies exists and they are well-designed they should be brought

forward

 

> Many scholars and researchers

> have weighed in. So perhaps those of you in Canada would find research

> arguements to show the Canadian govt that the study is invalid.

 

The major flaw in the study was that the researchers ignorantly tested

products that contained intentionally high amounts of certain heavy

metals - either the researchers didn't have a clue, or they were simply

intent on proving an obvious hypothesis that bhasmas contain heavy

metals

 

the products that weren't bhasmas contained considerably lower amounts

of heavy metals, but for some, like Safi, the amount appears to be

unacceptable - quality control is a major issue for Ayurvedic products

in the West, particularly those sold in Indian grocery stores

 

there is no doubt this is a hot button issue

 

the defense of Ayurveda and its practices by the various writers is

passionate and well-justified

however, the issue is that heavy metals in Ayurvedic or Chinese or

whatever products or foods is going to create a storm of controversy

here in the West

 

that is why Banyan Botanicals took the action they did, and in doing

so, are well-positioned to continue to profit from the West's emerging

interest in Ayurveda - companies that don't will come under scrutiny,

because once it gets into the brain of the consumer mind, it is

difficult to change - look how long its taken to even mount an

effective counter to the "fat is bad" polemic

 

best...

Caldecott

todd

www.toddcaldecott.com

 

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public

relations, for Nature cannot be fooled."

-Richard P. Feynman

[Guest guest]

It seems to me that metals in herbs come from

basically two sources. One is from byproducts such as

fertilizers, additives, metals from dust that

contaminate, car exhaust, other pollution, etc. The

other is from metals that are part of the medication.

I think people in India can talk all they want about

the theory behind metals in ayurvedic compounds.

Whether or not people in India like it, the burden is

on them to either clean up the metals in Ayurvedic

compounds and/or prove they are safe and beneficial (

as in the case of bhasmas ). As Todd said, people in

the West have a right to be skeptical about metals in

medicine. If we could only convice these same doctors

in the west about the use of metals in medicines like

vaccines. Have there been any blind studies done on

using metals in medicine? I would like to see them.

Would these same people volunteer for these studies?

It will not help to be defensive about it. Look at it

as an opportunity to show the world ayurvedic herbs

are most beneficial.

 

GB Khalsa

[Guest guest]

Yes there are several pharmacies in Kerala State of

India who never uses Bhasmas or metals.They use only

plant extracts, which may contain metals but

harmless.

What you mentioned( spraying poison etc..)is not

Ayurveda, sure.

Joseph Mathew

Editor

Global Ayurveda Magazine

 

--- Todd Caldecott <todd wrote:

>

> it must be remembered that we have been using toxic

> compounds to kill

> our patients for too long - i just picked a copy of

> a medical text from

> the late 1800's - the contents read like a

>

> the good doctor was even recommending that

> physicians liberally spray

> formaldehyde around their offices as a disinfectant,

> stating that it

> was "Harmless To Higher Animals"

[Guest guest]

Quoting the comments of Conrad Richter below:

 

I happen to accept that some heavy metals have a place in

medicine and if prepared and used appropriately they can be a help to

human health. The problem, though, is that heavy metals have a terrible

association with poisoning and toxicity, and there is virtually no

tolerance in North America for these substances in commercial products,

especially over-the-counter ones. An interesting study that I would

like to see done (but probably won't be done) is to compare heavy metal

levels in people who have taken ayurvedic formulations in the past with

people who have never taken them. I would be willing to bet that there

will be little detectable difference.

 

Anyway, the main point for me is that there a long established,

purposeful use of heavy metals in some ayurvedic medicines. If this

point is made clear, then we can move on to the next point of how to

deal with the presence of heavy metals in preparations in the

heavy-metal-adverse environment we have in western countries. Rather

than sweep the issue under the carpet, it seems to me that it makes

sense to a) identify and label those with heavy metals and b) decide

whether or not to try to defend those products. This way, at least, the

products without heavy metals can be promoted and used without a cloud

hanging over them.

 

Conrad

[Guest guest]

It is not necessary for we Indians to be defensive on this issue. It

is a matter of coming to an understanding of the facts. Few who have

not done the studies really know the facts on this issue. As Vaidyas

and as consumers of medicines we should demand the highest quality of

medicines for our patients and for ourselves. Every one knows that

the market in herbal products in India is full of bogus products -

one can go in any chemist shop and see them on the shelves. Would

most serious Vaidyas prescribe most of those products to their family

or patients? We do not have a proper system of medicine regulation

and therefore the motto should be 'buyer beware'.

 

I do not know the scientific or political facts around this issue in

US - I doubt anyone here does know this. But many comments made here

about the regulation system in US are not correct. Naturally US has

many political aspects to medical regulation - after all medicine is

a business with many competing interests.In general the ordinary

American consumer has more protection against fraud and toxicity than

Indians.

 

Also Ayurvedic medical companies in US like Banyan Botanical take

ultimate care to protect their buyers. This is for two reasons - the

spriritual presence behind Banyan is Dr. Vasant Lad a person of

impecable integerity and commitment to establishing Ayurveda on a

proper footing in US - he knows very well that if Ayurveda is to be

accepted in US it must be self regulated to the highest standard -

otherwise the government will come in and close them down and the

reputation of Ayurveda will be harmed - perhaps fatally. Dr. Lad

wants only the best medicines for his practice and herb business. Why

would any Vaidya want to prescribe medicines to the patients that are

not of the highest quality available. The other issue in the states

is if you poison someone are harm them in any way with your products

they might bring a court case against you that will perhaps cost you

lakhs (perhaps crores)and destroy your business.

 

One anecdote - I have no idea how represenative it might be but it

was a eye opener for me. A few years ago the owner of one of the

leading Ayurvedic medicine manufactcuring companies took a group of

us to a facility in Gujarat that provides many of the extracts that

were used by this company in their products. The man who owned this

company was a very ernest young man who obviously wanted to get rich

selling herbal products. Very proudly he showed us his process. They

wild craft the herbs in the surrounding hills - I liked that because

I think herbs ahould be grown in the wild to the extent possible (the

Chinese have done many studies showing that wild herbs are medically

more effective than farm grown herbs)and those that are grown on

farms should be grown using natural Ayurvedic concepts - with never

any chemicals of any kind added to the herbs.

 

The first thing that caught my attention was that from great distance

one could smell the cooking herbs. The next thing that caught my eye

eye was that the herbs were piled around in big piles on the ground -

when the workers gathered the herbs for putting in the open boiling

pots they were gathering weeds and dirt from the ground along with

the herbs. Another thing I noted was that many piles of herbs were in

the open air under an aluminium shed and when it rains the rainwater

from the shed drained onto the herbs - the roof of that shed was

covered in bird feces - plus the roof was made from aluminum and who

knows what other alloys. As we passed these herbs I took my hands and

uncovered the top layer of herbs and found that the herbs were damp

inside and there was much mold - underneath I felt some heat because

some kind of fermentation process was taking place - at the very

bottom the herbs were wet and decomposed. There were many big pots

where the herbs were being boiled in the open air - these were the

same kind of cast iron pots used to make jaggery. The fellow told

that he boiled the herbs for several days under constant attention to

get the concentrates he wanted - the smell of the cooking herbs was

very powerful. I asked him if perhaps cooking the herbs like this

didn't waste most of the aromatic properties of the herbs - he told

that this was the traditional way of boiling the herbs - I said that

I did not know that traditionaly medicines were made as extracts - I

thought this was basically a new invention for the purpose of ease of

manufactury of the pills. He wasn't sure about this.

 

I could not get it out of my mind that those pots were made from cast

iron a soft reactive metal that easily gets decomposed in heating

especially if sour substances are being cooked. He told me that they

could use modern steam recovery systems to make the herbs that would

retain much of the aromatic substances but it would make the cost

much more - plus he said 'that would not be natural or the

traditional way of preparing herbs'. What was actually in those pots?

What alloys are used in the smelting and manufacturing process? It

became clear to me that these herb extracts were full of many

substances besides the herbs. I had detected also a problem in the

pots with the extract sticking on the sides and as the condensation

took place a crust was formed on the sides of the pot that had a

burnt look - also I smelled a slight burnt smell coming from the

extracts - I asked to taste of the finished product - there was a

slight burnt taste. He was also making Chavanprash in these pots.

 

This experience was depressing and I have never used the products

from that company since then - and this experience remains in my mind

and I often think of it when taking medicines or tonics.

 

Standardization and quality control is necessary if Ayurveda is to

remain a viable medical system in the 21st century. Vaidyas depend on

medicines to treat the patients and the medicines should be exactly

what they are expected to be - otherwise it rebounds on the Vaidya

and he does not get the results he wants. Plus who knows what harm

these bad products create. Defending these practices is useless. Drug

manufacturers get rich and Vaidyas deal with the consequenses. I have

no desire to protect and defend bogus medical manufacturing

practices - why would anyone?

[Guest guest]

Dear Vinod

Kerala Ayurveda is different.

Everybody knows that such things happen in many parts of India but not Kerala.

You visit Kerala State which is the main place of Ayurveda.

[Guest guest]

I was born and raised in a family of Vaidyas in Mallappuram district.

Very near to Ayurveda Sala (correctly-Ayur Vaidya Sala)- my

grandfather was a friend of the great Vaidya Sri P.S. Varier - who

had been a student of Ashtavaidya Brahmasri K.V. Mooss. Both of these

great Vaidyas used Bhasmas in their practice. Vaidya Varier

manufactured medicines to the absolute highest standard of

traditional science.

[Guest guest]

> A few years ago the owner of one of the leading Ayurvedic medicine

> manufactcuring companies took a group of us to a facility in Gujarat that >

provides many of the extracts that were used by this company in their

products...

 

I wonder to what extent the mandatory GMP programme has worked to

put a stop to such deplorable practices?

 

> ...I have no desire to protect and defend bogus medical

> manufacturing practices - why would anyone?

 

It would therefore be suitable if you would please post the name of

the "extract" facility and the owner of the leading companies who

are/were using these?

 

Thanks,

Ole Alstrup

[Guest guest]

doesnt seem like ole alstrup has any knowledge of how

old ayurved and its medicines have been present in india... it has

history of being present at least for 5000 yrs... and ole

thinks that since then ARSENIC has been used in ayurved, then

i guess he should learn ayurved first and then speak, coz if that wud

have been the case, then i guess I WUD HAVE BEEN DEAD LONG TIME BACK,

COZ i ahve been taking ayurvedic medicnies since i was 6 yrs old and

now i am 20+...

 

i think people should really verify the facts first and

then speak about it... otherwise people 5000 yrs ago wud also have been

dying of "ARSENIC IN AYURVED"....

 

americans of late have been trying to deny the fact that ayuved has

cures and so to prove that it is wrong they (americans) want 30 yrs

of proof that ayurved works, when ayurved has a good and long

healhty history of being present in India for atleast 5000yrs...

 

SO I PLS REQUEST ALL U "ARSENIC" FANS TO VERIFY UR FACTS FIRST AND

THEN SPEAK ABOUT AYURVED...

[Guest guest]

Excuse me, but what planet are you from?! My questions to the

previous posting was about revealing the source of the

manufacturer who was purchasing from this mentioned facility in

Gujarat - since I am about to purchase some products from some well

known manufacturers in that particular state. And I find it

interesting to discuss what impact the recent GMP programme has had

on manufacturing facilities around India.

My questions has absolutely no bias against ayurveda. So please get

off your projection horse, when you have no idea who I am and what

my relationship is with the sacred science of Ayurveda.

 

Thank you,

Ole Alstrup

 

> doesnt seem like ole alstrup has any knowledge of how

> old ayurved and its medicines have been present in india... it

> SO I PLS REQUEST ALL U "ARSENIC" FANS TO VERIFY UR FACTS FIRST AND

> THEN SPEAK ABOUT AYURVED...

[Guest guest]

You give the taste of western people who give

comments on Ayurveda without knowing it. They even

teach "Ayurveda" . If you are born in Malappuram why

spell it as Ma"ll"apuram ? And why you call it

"Ayurveda sala" instead of it's name Arya vaidyasala

Kottakkal? If in your opinion Ayurveda in India is

very bad, then where is it better? We also had worked

and lived outside Kerala. But we never join any

lobbying against

Kerala if it is for somebody else's selfish motive.

We call Ayurveda practioners as doctor and not

Vaidya,

as they study in Medical colleges just like modern

medicine people. For the first three years modern

medicine( allopathy) students and ayurveda students

(BAMS) have same syllabus. You know that Ayurvedic

medicines are safer than Allopathic medicines .Then

why you are raising such arguments.

 

 

> I was born and raised in a family of Vaidyas in

> Mallappuram district.

> Very near to Ayurveda Sala (correctly-Ayur Vaidya

> Sala)- my

> grandfather was a friend of the great Vaidya Sri

> P.S. Varier - who

> had been a student of Ashtavaidya Brahmasri K.V.

> Mooss. Both of these

> great Vaidyas used Bhasmas in their practice. Vaidya

> Varier manufactured medicines to the absolute highest

> standard of

> traditional science.

[Guest guest]

please let's not deride Ayurvedic practices on the basis of

regionalism: its an old tired argument that nobody benefits from

instead, lets debate the merits of Ayurvedic practices, and stay

focused on this

 

> You give the taste of western people who give

> comments on Ayurveda without knowing it. They even

> teach "Ayurveda" . If you are born in Malappuram why

> spell it as Ma"ll"apuram ? And why you call it

> "Ayurveda sala" instead of it's name Arya vaidyasala

> Kottakkal? If in your opinion Ayurveda in India is

> very bad, then where is it better? We also had worked

[Guest guest]

If in your opinion Ayurveda in India is

> very bad, then where is it better?

 

Very sad to say but Ayurveda is not in very good condition throughout

the world. If one agrees that Ayurveda is at it's peak in Kerala then

this is not saying very much as in Kerala the practice of Ayurveda is

being taken over by the medicine manufacturing companies. Ayurveda is

in a transition phase as the traditional practieces and education are

being transformed into new techniques. It will take sometime before

the practice of Ayurveda in Kerala (and rest of world)establishes

itself in an acceptable manner for the modern people. To go on

claiming high status for Ayurveda in the face of evidence is not

helpful to Ayurveda. Even the famous Brahmanic famalies have gone

into shady business practices.

 

There is much good in Ayurveda in Kerala - but also much bad. To

ignore the bad is not going to put Ayurveda up - it will create

doubts for the modern people. Majority of people go to the Allopaths

now and the allopaths are putting themselves on higher more

proffesional level. But Throughout India and foreign countries Kerala

is develping reputation for being the land of bogus Panchkarma

clinics. Without naming names just look at the famous companies that

have put up 'Ayurveda Spas' cattering to foreign people for no other

reason than to make money. Few young 'doctors' can make a decent

living unless they work for those big companies, hospitals, and

clinics - I know many young men who have not been able to establish

themselves in private practice and are in dispair - some have moved

on to Allopathy. Two men of my acquaintance are now going into

computer field.

 

 

We also had worked

> and lived outside Kerala. But we never join any

> lobbying against

> Kerala if it is for somebody else's selfish motive.

 

I have no selfish motive whatsoever in praying that Ayurveda be

lifted to it's proper place in modern life. My wish is that Ayurveda

could be analyzed just as any system is analyzed - objectively and

for the betterment of Ayurveda. Why can one not analyze the weak

points in ayurveda without being accused of trying to harm Ayurveda.

If what is meant is the criticism of the bogus practieces of even the

largest Medicine manufacturing companies. Then I am very guilty of

that - it is these bogus business practices that are harming Ayurveda

not those of us who are raising the alarm - that Ayurveda is getting

a bad name. Why are we waiting for the western practioners to take

over Ayurveda and make it into a respectable modern science. This

should be led by Indian practioners. Few western researchers who are

interested in Ayurveda will accept any of the studies done by the

Ayurvedic pharmacutical companies.

 

 

> We call Ayurveda practioners as doctor and not

> Vaidya,

> as they study in Medical colleges just like modern

> medicine people.

 

Vaidya Varier and Vaidya Mooss were not called doctor then or now.

In those days Vaidya was a respected title - now young docors want to

deny it.

 

 

You know that Ayurvedic

> medicines are safer than Allopathic medicines .Then

> why you are raising such arguments.

 

 

How do I know this? According to what criteria? Safety is one issue -

efficacy is another issue. We have to put the manufacturing of

medicines and the clinical uses of medicines on a scientific

varifiable basis before they will be put on equal basis with the

Allopaths. Many want it both ways - praising the traditional medical

system while at the same time insisting how Ayurvedic is equal to the

Allopathic system in its education and practice. I also am not

impressed by the level of Allopathic education in Kerala. Education

in general needs much improvement. It is not just the western

resaerchers that must be won over - it is also the new generation of

young people who must be won over. Most young people go for Allopath

automatically - they only even think of Ayurveda after they have

wasted time and money with no success or maybe worse - with

sideeffects from the Allopaths. As last resort they will go for

Ayurveda.

 

The fact that young physicians want to be called 'doctor' is proof

they suffer inferiority complex with regard to the Allopaths. If

Ayurveda was established in the position it deserves in relationship

to the Allopathic sysytem then young physicians would not feel so

defensive. This will only come about when they are able to analyze

with a clear objective mind what are the problems in Ayurveda.

 

For me the most important areas that need deep analysis - inadequate

education system - quality of medicines - low level business

practices - lack of proper varifiable research.

 

Malappuram - Mallappuram - Malapuram - Mallapuram

[Guest guest]

One doubt I did not answer but needs answering.

 

> You give the taste of western people who give

> comments on Ayurveda without knowing it. They even

> teach "Ayurveda".

 

I have lived in US for forty years - so I know both sides of this

fence. The assumption that many Indian people have that western

people are not qualified to discuss various issues of Indian culture

is simple nonsense. Many of the worlds leading experts on most Indian

subjects are non Indian - religion - politics - science - art - etc.

There are highly qualified people in most western countries who

practice and teach Ayurveda at an equal level to what is done in

India - in fact superior to most of what passes as Ayurveda. Ayurveda

is in no way established on a firm footing in the west but it is

slowly improving. There are leaders who want to put Ayurveda on firm

footing - and they work hard to do that - what is the purpose of

criticizing them - even if one feels they are not equal then why not

accept them with the respect they deserve as juniors.

 

So many western people from all levels of society have taken up Yoga -

music - dance - medicine etc. from India. Their practice has slowly

risen to be respected throughout the world. The establishment as an

example of Yoga in western socoities is of a generally higher level

amongst the ordinary people than in India. Can not the western

peoplle also practice Yoga? Is Yoga only for Indians? Is Ayurveda

only for Indians? Many of the western Vaidyas studied in the same

schools in India that the young Indian students study - there are

some of these Vaidyas here in this group. Are they inferior to those

Indian students they sat beside in class? Prejudice against western

people is in the same catagory as the western prejudice against

Indians. Where will such things get us?

 

There is discussion here about quality of medicines? Why is it that

western patients and Vaidyas are the only ones who are demanding the

highest quality in medicines possible. Instead of Indian practioners

demanding this quality they are defensive about bogus practices. When

western students (there are many in this group)raise concerns they

are insulted. This is the reason why the establishment of Ayurveda on

a firm basis in modern society will never be led by Indians it will

be led by western researchers. Most western students are highly

idealistic and demand the best. Instead of being insulted by saying

they are not qualified to discuss - they should be incouraged.

 

After a few years Ayurveda will be losing ground in India amongst the

people and will be established in the west on scientific grounds as a

new scientific subject. After gaining recognition in west then it

will return to India and be accepted and established as a modern

medical system.

 

Let us all work to the best of our ability for the upliftment of

Ayurveda - and leave petty bickering and rivalry behind.