source of herbs without heavy metals

[Guest guest]

hi,

 

i just wanted to drop a note and share my thoughts on this topic.

Many in this group are discussing various brands of ayurvedic herbs

and products, however, most people don't know to ask if they have

been tested for heavy metals. Many consumers get blinded by the fact

that the herb should be "organic". Organic does not equal "heavy

metal free". An herb can be completely organic and loaded with

mercury, lead, or arsenic. Heavy metal poisoning is far more lethal

and deadly than pesticide spraying, in my opinion. I just wanted to

warn everyone to ask the right questions of your suppliers. After

the JAMA article came out, major brands like DABUR, HIMALAYA, ZANDU,

BAIDYANATH all have heavy metal counts that far exceed the FDA's

limits. Also, e-coli and salmonella contamination is very common in

India because the herbs are dried outdoors in the open. Has anyone

asked their herb company if their products have been checked for

this? If you don't ask, no one will tell you!

 

I have come across a company (after many years of buying

contaminated herbs) that sell herbs that are grown without

pesticides and have been tested for heavy metals (bazaar of

india...i think their website is bazaarofindia.com ) I don't have

any affiliation with them but they are cerainly worth checking out

if you are looking for a US based company that does good quality

control. I have been happy with them.

 

Peace and good health to all!

Malini

[Guest guest]

Hi,

would like to add few more points ...

 

Even the test reports for heavy metals like hg, as, Pb

are inconsistent from lab to lab. Different labs have

different reports. Even a varaition of 1.0 ug to 1.5

ug means 50% varaition.

 

Our company sends sample to Europe for testing and the

reports from that lab are much higher than the one

tested here.

 

sanjeev

[Guest guest]

Dear Sanjeev,

 

What would be the reason behind this? And again do the persons testing

the samples have any ayurvedic knowledge or background? Metals are used

in ayurveda, and their use is medically justified. What many people do

not know is that the processing adapted renders the metals safe.

 

Is there any regulatory authority in India which has set standards or

does random check of the procedures adapted by the ayurvedic

pharmaceuticals to ensure that the principles are followed? Gold, iron,

and pearl bhasmas are used in many ayurvedic preparations. Can you give

us a list of all the metals that are commonly used in popular

preparations like chavanaprash etc? Can you also give us an idea about

how the toxic elements like mercury, lead are detoxified using

ayurvedic processes? I had an article on this subject which I have

misplaced.

 

I think we must be ready with all material because very soon the Indian

medical community will also start targetting ayurveda as they are

threatened by its rising popularity.

 

Sometimes the tests can be very misleading. Sometime back it was

reported that homeopathic remedies had tested positive for steroids. It

was left to the homeopaths to research and point out that under a

certain process both steroids and the milk of magnesia powder used by

homeopaths gave the same results!! This fact was conviniently supressed

by the "scientists".

 

Regards,

Jagannath.

 

ayurveda, Sanjeev Saraf

<sarafsanjeev2001> wrote:

> Even the test reports for heavy metals like hg, as, Pb

> are inconsistent from lab to lab. Different labs have

> different reports. Even a varaition of 1.0 ug to 1.5

> ug means 50% varaition.