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Ayurveda

Treatments: Ayurvedic Herbs

Ayurvedic herbs should be administered by an Ayurvedic practitioner trained in Ayurvedic herbalism. This is especially important because of interactions between conventional drugs and Ayurvedic herbal preparations, some of which can be dangerous. Herbs are often prepared while chanting an appropriate mantra to empower the properties of the herbs. Chanting the mantra 108 times is considered the most empowering as 108 is considered a sacred number.

The herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine often have antioxidant effects, which means that they may help protect against the damage from free radicals. While herbs in smaller amounts may cause a therapeutic action on the body, higher doses may lead to symptoms associated with toxicity. Ayurvedic herbal preparations sold in the U. S. market have caused lead, mercury, and arsenic poisoning, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. According to the NCCAM (the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine), in 2004, 14 out of 70 Ayurvedic herbal remedies tested from Boston, MA were found to contain lead, mercury, and/or arsenic at potentially harmful levels. All products were manufactured in South Asia. In the same year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received 12 reports of lead poisoning linked to the use of Ayurvedic herbal products. A lack of research exists on the effectiveness, safety, side effects, and potential drug interactions of Ayurvedic herbal products. Although some research has been done, there have generally been problems with the design of the studies.

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