Ayurvedic medicine

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'''Ayurvedic medicine''' is a system of [[alternative medicine]] that descends from ancient medical techniques of [[Hinduism|Hindu]] society in Ancient [[India]]. There are three principal early texts on Ayurveda: the Charaka Samhita, the Sushruta Samhita, and the Bhela Samhita. It is one of the few systems of medicine developed in ancient times that is still widely practiced in modern times. As such, it is open to the criticism that its conceptual basis is obsolete and that its contemporary practitioners have not taken account of the developments of [[modern medicine]].

It is based on the idea that the body has three elements, and that [[disease]] is the result of elemental imbalance.<ref group=note>Quite like [[Heroic medicine|humorism]], really, and both consider [[cupping]] a splendid idea, but at least Ayurvedic medicine is not quite as fond of [[bloodletting]].</ref> Proponents of the practice of Ayurvedic medicine claim to cure almost anything, in this case by supposedly getting your bodily systems in line with one another and with the alleged elements of the [[Earth]]. This is achieved by many treatments including [[yoga]], [[Herbal supplement|herbal remedies]], pastes made by herbs and oils, ''panchakarma'', which is described as a 5-step program for therapeutic cleansing, and ''rasa shastra'', a system involving treating diseases with metals including [[mercury]] and [[lead]].

==Treatments==
===Panchakarma===
Panchakarma is an Ayurvedic treatment which supposedly clears the body of [[toxin]]s and balances the body's [[Subtle energy|"energy"]] (whatever that means). It's recommended to be done every year as a "tune up".<ref name=holistic>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210422043340/https://www.holisticonline.com/ayurveda/ayv-treatment-panchakarma.htm Ayurveda &mdash; Panchakarma], holistic-online.com. Archived from [http://www.holistic-online.com/ayurveda/ayv-treatment-panchakarma.htm the original] on April 22, 2021.</ref> It consists of five parts: Vomiting, purging, [[enema]], herbal inhalation therapy, and [[bloodletting]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060322043237/http://www.ayurvedic-medicines.com/cancer.html Ayurvedic Medicine: Cancer Natural Ayurvedic Cure]</ref> as well as a "pre-treatment" consisting of oil [[massage]] and [[essential oil]] ingestion.<ref name=holistic/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140706041742/http://www.chopra.com/our-services/ayurvedic-spa/panchakarma Panchakarma.] Chopra Center. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014.</ref> The vomiting is used to balance the body's ''kapha'', the purging is for clearing the body of toxins, the enema is used for various things, the herbal inhalation balances the body's ''[[Pranic healing|prana]]'', and the bloodletting "purifies" the blood and clears it of toxins (again).

===Bloodletting===
{{main|Bloodletting}}
Bloodletting is used for excessive drowsiness, baldness, urticaria, rash, eczema, acne, scabies, leucoderma, chronic itching and hives, enlarged liver, spleen, gout, [[Cancer|tumors]], and genital infections.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20140729043635/http://www.bioline.org.br/request?jp11068 Bloodletting - An Ayurvedic perspective]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20180102202809/http://www.ayurvedaireland.ie/treatments/raktamokshana.html Raktamokshana(Siraveda & Jalokacharana).] Ayurveda Health Clinic. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160823190837/http://www.allayurveda.com/panch_bletting.asp Bloodletting therapy helps to remove toxins.] Allayurveda.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2016.</ref>

====Leeching====
In Ayurvedic medicine [[leeching]] is thought to be good for baldness.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160301210426/http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Ayurveda-for-Alopecia Ayurveda for Alopecia.] AltMD. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016.</ref> According to one pro-Ayurveda source, "Ayurvedic medicine has had an obsession with these creatures for centuries."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20171007120448/http://www.reenita.com/ayurvedic-detox-leeches-help-you-live-longer/ Ayurvedic Detox: Leeches Help You Live Longer], Reenita's wisdom. (2008). Archived from the original on October 7, 2017.</ref>

===Vomit therapy===
[[Vomit therapy|Vomiting]] is supposedly good for "cough, cold, symptoms of asthma, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, anemia, poisoning, skin diseases, diabetes, lymphatic obstruction, chronic indigestion, edema (swelling), epilepsy (between attacks), chronic sinus problems, and for repeated attacks of tonsillitis."<ref name=holistic/> It has been recommended for ''Kapha Dosha'' (qualities reflecting [[water]] and earth<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210120141441/https://www.eattasteheal.com/Ayurveda101/ETH_BodyTypes.htm The three doshas: The keys to your individual nature.] Eat, Taste, Heal. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021.</ref>) disorders, including "bronchial asthma, allergic bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, migraine, hyperacidity, indigestion, anorexia, obesity, overweight, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, acne vulgaris, psoriasis, eczema, urticaria".<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296337/ A study on ''Vasantika Vamana'' (therapeutic emesis in spring season) &mdash; A preventive measure for diseases of ''Kapha'' origin] by Santoshkumar Bhatted et al. ''Ayu''. 2011 Apr-Jun; 32(2): 181–186. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.92562.</ref> Yes, vomiting has been claimed to prevent anorexia!

===Heavy metals/rasa shastra===
Rasa shastra is an ancient body of medical folklore in Ayurvedic medicine. It holds that it will do you good to eat [[mercury]], [[lead]], and [[arsenic]], but only if they've been purified by baking them in burning cow shit. Not recommended; while mercury and arsenic do have some rare real medical uses (e.g. chemotherapy and treating certain parasitic diseases), they do so in the form of being put in various compounds that make them safer, not boiling them in yogurt.

In Ayurvedic medicine, arsenic,<ref>http://www.academia.edu/1439765/Arsenical_Compounds_in_Ayurveda_Medicine-_A_Prospective_analysis]</ref> lead and mercury are thought to be effective remedies. Accordingly, about 20% of Ayurvedic herbs sold on the [[Internet]] (by both [[Big Placebo|Indian and American companies]]) contain dangerous amounts of substances such as lead, arsenic, and mercury.<ref>[http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-08-26-ayurvedic-medicines_N.htm Study finds toxins in some herbal medicines], Liz Szabo, ''USAToday''.</ref> In one study, researchers bought imported Ayurvedic herbal remedies from several stores in the Boston area, and 20% of those products also contained dangerous levels of the same heavy metals.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15598918 ''Heavy metal content of ayurvedic herbal medicine products''], Saper RB, Kales SN, Paquin J, Burns MJ, Eisenberg DM, Davis RB, Phillips RS, ''JAMA''. 2004 Dec 15;292(23):2868-73.</ref> In another study, about 20% of Ayurvedic and [[Traditional Chinese medicine|traditional Chinese]] remedies sold in the Netherlands also contained dangerous amounts of heavy metals.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19890755 Monitoring of mercury, arsenic, and lead in traditional Asian herbal preparations on the Dutch market and estimation of associated risks], ''Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess''. 2010 Feb;27(2):190-205. doi: 10.1080/02652030903207235, Martena MJ, Van Der Wielen JC, Rietjens IM, Klerx WN, De Groot HN, Konings EJ..</ref> However, not all of this is due to ''rasa shastra''; some of the heavy metal content is likely due only to unintentional contamination. And, these are not just trivial amounts of toxins that are say slightly over the legal limit &mdash; '''Ayurvedic medicine was associated with lead poisoning in 5 US states''' between 2000 and 2003.<ref>[https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5326a3.htm Lead Poisoning Associated with Ayurvedic Medications &mdash; Five States, 2000-2003] July 9, 2004 / 53(26);582-584 ''MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report)''.</ref>

Ayurvedic practitioners opposed a global ban on mercury trading on the grounds that the element is a very important component of Ayurveda; some went as far as to say that Ayurveda "may collapse" if the ban goes through.<ref name=toi>Swati Chandra. [https://web.archive.org/web/20131114152137/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-02-06/varanasi/36948730_1_rasa-shastra-mercury-ayurvedic-medicine Mercury Ban may Hit Ayurveda.] ''The Times of India''. (Feb 6, 2013, 05.51AM IST). Archived from the original on November 14, 2013.</ref>

===Herbal medicine===
{{main|Herbal supplement}}
Ayurvedic medicine promotes the use of unproven and sometimes toxic plants. Toxic plants include [[birthwort]] (''Aristolochia indica''),<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190219065722/http://www.ayushveda.com/herbs/aristolochia-indiaca.htm Aristolochia indica]{{sic}} ''Ayushveda'' (archived from February 19, 2019).</ref> [[betelnut]] (''Areca catechu''),<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20111216115521/http://www.satveda.com/betel-nut.html Betel Nut (Areca catechuv)]{{sic}} ''Satveda''. Archived from the original on December 16, 2011.</ref> and [[madder root]] (''Rubia tinctorum'').<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20190929233529/http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-herbs/manjishta.html Manjishta] ''iLoveIndia.com'' (archived from September 29, 2019).</ref>

Some herbal medicines used in Ayurveda can be efficacious for some conditions. These include [[basil]] (''tulsi''),<ref>[https://examine.com/supplements/holy-basil/ Holy Basil] Examine.com</ref> [[turmeric]],<ref>[https://examine.com/supplements/turmeric/ Turmeric] Examine.com</ref> ''[[Aloe vera]]'',<ref>[https://examine.com/supplements/aloe-vera/ Aloe vera] Examine.com</ref> and curcumin (derived from turmeric).<ref>[https://examine.com/supplements/curcumin/ Curcumin] Examine.com</ref>

===Urine therapy===
{{main|Urine therapy}}
In Ayurveda, drinking urine (whether human or animal) is considered to be an effective treatment.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070715175059/http://www.agamayoga.com/articles/amaroli.htm Drink To Your Health — Urine Therapy] ''Agama Yoga'' (archived from July 15, 2007).</ref><ref>[http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report-could-morarji-desai-have-been-right-1820051 Could Morarji Desai have been right? Businessman Jagadish Burani claims, with evidence, that urine therapy can cure even terminal cancer patients.] by Deepthi MR (8 Apr 2013-04:10am) ''DNA''.</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4592608/India-makes-cola-from-cow-urine.html India makes cola from cow urine: To millions of devout Hindus, it's the real thing: a cola made from the urine of India's sacred cows.] by Dean Nelson (3:39PM GMT 11 Feb 2009) ''The Telegraph''.</ref>

==See also==
*[[Asbestos]]
*[[Siddha medicine]]

==External links==
*[http://www.ayurveda.hu/api/API-Vol-1.pdf Official Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia.] Scientific analysis of Ayurveda-related plans and preparations.
*[http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6133a1.htm?s_cid=mm6133a1_x Lead Poisoning in Pregnant Women Who Used Ayurvedic Medications from India] — New York City, 2011–2012
*[http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5326a3.htm#tab Lead Poisoning Associated with Ayurvedic Medications] — Five States, 2000--2003
*[http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6432a6.htm Lead Poisoning and Anemia Associated with Use of Ayurvedic Medications Purchased on the Internet] — Wisconsin, 2015
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20191001140942/https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/use-caution-ayurvedic-products Use Caution With Ayurvedic Products]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091019155816/https://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js7918e/3.2.html Ayurvedic medicines and heavy metals] WHO Drug Information Vol. 19, No. 3, 2005 (archived from October 19, 2009)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304220326/https://a816-health30ssl.nyc.gov/sites/NYCHAN/Lists/AlertUpdateAdvisoryDocuments/Ayurvedic_Han_12122012.pdf Lead Poisonings in Children  Associated With Some Ayurvedic Medications from India] New York City Department of Health And Mental Hygiene (archived from March 25, 2017)
*[http://www.jhoonline.org/content/4/1/51 Ayurvedic herbal medicine and lead poisoning]
*[https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0009922814553397 Ayurvedic Medicine Use and Lead Poisoning in a Child: A Continued Concern in the United States]
*[http://skepdic.com/ayurvedic.html Skeptic's Dictionary entry]
*[http://www.apologeticsindex.org/a111.html Apologetics Index]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20080125183251/http:/www.baskeptics.org/chopra.htm Bay Area Skeptics on Ayurvedic medicine] (archived from January 25, 2008)

==Notes==
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==References==
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[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
[[Category:Energy therapy]]
[[Category:Herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Indian medicine| ]]
[[Category:Orientalist woo]]

Categories: Alternative medicine, Energy therapy, Herbal medicine, Indian medicine, Orientalist woo