Woman claims lead poisoning from Maharishi herbal product

March 11, 2008

Regardless of the particular details of this case it points out the

need for a higher standard of medicine production, around the world.

these types of cases are slowly erroding faith in traditional

medicines. I was recently at an International traditional medical

conference in Singapore and this subject was widely discussed. It is a

limiting factor for the spread of Chinese and Ayurveda medicines in

many countries where people are afraid to take medicines from China

and India. Japan has recently banned all food products and medicines

from China until these products can be demonstrated to be safe.

Already because of the heavy metal issue it is impossible to get a

Japanese patient to take Ayurvedic medicines unless they are

manufactured in Japan. Certain medicines like triphala are slowly

being introduced there but people are very careful to verify the

source. In the USA almost any Chinese product is being looked at with

suspicion.

This is a shame and a problem that only the Chinese and Indians can

solve themselves. When Vaidyas and patients demand certifiably safe

medicines, only then can medicines can be taken without concern. One

of the biggest problems is the middle men in the trading of herbs and

other medicinal substances who are selling these substances without

knowing the true source of these products, trading of herbs often goes

through many hands but drug manufacturers can not be let off the hook

since it is their responsibility to make sure that the items that

they use in their medicines are safe. I have heard that some of the

big companies are doing the best they can to insure safety in medicines.

The state of the medicine industry throughout the world is disgraceful.

March 12, 2008

That is why I put " heavy metal " . There are very elaborate ayurvedic alchemical

tests to determine if a metal is properly purified/transformed. If these tests

are being done by the modern companies or if they all follow the ancient

principles to the letter I do not know. I do know that MAPI uses a modern method

to speed up the manufacturing of Loha (iron) bhasma. I dont know for certain if

they employ outside companies for making some of the more elaborate bhasma, but

I think they do. If they test it correctly that is the question. However, one

IMPORTANT point has to be made here, there is WIDESPREAD lead pollution in

India.

http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2002/7-9/62-63_lead_poisoning.shtml

That is why I always prefer to purchase products where the raw materials and

finished products are extensively tested. MAPI has ISO certification and states

" every batch of herbs is also tested for heavy metal contaminants that can occur

accidentally by air pollution from faraway cities. Biological Testing -- Natural

farming or harvesting can involve biological risk. Our herbs are thoroughly

tested after processing to screen out any possible biological contaminants.

Independent Testing -- Upon arrival in the United States (and Europe), each

batch of finished products is tested by reputed independent laboratories to

exceed all western standards for purity and freshness. I trust MAPI more than

any other ayurvedic company when it comes to the standard of raw materials and

testing. You can follow a more detailed discussion thread at

FairfieldLife/message/169151

__________________

if we take any bhasma of the metal, it should be transformed so that it is no

longer like the metal and the metal should no longer be poisonous.

So one should not get heavy metal poioning from bhasma if it is made properly.

March 12, 2008

its a no-brainer

garbhapal ras contains lead (naga bhasma), as well as cinnabar

(mercury sulfide) and tin

some practitioners prescribe it in pregnancy to prevent miscarriage

because apparently they can't think of any safer options

don't these practitioners know that the brain and nervous system is

the primary target of lead intoxication in children? and in a

developing fetus??

for me, it is further indication to be _very_ careful with certain

Ayurvedic products and bhasmas in particular

to date, there haven't been any clinical trials on bhasmas containing

heavy metals, but case reports don't lend much confidence

i know i won't win any popularity contests, but as i have stated

before, the tradition of using metals in ayurveda isn't as ancient

and previously widespread as many people believe, and until such time

that we have _conclusive_ evidence of their safety they should be

assiduously avoided, especially by high risk individuals including

pregnant women and children

for example, there are many safe herbal options to prevent

miscarriage, such as shatavari, peony, vitex etc, not to mention

lifestyle interventions such inverted yoga positions, bedrest, and a

nourishing diet

if these don't work, then why should we try to save a non-viable

pregnancy? and with lead? even medical treatments are safer!

such practices will continue to blacken the good name of ayurveda

Caldecott

todd

www.toddcaldecott.com

_______________

> Re: Woman claims lead poisoning from Maharishi herbal product

> Who should we believe?

March 12, 2008

What I want to know though is, I am certain that Vaidyas were not fools. I mean

to say rishis etc the fore fathers.

So I know that they burn the metals with salt and herbs.

I thought that The bhasmas would not contain metal in metal form after being

burnt for long.

I thought the burning transformed them.

.....................................................

garbhapal ras contains lead (naga bhasma), as well as cinnabar

(mercury sulfide) and tin

some practitioners prescribe it in pregnancy to prevent miscarriage

because apparently they can't think of any safer options

don't these practitioners know that the brain and nervous system is

the primary target of lead intoxication in children? and in a

developing fetus??

March 12, 2008

I know that there is lead poisoning in India, but do you think it effects forest

and places with less population - himalayan areas?

Is it safe to get herbs from people who still get them from forests.

I have been thinking about this a lot and shifting to using many western herbs

due to the fact that I do not have a lab to test herbs!

March 12, 2008

Another thing about India is that the sellers are often doing horrible things.

Where we used to buy rations - rice sugar etc they used to mix sand and stones

and other garbage into the rations to make their supplies go further.

So one time when I bought two cups of sugar there was probably 1/2 cup of junk

in it. This could easily be seen due to the small quantity that I purchased.

I also one time sifted brahmi that I bought in Indi and I found that there was

a lot of dust and even threads etc in it that could not be seen when it was in

the glass container.

I only noticed it after sifting.

I now have a few sources that I trust, but even still, there is no way to know

for sure without labtesting for heavy metals. The herbs are clean in all other

ways but how do we tell for sure if there are chemicals or heavy metals.

This is a big issue.

I often feel very sad about the corruption that exists in a ocuntry where many

freedom fighters have lost their lives so that people could have freedom.

This corruption is something that I always pray will end.

Elizabeth Anne Hall <lizahallny wrote: