Ayurveda

Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic medicine, is a system of traditional medicine native to India. It uses a range of treatments to encourage health and wellbeing, including panchakarma (“5 actions”). Panchakarma treatments may be harmful when performed by an inexperienced practitioner, so it is important to ask any practitioner to explain their qualifications and experience.

Ayurvedic techniques#

Ayurvedic care can include a variety of approaches:

• Herbal medicine, sometimes combining herbs with metals, minerals or gems (known as rasa shastra medicines). These may take the form of pellets, powders or scented preparations.
• Panchakarma (“5 actions”) — a specialised treatment made up of five therapies, which can include emesis (induced vomiting), enemas and blood-letting, intended to detoxify the body and balance the doshas (in Ayurveda, the body’s three vital energies).
• Yoga, massage, meditation, breathing exercises and acupuncture (practised by some practitioners).
• Sound therapy, including the use of mantras.
• Dietary changes.

Ayurveda practitioners believe their approach can help with a range of disorders, including anxiety, asthma, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, digestive problems, eczema, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and stress.

Special considerations — herbs and rasa shastra medicines#

Alongside diet, herbal medicine is central to Ayurvedic treatment. Some important safety issues to consider include:

• Herbal medicines can be as potent as pharmaceutical drugs and should be treated with the same caution.
• The belief that herbs are naturally safe and harmless may encourage inappropriate use or overdose.
• Herbal products can still cause side effects, interact with other drugs or treatments, or contain harmful ingredients that are not listed on the label.

Where complementary medicines are regulated, products are assessed for quality and safety, and approved products carry an identifying code on the label. Many traditional or imported products are not assessed in this way. There have been reports of some unregulated Ayurvedic medicines that contain ingredients classed as poisons, which may cause serious side effects.

Be cautious about complementary medicines that are not regulated where you live, including those bought from overseas or over the internet, as these are often not subject to the same laws or quality controls. Most complementary medicines have not been tested in pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers or children and may be harmful to them.

Please note that some Ayurvedic practitioners may consider certain toxic ingredients to be safe. Ask for a full list of the ingredients in any herbal medicine, and if in doubt, check with your doctor. Cases of lead poisoning have been reported in people taking imported Ayurvedic treatments. If you are given a preparation by a friend or relative and cannot identify its origin or ingredients, it is safer not to take it.

Tell your doctor#

Tell your doctor about any Ayurvedic treatments you are having. This helps reduce the risk of adverse reactions. Never stop taking your conventional medicine or change the dose without the knowledge and approval of your doctor.

Key points#

• Panchakarma treatments may be harmful when performed by an inexperienced practitioner.
• Herbal and rasa shastra medicines can be as potent as pharmaceutical drugs and may contain harmful or undisclosed ingredients.
• Unregulated or imported Ayurvedic medicines have been linked to serious side effects, including cases of lead poisoning.
• Tell your doctor about any Ayurvedic treatments you are having to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.

Where to get help#