The Use and Safety of Non-Allopathic Indian Medicines

Abstract

Non-allopathic Indian medicines, referred to elsewhere in the world as complementary and alternative medicine have gathered increasing recognition in recent years with regard to both treatment options and health hazards. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and homeopathy are practiced in India as non-allopathic systems. These systems comprise a wide range of therapeutic approaches that include diet, herbs, metals, minerals, precious stones and their combinations as well as non-drug therapies. Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine in the world and by far the most commonly practiced form of non-allopathic medicine in India, particularly in rural India, where 70% of the population lives. The difference between modern medicine and these systems stems from the fact that the knowledge base of many of the above systems, unlike Western medicine, is based on years of experience, observations, empiricism and intuition and has been handed down generations both through word of mouth and treatises. The focus on non-allopathic systems of medicine in India can be attributed to various causes including a need to revive a rich tradition, the dependency of 80% of the country's population on these drugs, their easy availability, increasing worldwide use of these medicines, the lack of focused concerted scientific research and the abuse of these systems by quacks. Elsewhere, the increasing use of herbal products worldwide and the growth of the herbal product industry has led to increasing concern regarding their safety. The challenges in these non-allopathic systems relate to the patient, physician, regulatory authorities, the abuse/misuse of these medicines, quality and purity issues. Safety monitoring is mandated by a changing ecological environment, the use of insecticides, new manufacturing techniques, an as yet unregulated pharmaceutical industry, the availability of combinations of herbs over the counter and not mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts, and the need to look at the active principles of these medicines as potential chemotherapeutic agents. The Indian traditional medicine industry has come a long way from the times when it was considered unnecessary to test these formulations prior to use, to the introduction of Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines for the industry. However, we still have a long way to go. The conflict between the traditional practitioners and the purists demanding evidence of safety and efficacy needs to be addressed. There is an urgent need for the practitioners of the allopathic and non-allopathic systems to work together to optimise the risk-benefit profile of these medicines.

Barriers to Free Antiretroviral Treatment Access for Female Sex Workers in Chennai, India

“…There is a common belief among wide segments of the Indian population that alternative medicines with virtually no side effects can cure chronic diseases that are not cured by allopathic medicine. [32][33][34] Thus, education about ART should include accurate and unbiased information from trusted sources about what alternative medicines can and cannot do, particularly in the face of hyperbolic claims promoted by some alternative medicine providers in India who stand to profit from PLHIV. 35,36 Recently, the Indian government announced a ban on advertisements that offer cures for HIV infection.…”

Efficacy and safety of panchgavya GHRIT along with flunarizine in prophylaxis for migraine patients: a comparitive study

“…[27][28][29] Ayurveda is a traditional medical system used by a majority of India's 1.1 billion population. 30 Though Ayurvedic therapy is popular among migraine sufferers, there are very few studies which have compared pharmacotherapy pertaining to combination of two lines of treatment aiming for the holistic view of treatment with aim of increasing compliance ,increasing potency of drugs and reducing side effects caused by allopathic medicines when administered alone. Migraine was distinguished from common headache by Tissot in 1783 for the first time who ascribed it to a supra-orbital neuralgia provoked by reflexes from the stomach, gall bladder or uterus.…”

Buyers Beware: Lead Poisoning due to Ayurvedic Medicine

“…6 Various types of Ayurvedic medicines are available, but one of importance for this topic is Rasa Shastra, which is the practice of adding metals and minerals to herbal medicines. 7 Two recent studies examined the content of Ayurvedic medicines available in Boston-area stores and from Internet retailers. Nearly 20 % of the products tested contained lead, and the majority of them exceeded the maximum tolerable daily intake.…”