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Ayurvedic medicine is a system of alternative medicine that descends from ancient medical techniques of Hindu society in Ancient India. There are three principal early texts on Ayurveda: the Charaka Samhita, the Sushruta Samhita, and the Bhela Samhita. Ayurveda 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 As such, it is open to the criticism that its conceptual basis is obsolete and that its contemporary practitioners have not taken account of the developments of modern medicine.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.[note 1] 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 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.

## Contents

* 1 Treatments
* 1.1 Panchakarma
* 1.2 Bloodletting
* 1.2.1 Leeching
* 1.3 Vomit therapy
* 1.4 Heavy metals/rasa shastra
* 1.5 Herbal medicine
* 1.6 Urine therapy
* 2 See also
* 3 External links
* 4 Notes
* 5 References

## Treatments[edit]

### Panchakarma[edit]

Panchakarma is an Ayurvedic treatment which supposedly clears the body of toxins and balances the body's "energy" (whatever that means). It's recommended to be done every year as a "tune up".[1] It consists of five parts: Vomiting, purging, enema, herbal inhalation therapy, and bloodletting,[2] as well as a "pre-treatment" consisting of oil massage and essential oil ingestion.[1][3] 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 prana, and the bloodletting "purifies" the blood and clears it of toxins (again).

### Bloodletting[edit]

See the main article on this topic: Bloodletting

Bloodletting is used for excessive drowsiness, baldness, urticaria, rash, eczema, acne, scabies, leucoderma, chronic itching and hives, enlarged liver, spleen, gout, tumors, and genital infections.[4][5][6]

#### Leeching[edit]

In Ayurvedic medicine leeching is thought to be good for baldness.[7] According to one pro-Ayurveda source, "Ayurvedic medicine has had an obsession with these creatures for centuries."[8]

### Vomit therapy[edit]

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."[1] It has been recommended for Kapha Dosha (qualities reflecting water and earth[9]) disorders, including "bronchial asthma, allergic bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, migraine, hyperacidity, indigestion, anorexia, obesity, overweight, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, acne vulgaris, psoriasis, eczema, urticaria".[10] Yes, vomiting has been claimed to prevent anorexia!

### Heavy metals/rasa shastra[edit]

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,[11] lead and mercury are thought to be effective remedies. Accordingly, about 20% of Ayurvedic herbs sold on the Internet (by both Indian and American companies) contain dangerous amounts of substances such as lead, arsenic, and mercury.[12] 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.[13] In another study, about 20% of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese remedies sold in the Netherlands also contained dangerous amounts of heavy metals.[14] 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 -- Ayurvedic medicine was associated with lead poisoning in 5 US states between 2000 and 2003.[15]

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.[16]

### Herbal medicine[edit]

See the main article on this topic: Herbal supplement

Ayurvedic medicine promotes the use of unproven and sometimes toxic plants. Toxic plants include birthwort (Aristolochia indica),[17] betelnut (Areca catechu),[18] and madder root (Rubia tinctorum).[19]

Some herbal medicines used in Ayurveda can be efficacious for some conditions. These include basil (tulsi),[20] turmeric,[21] Aloe vera,[22] and curcumin (derived from turmeric).[23]

### Urine therapy[edit]

See the main article on this topic: Urine therapy

In Ayurveda, drinking urine (whether human or animal) is considered to be an effective treatment.[24][25][26]

## See also[edit]

* Asbestos
* Siddha medicine

## External links[edit]

* Official Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia. Scientific analysis of Ayurveda-related plans and preparations.
* Lead Poisoning in Pregnant Women Who Used Ayurvedic Medications from India — New York City, 2011–2012
* Lead Poisoning Associated with Ayurvedic Medications — Five States, 2000--2003
* Lead Poisoning and Anemia Associated with Use of Ayurvedic Medications Purchased on the Internet — Wisconsin, 2015
* Use Caution With Ayurvedic Products
* Ayurvedic medicines and heavy metals WHO Drug Information Vol. 19, No. 3, 2005 (archived from October 19, 2009)
* 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)
* Ayurvedic herbal medicine and lead poisoning
* Ayurvedic Medicine Use and Lead Poisoning in a Child: A Continued Concern in the United States

* Skeptic's Dictionary entry
* Apologetics Index
* Bay Area Skeptics on Ayurvedic medicine (archived from January 25, 2008)

## Notes[edit]

1. ↑ Quite like humorism, really, and both consider cupping a splendid idea, but at least Ayurvedic medicine is not quite as fond of bloodletting.

## References[edit]

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ayurveda -- Panchakarma, holistic-online.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021.
2. ↑ Ayurvedic Medicine: Cancer Natural Ayurvedic Cure
3. ↑ Panchakarma. Chopra Center. Archived from the original on July 6, 2014.
4. ↑ Bloodletting - An Ayurvedic perspective
5. ↑ Raktamokshana(Siraveda & Jalokacharana). Ayurveda Health Clinic. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018.
6. ↑ Bloodletting therapy helps to remove toxins. Allayurveda.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2016.
7. ↑ Ayurveda for Alopecia. AltMD. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016.
8. ↑ Ayurvedic Detox: Leeches Help You Live Longer, Reenita's wisdom. (2008). Archived from the original on October 7, 2017.
9. ↑ The three doshas: The keys to your individual nature. Eat, Taste, Heal. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021.
10. ↑ A study on Vasantika Vamana (therapeutic emesis in spring season) -- 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.
11. ↑ http://www.academia.edu/1439765/Arsenical_Compounds_in_Ayurveda_Medicine-_A_Prospective_analysis]
12. ↑ Study finds toxins in some herbal medicines, Liz Szabo, USAToday.
13. ↑ 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.
14. ↑ 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..
15. ↑ Lead Poisoning Associated with Ayurvedic Medications -- Five States, 2000-2003 July 9, 2004 / 53(26);582-584 MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report).
16. ↑ Swati Chandra. Mercury Ban may Hit Ayurveda. The Times of India. (Feb 6, 2013, 05.51AM IST). Archived from the original on November 14, 2013.
17. ↑ Aristolochia indica[sic] Ayushveda (archived from February 19, 2019).
18. ↑ Betel Nut (Areca catechuv)[sic] Satveda. Archived from the original on December 16, 2011.
19. ↑ Manjishta iLoveIndia.com (archived from September 29, 2019).
20. ↑ Holy Basil Examine.com
21. ↑ Turmeric Examine.com
22. ↑ Aloe vera Examine.com
23. ↑ Curcumin Examine.com
24. ↑ Drink To Your Health — Urine Therapy Agama Yoga (archived from July 15, 2007).
25. ↑ 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.
26. ↑ 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.

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Articles about alternative medicine methods

Alternative medicine: |  Magnetic therapy • Radionics • Ear candling • Qi • Hypnosis • Hair analysis • Magnetic field therapy • Dental woo • Trepanation • DMSO • Placebo effect • Traumeel • Muti • Yoga • Unani • Meridians • Homotoxicology • Iridology • Kinoki Foot Pads • Resveratrol • Emotional Freedom Technique • Curandero • Traditional Chinese medicine • Bach flower remedies • Vitalism • Biological medicine • Bismacine • Weapon salve • Cupping • Consegrity • Folk remedy • Enema • Tachyon energy • Calcium • Salt lamp • Science-Based Medicine • What's The Harm? • People Will Talk • Dianetics • Ear stapling • Hildegardian medicine • Panacea • Waste analysis • Psychic surgery • Vibroacoustic therapy • Heroic medicine • Sound healing • Crystal healing • Natural vision correction • Lie detection • LSD • MDMA • Qigong • Fire therapy • Sedona Method • Placentophagy • Ionised jewellery • Functional neurology • Vagina steaming • Feces therapy • PH woo • Wilk vs. AMA • Kumdang-2 • Buteyko method • Faith healing • Tobacco smoking • Dr. Bronner's Soap • Water Cure • Copromancy • Patent medicine • Narconon • Steeping • Singing bowl therapy • Immune system boosting • Jesus Shot • Kacper Postawski • Asbestos • NoFap • MetaMed • Squirrel diet • Heilpraktiker • ORMUS • Young Living • Sauna • WOMBAT • IRenew • Cure for Rabies • Dynamiclear • Vereniging tegen de Kwakzalverij • Biofeedback • Facilitated communication • Alternative medicine • Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica • Healing • Neurolink • Clickbait • Love Has Won • Rumpology • Mitochondria • Bates eye method • Pyradyne • Alternative medical schools • Get The Tea • Copper bracelet • Helminthic therapy • Homeophone • Liste d'études scientifiquement contrôlées en double aveugle qui ont démontré de façon concluante l'efficacité d'homéopathie • Iron • Stainless steel soap • Med beds • Shoo!Tag • Alternative medicine bingo • Conversion therapy •
| Lists: |  List of scientifically controlled double blind studies which have conclusively demonstrated the efficacy of homeopathy • Naturopathic medicine laws by state • Encyclopedia of American Loons • Lista de estudios a ciegas y controlados científicamente que han demostrado de manera concluyente la eficacia de la homeopatía • Alternative Medicine Education • List of websites owned by Mike Adams • Lista degli studi a doppio cieco scientificamente controllati che hanno dimostrato in modo convincente l'efficacia dell'omeopatia • List of medicinal plants •
| Cancer woo: |  Shark cartilage • Oxygen therapy • Precious Metals Nano Water • Oil pulling • Alkaline diet • Kombucha • Shiitake mushroom • Laetrile • Orgone energy • Chlorophyll • Orgone accumulator • Color therapy • Iscador • Urine therapy • Orthomolecular medicine • Cantron • Avastin • Green tea • Candida • Gerson Therapy • Ellagic acid • Miracle Mineral Supplement • Sonodynamic therapy • Cancer industry • CANCERactive • Essiac • 187 Fake Cancer "Cures" Consumers Should Avoid • Agaricus • Activase • Chemotherapy • Breast thermography • Black salve • Tetrasil • Graviola • Theta healing • CBD • Carnivora • Escozine • Colorpuncture • BX Protocol • Apple cider vinegar • Poly-MVA • GcMAF • RGCC test • Cancer Tutor • CRONaxal • Halo biophotonic therapy • Chris Beat Cancer • Turmeric • Cancer Free University • American Anti-Cancer Institute • Jonathan Otto • Scalar wave • Randell Mills • Aromatherapy • Institute for Natural Healing • Barry Lynes • Alan Cantwell • H. L. Newbold • Neurolinguistic programming • Torben Søndergaard • Cancer • Jilly Juice • Tom Bethell •
| Energy therapy: |  The 'Reiki' Factor in The Radiance Technique • Reiki • Chakra • Thought field therapy • Pranic healing • Quantum healing • Subtle energy • Orgone energy • Therapeutic touch •
| Food woo: |  Nutritionist • Kymatika test • Freeganism • Superfoods • Haggis • Green tea • Bovine growth hormone • Microwave oven • Cat food • Raspberry ketone • Juicing • Orthorexia • Fortune cookie • Cayenne pepper • Soylent • Kopi luwak • Raw honey • Apitherapy • Germ theory denialism • Omega-3 • Burusho • Chris Beat Cancer • Turmeric • Salt • Tripe • Vegetarianism • Pork • Water woo • Chocolate • Magnetic water treatment • In vitro meat • Agaricus • Locavore • Cyclamate • Freedom fries • Fast food • RationalWiki diet • Spot reduction • Breastfeeding • Sugar • Bottled water • Pseudovitamin • Coffee • Dietary cholesterol • Humans are herbivores • Veganism • Hydrogen water • Irina Ermakova • Airborne • Center for Science in the Public Interest • Baby eating • Cannibalism • Super Size Me • Wine • Vegan Gains • Sandwich • Bacon • Fish farming • The miracle of honey as an alternative medicine • Food irradiation • Soy boy • Soy boy (português) • Heart Attack Grill • Probiotics • Obesity • Food woo • Udo Pollmer •
| Herbal medicine: |  Naturopathy • A Modern Herbal • Adaptogen • Airborne • Turmeric • St. John's wort • Aristolochia • Grapefruit seed extract • Green tea • Purported legal highs • Legal highs • Essential oil • Ayahuasca • Psilocybin • Homeopathy • Peyote • Coffee • Cannabis • Herbal supplement • Siddha medicine •
| Homeopathy: |  Water memory • Potentization • Biofield flower therapy • Isopathy • Unusual homeopathic remedies • Homeopathy • Proving (homeopathy) • Nosode • Oscillococcinum • Homeopathy in Healthcare: Effectiveness, Appropriateness, Safety, Costs • Vibrational medicine • Homéopathie • Homeopatia • Homeopathy and Its Kindred Delusions • Eclectic medicine • Homeopathy • Individualized Homeopathic Treatment and Fluoxetine for Moderate to Severe Depression • Cell salts • Evidence for the effectiveness of homeopathy • Homöopathie • HeadOn • Sympathetic magic • Frozen • Nyloxin • Charles III •
| Manipulative therapy: |  Massage • Acupuncture • Reflexology • Rolfing • Craniosacral therapy • Osteopathy • Applied kinesiology • Acutonics • Dynastic gymnastics • Alphabiotics • Bloodletting • Dry needling • Chiropractic •
| Mental health woo: |  Autism Research Institute • Chelation therapy • Indigo child • Autism omnibus trial • Lupron therapy • Oxytocin • Thiomersal • Attachment therapy • Dancing mania • Female hysteria • Mass hysteria • Lobotomy • Koro • Self-diagnosis • Pro-ana • Autism One • Aromatherapy • Mental illness denial • Anti-vaccination movement • Church of Scientology • Teal Swan • Neurocore • Matt Walsh • Andrew Tate • Drapetomania • Cassandra affective deprivation disorder •