Although Ayurvedic medicine has been discussed in a number of research papers, only a limited number of clinical trials have been performed to study its effectiveness and safety. Currently available studies and research papers report Ayurvedic therapies as effective. However, studies conducted on the safety of Ayurvedic medicine have reported the following:
- Some Ayurvedic products may contain metals such as mercury, lead and arsenic that cause harm.
- A case report published in 2015 reported an increased blood lead level in a 64-year-old woman after using an Ayurvedic preparation bought online.
- A survey published in 2015 reported that about 40% of the individuals on Ayurvedic preparations showed elevated blood lead and mercury levels.
- Some studies suggest that Ayurvedic preparations have the potential to cause arsenic poisoning in some people (rare).
All Ayurvedic treatments should be performed by or under the supervision of a trained Ayurveda practitioner.
