Ayurveda is an age-old science and traditional Indian system of medicine. Research on Ayurvedic texts has been going on in full swing not only in India but across the whole world. Still a lot of taboo is associated with Ayurveda in the name of its metallic content in the medicines. You go to a doctor and say that you have been taking Ayurvedic medicines for an ailment, the very next moment he will spring up from the chair. He will make you believe that whatever wrong is going on in your body is because of Ayurvedic medicines which contain metallic preparations without even interrogating further or having any knowledge of the science. It is sad but true that we don’t believe in any medicine unless western countries approve it.
Not every Ayurvedic medicine contains metals. Metallurgy has been one of the branches of the big and complex Ayurveda tree. The metals such as cobalt, copper,iron, selenium, zinc, etc. are the essential part of some enzymes and proteins called metalloenzymes and metalloproteins, and actively involved in the body metabolisms. The ancient Ayurvedacharyas knew that these metals are therein the body and hence used metallic preparations to treat many diseases.
It is true that Ayurvedic medicines known as bhasmas are used in many chronic diseases and they have excellent therapeutic uses. These bhasmas work wonders only if they are purified as per the procedures mentioned in classical texts. The metals must undergo various heating and cooling cycles. But many pharmaceutical companies in order to churn out money, skip many of the procedures and as a result an impure formulation is brought out in the market. Poor quality control check ups further allow these medicines in the market. So, it is advisable not to self medicate yourself with Ayurvedic medicines by buying them over the counter. An Ayurvedic physician knows which medicine of which pharmacy will be of premium quality. There is no point in discrediting the entire ancient Indian system of medicine because of few unscrupulous practices in manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies.
Lead, mercury. Arsenic are present in many of our everyday foods. In case of foods and herbal products, their presence can occur because they are naturally growing in the soil, water and air. Both these elements are taken up by the plants because of human activity and pollution. Contamination of manufacturing process can further cause it. Toxicity is the result of too much of the specific form of metal being ingested over time. Certain medicines in Ayurveda cannot be taken after a short time. But the patient does not follow up with the doctor and instead keeps on buying the same medicines from the stores and keeps on taking for months which could lead to toxicity.
Metals are an integral part of the treatment be it any science. Copper, zinc, sulphur compounds have been used in Modern science as well. The most common metals and alloys used in implants include stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy, titanium, and nickel-titanium alloy. Other metals, such as gold, platinum, silver, iridium,tantalum, and tungsten, are also common in many medical devices. Medicinal chemistry is the branch which is constantly trying to reach to answers why and how metals were used in ancient times to cure diseases. Many researches are being carried out worldwide on metals to cure cancer like deadly diseases who secure has still not been found. The anti-cancer activities of the few metals like arsenic, antimony, bismuth, gold, iron, rhodium, titanium,and platinum has been carried out since few years.
There is a need of conducting extensive research in this area to establish appropriate formulation and application of different metals and metal-based nano materials to get the desired results with least side effects.