The Shadowy Side of Tradition: Investigating Risks in Ayush Medicines
A recent study published in Frontiers in Gastroenterology has brought to light a concerning trend: a significant number of patients presenting with liver damage are linked to the apply of Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Siddha, Unani, and Folk-Traditional Medicinal products. Approximately 40 percent of patients in the study developed acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) after using these alternative medicines, with a mortality rate of 39 percent among that group. Overall mortality across all patients studied was around 22 percent.
Unveiling the Culprits: Contamination and Unregulated Practices
Researchers, led by Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, analyzed a large dataset and found a disturbing pattern. The study wasn’t focused on inherent toxicity of traditional systems, but rather on what was *inside* the products. A key finding was the prevalence of unlabelled medicines – products sold without ingredient lists, batch numbers, or manufacturer details. Mortality rates dramatically increased with the number of unlabelled products consumed, rising to roughly 43 percent for those using three or more.
Laboratory testing revealed widespread contamination. Mercury levels exceeded World Health Organisation limits in 34 percent of products, cadmium in 25 percent, arsenic in 21 percent, and lead in 14 percent. Siddha products showed particularly high levels of lead (56.2 percent) and arsenic (62.5 percent). Exposure to cadmium demonstrated the strongest correlation with severe outcomes, with 76 percent of patients exposed to unsafe levels developing ACLF.
Hidden Dangers: Pharmaceutical Drugs and Hepatotoxic Plants
The problems didn’t stop at heavy metals. Researchers also detected hidden pharmaceutical drugs in 27.7 percent of the products, including corticosteroids, antibiotics, sedatives, and nimesulide – a painkiller restricted in several countries due to liver safety concerns. The central government banned nimesulide formulations above 100 mg in December 2025, citing health risks.
Beyond adulteration, the study identified plant ingredients known to be harmful to the liver in over 40 percent of the products. These included Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy), Plumbago zeylanica (Chitrak), and Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). Researchers emphasized that “natural” doesn’t automatically equate to “harmless,” and biologically active compounds can cause liver injury regardless of their origin.
The Regulatory Landscape and Future Challenges
The findings highlight significant gaps in the regulation of traditional and herbal medicines. Unlike modern pharmaceuticals, many alternative medicines enter the market with fewer testing requirements. This allows contamination, adulteration, and undisclosed ingredients to go undetected. Classical regulated Ayurveda formulations actually demonstrated a higher contamination rate (34.1 percent) than unlabelled products (23.1 percent), suggesting that regulatory classification doesn’t guarantee pharmaceutical purity.
The Ministry of Ayush has implemented a three-tier pharmacovigilance network and launched the Ayush Suraksha Portal to track adverse drug reactions and misleading advertisements. However, reporting remains a challenge, as patients often don’t connect their symptoms to the medicines they’ve taken and typically seek care in hospitals rather than returning to the practitioner who prescribed the alternative medicine.
What Does This Indicate for the Future?
The increasing popularity of traditional medicine, coupled with inadequate regulation, presents a growing public health concern. Strengthening quality control, implementing batch-level testing, and enforcing proper labelling are crucial steps. The need for greater transparency and traceability within the supply chain is paramount.
Experts suggest a shift towards a more rigorous regulatory framework, similar to that governing pharmaceutical drugs, including extensive pre-clinical testing, clinical trials, and post-market surveillance. This would require significant investment in infrastructure and personnel, but it’s essential to protect public health.
The study also underscores the importance of educating both practitioners and patients about the potential risks associated with alternative medicines. Patients should be encouraged to report any adverse reactions and to seek medical attention promptly if they experience symptoms of liver damage.
FAQ: Ayush Medicines and Liver Health
Q: What is acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF)?
A: ACLF is a complex syndrome where a patient with existing chronic liver disease suddenly develops severe liver failure.
Q: What were the key contaminants found in the studied products?
A: Heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lead) and undeclared pharmaceutical drugs were commonly found.
Q: Is Ayurveda inherently unsafe?
A: The study doesn’t indict Ayurveda as a system, but rather highlights issues with unregulated manufacturing practices and product quality.
Q: What is the role of the Ayush Suraksha Portal?
A: It’s an IT-enabled platform for real-time tracking of adverse drug reactions and misleading advertisements related to Ayush medicines.
Pro Tip
Always purchase Ayush medicines from reputable sources and check for proper labelling, including ingredient lists, batch numbers, and manufacturer details. If you experience any unusual symptoms after taking an Ayush medicine, consult a healthcare professional immediately.
Explore further: Read ThePrint’s report on misleading Ayush advertisements and adverse reactions.
Do you have concerns about the safety of traditional medicines? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
