Abstract

ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECT DUE TO HEAVY METALS AND THEIR AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT

Pal Satendra*, Tiwari R. C., Dikshit Manisha, Singh Anoop Kumar and Sharma Ved Bhushan

ABSTRACT

Excessive amount of heavy metals are very harmful for our body. Lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, copper and zinc are some common heavy metals. These are commonly found in soil, air and food. These are responsible for many neurological and skin diseases. Due to excessive industrial emission and excessive use of pesticides these heavy metals are contaminating water, air and soil. Lead is commonly found in paint & food container. Cigarette contains arsenic and cadmium. Some sea food like fish contains mercury, arsenic and
cadmium. So these are the commonest sources of heavy metals for human. Long exposure to these heavy metals acts as Dushi visha in our body & due to this human faces many dangerous diseases. Some heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury and copper are described in Ayurveda and their hazards in state of impurities. After purification heavy metals are used in ayurvedic formulations. Shodhna chikitsa is mentioned in Ayurveda for theses heavy metal hazards like vamna, virechna, raktmokshna etc. Other than this various formulations of agada & ghrit are also found.

Keywords: Heavy metals, Dushi visha, Shodhna chikitsa, Agada, Ghrita.