Ayurveda

About Ayurveda

Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India, which uses a range of treatments, including panchakarma (‘5 actions’), yoga, massage, acupuncture and herbal medicine, to encourage health and wellbeing.

Panchakarma treatments may be harmful when performed by an inexperienced practitioner. Ask them to explain their qualifications and experience.

A range of Ayurvedic therapies

Ayurvedic techniques include:

• dietary changes
• herbal medicine, including combining herbs with metals, minerals or gems (known as rasha shastra medicines) that can take the form of pellets, tablets and powders of various colours and scents)
• acupuncture (practiced by some practitioners)
• massage
• meditation
• breathing exercises
• panchakarma (‘5 actions’) – a specialised treatment consisting of 5 therapies including emesis (vomiting), enemas and blood-letting, which are meant to detoxify the body and balance the doshas (in Ayurveda, the body’s 3 vital energies)
• sound therapy, including the use of mantras
• yoga.

Ayurveda claims to treat a range of disorders

Ayurveda practitioners believe their approach is effective in treating a range of disorders, including:

• anxiety
• asthma
• arthritis
• digestive problems
• eczema
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol levels
• rheumatoid arthritis
• stress.

Special considerations – herbs and rasa shastra medicines

Alongside diet, herbal medicine is central to Ayurveda treatment. Safety issues to consider include:

• Herbal medicines can be as potent as pharmaceutical drugs and should be treated with the same caution and respect. The belief that herbs are safe and harmless may encourage inappropriate use or overdose.
• Before buying or taking a complementary medicine, check the label for an ‘AUST L’ (listed) or ‘AUST R’ (registered) code. This means they meet Australian safety standards designed to protect your health.
• Ayurvedic medicines that do not have an ‘AUST L’ (listed) or ‘AUST R’ (registered) code on the label are not registered with the TGA. There have been reports of some unlisted and unregistered Ayurvedic medicines being sold in Victoria that contain ingredients classed as poisons in Australia. These ingredients may cause serious side-effects.
• Avoid purchasing or using complementary medicines not registered with the TGA, including those obtained from overseas.
• Most complementary medicines have not been tested on pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers or children and may be harmful.
• Complementary medicines such as herbs can be bought without prescription. However, they may still have side effects, interact with other drugs or treatments, or contain harmful ingredients not shown on the label.
• Products from other countries that are sold over the Internet or brought into Australia from overseas are not subject to the same laws or regulations as those sold in Australia. Please note that Ayurvedic practitioners may consider some toxic ingredients to be safe. Ask for a full list of ingredients of all herbal medicines. If in doubt, check with your doctor. Cases of lead poisoning as a result of taking Ayurvedic treatments imported from India have been reported in Victoria.
• If you are given a preparation by a friend or relative and you cannot identify the origin or ingredients, it is safer not to take it.
• Tell your doctor about the Ayurvedic treatments you are having. This will help to reduce the risk of adverse reactions.
• Never stop taking your conventional medicine or alter the dose without the knowledge and approval of your doctor.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Australasian Association of Ayurveda Tel. 0425 558 399