Fumed by the misrepresentation of the industry by some section of the media, which claimed that herbal medicines containing aristolochic acid pose a risk of causing kidney failure and bladder cancer, Ayurvedic Drug Manufactures Association (ADMA) has asked the Department of Ayush to issue a press notice immediately refuting the same.

In a detailed representation sent to Anil Kumar, secretary Ayush department, the association stressed that such an allegation have been levelled upon the industry only with an intention to tarnish the image of traditional medicinal systems such as ayurveda etc. It mentions that the said articles do not mention the dose of aristolochic acid (AA) and duration of intake that leads to these fatal ailments as these factors may have strong impact on the results.

ADMA informed that in the ayurvedic system of medicine, isvari or eswari aristolochia indica and itamari (A. bracteatum) are the two plants in the ancient literature which are known to possess aristolochic acid. Wherein use of aristolochia indica is recommended only for short durations and is indicated in fevers, as a pain killer in arthritic pains and to induce labour pains, and it is also indicated in snake poisons. However the dose of the same compared to the dose of routine herbal power is very low i.e. 0.625 to 1.875 gm of whole plant powder compared to dose of routine herbal powders which varies from 3 to 15 gm.

Most importantly, as per the association none of the article elaborate form of medicine which includes herb as a whole or extracted active principle dose of the drug used for experimentation, duration of drug exposure etc. According to Chandrakanth Bhanushali, general secretary, ADMA, since ayurveda is well versed with the toxic effects of aristolochia indica, the granthas clearly mention that this herb if taken in very high doses can cause inflammation of stomach and kidney leading to nausea, vomiting, colic and even coma and death. “That is why ayurvedic physicians always recommend the use of the herbal medicines in their natural form and avoid the use of their active constituents in the extracted form,” he clarifies.

Prabodh Shah, president of the Gujarat Ayurved Aushadh Manufacturers Association (GAAMA) pointed out that the industry is shocked by such lack of consideration especially since ayurvedic medicines have always been known to be the safest and the most dependable treatment option available with minimal side effects. He stressed, “Considering all these factors, the government should take immediate corrective steps to sensitise the public about the facts so that they are not misguided about the safety and efficacy of ayurvedic treatment as  misguided by the the so called reports. There is an urgent need to clear the doubts on this issue so as to create awareness among the patients so that neither of us get affected by this.”

Some media had recently reported that many of the herbs, especially the Chinese herbs, which contains acids like aristolochic acid leads to aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN), also known as Chinese herb nephropathy (CHN) a type of kidney failure, including cancer of urinary bladder, if taken in a sufficient dose.

Thus considering the long lasting effect of such articles on the reputation of this industry, ASU industry wants the government to issue a notice on this matter urgently for protecting and promoting the interest of the ASU industry at large.