It is a common misconception among the public that
Ayurvedic medicines are safe and devoid of adverse reaction.
More than 70% of the total sales of Ayurvedic drugs are
over-the-counter (OTC), thus leading to the use of Ayurvedic
medicines without prescription, guidance and oversight
of Ayurvedic physicians.
Many poisonous plants like
Ahiphena (Papaver somniferoum Linn.), Bhanga (Cannabis
sativa Linn.), Dhattur (Dhatura metel Linn.), Karavira
(Nerium indicum Mill.), Kupilu (Strychnos nuxvomica
Linn.f.), Langali (Gloriosa superba Linn.), Vatsanabha
(Aconitum ferox Wall.), Jayapal (Croton tiglium Linn.),
etc. have been used in Ayurveda medicine.
According to
Ayurveda, “even a strong poison can become an excellent
medicine if administrated properly; on the other hand, even
the most useful medicine can act like a poison if handled
incorrectly”.
Unexpected adverse reactions can occur due
to accidental use of a poisonous herb/medicine/decoction by
the patient, misidentification of herbs so that a toxic herb is
mistaken to be a harmless variety, improper purification of
the poisonous ingredients, overdose, irrational prescription,
self-medication and drug interaction with allopathic drugs.
