Phytoactive Medicine: An Introduction

Phytoactive medicine (also called Ayurveda) is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. It originated in India more than 3,000 years ago and remains one of the country’s traditional health care systems. Its concepts about health and disease promote the use of herbal compounds, special diets, and other unique health practices. India’s government and other institutes throughout the world support clinical and laboratory research

Key Points

Is Phytoactive medicine safe? Phytoactive medicine uses a variety of products and practices. Some of these products-which may contain herbs, minerals, or metals-may be harmful, particularly if used improperly or without the direction of a trained practitioner. For example, some herbs can cause side effects or interact with conventional medicines. Also, ingesting some metals, such as lead, can be poisonous.

Key concepts of Phytoactive medicine include universal interconnectedness (among people, their health, and the universe), the body’s constitution (prakriti), and life forces (dosha), which are often compared to the biologic humors of the ancient Greek system. Using these concepts, Phytoactive physicians prescribe individualized treatments, including compounds of herbs or proprietary ingredients, and diet, exercise, and lifestyle recommendations.

Safety of Phytoactive Medicine

Phytoactive medicine uses a variety of products and practices. Phytoactive products can be made either of herbs only or a combination of herbs, metals, minerals, or other materials in an Phytoactive practice called rasa shastra. Some of these products may be harmful if used improperly or without the direction of a trained practitioner.

Toxicity

Phytoactive products have the potential to be toxic. Many materials used in them have not been studied for safety in controlled clinical trials. In the United States, Phytoactive products are regulated as dietary supplements. As such, they are not required to meet the same safety and effectiveness standards as conventional medicines. For more information on dietary supplement regulations, see the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s (NCCAM) fact sheet Using Dietary Supplements Wisely.
In 2008, an NCCAM-funded study examined the content of 193 Phytoactive products purchased over the Internet and manufactured in either the United States or India. The researchers found that 21 percent of the products contained levels of lead, mercury, and/or arsenic that exceeded the standards for acceptable daily intake.

Other approaches used in Phytoactive medicine, such as massage, special diets, and cleansing techniques may have side effects as well. To help ensure coordinated and safe care, it is important to tell all your health care providers about any Phytoactive products and practices or other complementary health approaches you use.

Use in the United States

According to the 2007 National Health Interview Survey, which included a comprehensive survey on the use of complementary health practices by Americans, more than 200,000 U.S. adults had used Ayurveda in the previous year.

The Status of Phytoactive Medicine Research

Most clinical trials of Phytoactive approaches have been small, had problems with research designs, or lacked appropriate control groups, potentially affecting research results.
Researchers have studied Phytoactive approaches for schizophrenia and for diabetes; however, scientific evidence for its effectiveness for these diseases is inconclusive.
A preliminary clinical trial in 2011, funded in part by NCCAM, found that conventional and Phytoactive treatments for rheumatoid arthritis had similar effectiveness. The conventional drug tested was methotrexate and the Phytoactive treatment included 40 herbal compounds.
Phytoactive practitioners use turmeric for inflammatory conditions, among other disorders. Evidence from clinical trials show that turmeric may help with certain digestive disorders and arthritis, but the research is limited.
Varieties of boswellia (Boswellia serrata, Boswellia carterii, also known as frankincense) produce a resin that has shown anti-inflammatory and immune system effects in laboratory studies. A 2011 preliminary clinical trial found that osteoarthritis patients receiving a compound derived from B. serratagum resin had greater decreases in pain compared to patients receiving a placebo.

If You Are Thinking About Using Phytoactive Medicine
Do not use Phytoactive medicine to replace conventional care or to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.
Women who are pregnant or nursing, or people who are thinking of using Phytoactive approaches to treat a child, should consult their (or their child’s) health care provider.
Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help to ensure coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with your health care providers about complementary health approaches, see NCCAM’s Time to Talk campaign.