ALL those who swear by traditional medicine are in for a shock. A recent study conducted by a pharmacologist from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, reveals that several commonly used herbal medicines contain toxic metals like lead and arsenic. These herbal preparations are commonly prescribed in the Ayurvedic and Unani systems for treatment of arthritis, jaundice, renal stones, male infertility, allergic diorders, eczema, hypertension, tuberculosis and amoebiasis as well as tonics. The medicines are supposed to be without side-effects and are normally prescribed alongwith modern medicines, thus exposing high risk groups like pregnant women, children, the elderly and chronic patients to more harm.
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