Ayurvedic medicines soon to be banned in EU
Ayurvedic Medicines Face EU Ban from May 1
India Tribune, February 11, 2011
London: A ban on the sale of Ayurvedic and other herbal medicines will take effect across Europe from May 1, following a European Union directive introduced as a response to growing concern over adverse effects of such alternative medicines.
Users and promoters of such medicines have called the EU directive, called The Traditional herbal Medicinal Products Directive, 2004/24/EC, “discriminatory and disproportionate.”
Ayurvedic and traditional herbal medicines will need to comply with the EU directive passed in 2004, which takes effect from May 1, 2011.
Official sources said those Ayurvedic products marketed before the legislation came into force in 2004 can continue to market their product until April 30, 2011, under the transitional measures.
Under EU law, statutorily regulated herbal practitioners will be permitted to continue prescribing unlicensed products, but the government in Britain has delayed plans to introduce a statutory herbal practitioner register.
A spokesman for the Department of Health said no decision has been made on a statutory register of herbal practitioners. “The government is aware of the strength of feeling on this issue and is actively exploring options.”
Lord Dhanvantari - God of ayurvedic medicine and healing, physician of the Gods
Comment by Stephen Knapp:
We have written and told you about this kind of endeavor by the EU some years ago, especially in regard to the Codex Eliminatarious, which is a law which is designed and pushed by the elite government organizations to eliminate the sale and commercial enterprise of all herbs, Ayurvedic products, natural health products in general, and even the purchase of vitamins and minerals without the prescription of a doctor. And any vitamins that could be sold over the counter would be of such a small dosage that they would be practically useless.
The first stage of this would be and is Europe, and then use that momentum to swing it over to the United States. Thus, it would give more power to the government and the pharmaceutical companies, increasing their profits by leaps and bounds, which is the main reason for governing such restrictions, and taking away the freedom of people to search out or utilize their right to pursue alternative medicine and health practices in any way. Then we would be stuck with only what medicines and health treatments that are sanctioned by the government.
As the article above describes, it is surprising that England has not easily complied with this measure, but it is likely only a matter of time before it does. We have already seen measures taken to try to pass laws here in the United States that would put severe restrictions and measures on the organic farming business, even to restrict anyone’s back yard gardening for sharing or selling such food to anyone else. This would be especially pleasing to such companies like Monsanto.
From diverse news articles we can understant there will be many bigger changes that are in the making.
——
“Murari Gupta could treat both bodily and spiritual disease because he was a physician by profession and a great devotee of the Lord in terms of spiritual advancement. This is an example of service to humanity. Everyone should know that there are two kinds of diseases in human society. One disease, which is called adhyatmika, or material disease, pertains to the body, but the main disease is spiritual. The living entity is eternal, but somehow or other, when in contact with the material energy, he is subjected to the repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. The physicians of the modern day should learn from Murari Gupta. Although modern philanthropic physicians open gigantic hospitals, there are no hospitals to cure the material disease of the spirit soul. The Krsna consciousness movement has taken up the mission of curing this disease, but people are not very appreciative because they do not know what this disease is. A diseased person needs both proper medicine and a proper diet, and therefore the Krsna consciousness movement supplies materially stricken people with the medicine of the chanting of the holy name, or the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and the diet of prasada. There are many hospitals and medical clinics to cure bodily diseases, but there are no such hospitals to cure the material disease of the spirit soul. The centers of the Krsna consciousness movement are the only established hospitals that can cure man of birth, death, old age and disease.” (Cc Adi 10.49,51 purport)
——
“Drugs are meant for medicinal purposes, not for drinking or taking generally. Every herb, every vegetable, is a drug meant for curing a particular disease. This is nature’s gift. Just like if you cut your finger, you take little grass and take a little juice and apply it. It will act as tincturizing, immediately. They are meant for this purpose. These vegetable, drugs, are meant for when you are sick or disturbed, you can utilize. Not for intoxication. Just like opium. If you have severe type of dysentery, diarrhea, a little opium it will immediately cure. But opium is not meant for using as an intoxication. There is use of opium. Morphia, opium, they have got use at a certain time, not for using it for intoxication.” (Room Conversation with Kim Cornish — May 8, 1975, Perth)
—–
Traditional Medicine and its Knowledge Dr. Xiaorui Zhang
http://www.unctad.org/trade_env/docs/who.pdf
Ayurveda As It Is
http://www.vnn.org/world/WD9812/WD15-2682.html
EU medicines law, same in US, checks all drugmakers equally. It became known in past years that Ayurveda products often contain questionable ingredients. This might be the reason, not that they deal arbitrarily with this.
Natural News:
Many Indian Herbal Medicines Found to Contain Lead, Mercury or Arsenic
http://www.naturalnews.com/025896_medicines_lead_herbal.html
(NaturalNews) Approximately one in five Indian herbal medicines sold over the Internet contains dangerously high levels of arsenic, lead or mercury, according to a study conducted by researchers from Boston University and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Traditional Indian herbal medicine, known as Ayurvedic medicine, has become increasingly popular in the Western world over the last few years. Research has suggested that traditional Indian herbal techniques can be helpful in treating health problems including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
“But the key thing is we need to separate out what’s helpful and … what needs to be looked at and perhaps set aside,” lead researcher Robert Saper said. “Our first priority must be the safety of the public. Herbs and supplements with high levels of lead, mercury and arsenic should not be available for sale on the Internet or elsewhere.”
completely agree with Kerstin. i wanted to say the same and to provide similar study, but i dont see any point now, for Kerstin wrote it all .
You are insane in Europe.To ban one of the best medicines in the world??
pamho agtACBSP HARE KRSNA prabhus
I get Ayurvedic medicine since a long time from India.
Brahmi and other similar medicine from Rasanadi family.
I asked about this new law in Europe and they told me to not worry about that because Ayurvedic medicines are save in London City.
Then as you know there are cheaters as well. Therefore it is better to make sure we get the Ayurvedic medicines from the devotees like Ramdeva swami and not from the karmis.
Ayurvedic medicines is decided by checking the pulse and then they give individual presciption to the patient. The individual condition of kapha, pitta and vayu is analyzed. There can’t be speculation. This is a statement of Srila Prabhupada who used to have a pharmacy in Allahbad city close to Prayag.
There is no better medicine then Ayurveda because Sri Dhanvantari is not a ordinary person but Sri Vishnu Himself.
ys seva das haribol
Last night I watched the BBC’s propaganda program ‘Panorama’. It was about counterfeit tobacco products in the UK. One of the reasons given in the program for NOT buying counterfeit tobacco was that it has DANGEROUSLY high levels of “lead, mercury and arsenic”. I thought where have I heard that mantra recently? Somehow if you purchase tobacco legally the product is not regarded by the authorities as being as DANGEROUS as if you had bought it illegally:)
Kerstin: “lead researcher Robert Saper said. “Our first priority must be the safety of the public. Herbs and supplements with high levels of lead, mercury and arsenic should not be available for sale on the Internet or elsewhere.â€
If the authorities really were concerned about the safety of the public, (actually they couldn’t care less about the public), they would take steps to ban really dangerous products that contain alcohol (just one example for brevity). Alcohol products are the cause of most crime and health problems what to speak of road traffic deaths. Now if Robert Saper was really concerned about public safety wouldn’t we see him campaign with equal if not more vigour against alcohol products?
Besides that how does the public know what Robert Saper says is true?
This is not about public safety but another aspect of the dictatorship we are subjected to in our lives, whereby somebody decides what the public can or cannot do, just for the sake of being the controller. Read Bhagavada -gita 16th chapter for more insights into this demoniac mentality.
REALLY – DO YOU TRUST YOUR LEADERS
I’m with Stephen Knapp and the person above me in comment number 5 who wisely has advised us to read Bhagavad Gita Chapter 16 on “The Divine and Demoniac Natures”.
Really do you trust your government or leaders?? Do you think they love you?? Do you really?? Do you trust politicians who are time and time again proven to be liars and cheaters and generally into power and money?? Do you trust men, so many of whom are blatantly, brazenly linked to big business either directly or who are given back-handers by big business?? Do you really think these politicians, doctors, scientists who are all big sense gratifiers are to be trusted?? Do you really think these fellows always tell the truth? They cannot and do not see the point in controlling their senses. Many of them are abnoxious atheists denying their own self interest. Their self interest being to surrender to the Lord and stop trying to control everything around them so they can enjoy themselves as if they were God! Do you think these people love you and want what’s best for you? Do they even KNOW what’s best for you or themselves? Yet you trust them? Always? Why? Is it because they are in some official position? Are you afraid NOT to trust them? Are you afraid that the fragile economic, political world they have falsely created for us will reject you if you speak out against them?
How can a person, who doesn’t know or doesn’t care what’s best for himself, know what’s best for you or your family? How can he who denies welfare and life to millions of God’s beautiful creatures be trusted to always do the right thing? I am talking about “our leaders”, who happily eat murdered animals by the millions each day without a care in the world. I’m not saying that all persons who eat meat are not to be trusted when it comes to their dealings with other people. However, it is a large indication of where they are at.
Saint Francis of Assisi said, “If you have men who will exclude ANY of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow men”. St Francis was a strict vegetarian as were all of his chief disciples and order of monks until Kali Yuga eroded their steadfastness.
True, some good leaders, by their nature, ARE blessed, due to their good karma, with fairness, truthfulness and a loving serving spirit. I have met some. But in general, and to varying degrees, most leaders, big and small in this Kali Yuga are selfish and will do what is expedient and not what is right. And sometimes, even when they want to do the right thing, they can’t because they are up against a wall of rascals who wont cooperate with them. They are often up against a system which, by its very design, is unfair and inherently exploitive.
Was Prabhupada Halucinating?
Have we forgotten that A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada said that right now, in this Kali Yuga, on this planet, there are a handful of big demons controlling the world affairs?! Do we think Prabhupada was hallucinating?!
May I please refer you to one of the first books A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada wrote which clearly states Prabhupada’s understanding on this matter. (I would welcome any other references. I know there are many.) The book is “Sri Ramaananda Samvad”. (you can find it in the Prabhupada section of the excelent, huge online database – bvml.org)
In Part 1, 5th paragraph, Prabhupada writes,
“The military arrangement is a false representation of the Ksatriyas, who are meant to give protection to the public at large. However the military leaders (our politicians=ksatriyas) of every country are SUCKING THE BLOOD OF THE MASSES BY IMPOSING HEAVY, UNBEARABLE TAXES, instead of giving ANY actual protection.
The capitalist (big business=pharmaceuticals), who represent the vaishyas, instead of accumulating wealth for carrying out the will of Lord Visnu are AMMASSING HUGE WEALTH for their OWN SENSE gratification. As a result of this, many problems, such as POLITIACL POLICIES which EXPLOIT THE MASSES have sprung up in all parts of the world. The laborers are a perverted representation of the sudra class who are serving the capitalist under the pressure of many obligations”. (my use of highers case letters and parentheses)
They Are Still Doing It
The point is this; in the past there have been rascal leaders who controlled and exploited people, “their own people” their own countrymen and THEY ARE STILL DOING IT! This book of Prabhupada was written in Vrindavan in 1959 long before there was widespread talk of or opposition against globalisation. Although there has been a whole section of thinkers throughtout the world who quite clearly understood the directin the profit-based world of impersonal big business was pushing us. Not all karmis are selfish and stupid. Some do think deeply.
The Bigger The Lie….The Easier They Believe
Politician’s and in this case doctor’s, and people in the pharmaceutical industry’s very mission, very raison d’etre is, to make money. Why? Because they have lots of material desires to fulfill. We really need “TO GET THIS” – that there are people on this earth who will screw you over and turn the whole world upside down to turn a buck, or in this case, BILLIONS OF BUCKS PER WEEK! Do you know how ruthless these people are?! Do you know they will stop at NOTHING to increase profits? No of course you don’t. And you know why? Its not because you’re stupid. Its because you’re just too nice!! Yes, you heard me. I said you’re too nice. Meaning, you in your wildest dreams would never be so greedy that you would lie, cheat, steal and kill for money and power. You are too nice and gifted with the Godly quality of a simple heart that you don’t feel the need to muscle, elbow your way, or manipulate yourself into a powerful position in society with the sole/(soulless!) purpose of controlling others so you can exploit them for your own sense gratification. You’re just “too nice” for that. So it just doesn’t occur to you that when political leaders, doctors and respectable looking scientists with letters after their names tell you something like “This is in th public’s interest”, that they may be LYING THROUGH THEIR TEETH to suit their own ends. In this case “their own ends” means making a whole load of money, to satisfy themselves and their immediate and extended family. Because you and I aren’t like this, would never, could never, have the stomach for this we just can’t believe there would be those that would have. And you know what?…. they are COUNTING on us never understanding how nasty they are. And now – one of THE BEST QUOTES of the last many centuries regarding this very issue, how nasty leaders/politicians think; from ONE of THE BESTEST NASTIEST (MIS)LEADERS of all time –
“IT IS INDEED WONDERFUL FOR LEADERS THAT MEN DO NOT THINK”.!!!!! Who said it? Why, Adolf Hitler did of course! He also said, “The BIGGER the LIE you invent, the EASIER people will BELIEVE it”. There are books written about this. There have been TV documentaries about this. He, Adolf Hitler, and his cronies masterfully used propaganda on a huge scale to brainwash the whole German population to support their self-destructive ultimately Germany-destroying madness. Why? Coz that’s what envious demons do. Misery loves company. No love in their twisted hearts, so lets screw everyone else up too. No love. No sattva guna. Only tamas, anger, lust, greed. Chaos! Destroy, destroy! I bet you have met or even know some people like this. I do!
Why do you think that everything must have changed? Why do you think, “No, our leaders, and good doctors, and scientists etc would never lie to us on that scale”. My response – You know what?! – a junkie always lies. Why? Coz s/he’s addicted to his/her next fix. They will lie, cheat and steal even from their own mother and father. If someone is SO addicted to whatever – power, position or money and the sense gratifcatin that accrues from these, to which s/he are ALSO addicted and if he has no overiding scruples or principles to check his lower self they may LIE, CHEAT, STEAL AND MURDER YOU OR ANYONE WHO GETS IN THEIR WAY. Most people wouldn’t do this and many leaders wouldn’t also. But big business has and will continue to lie and cheat and put people in jeopardy if it will increase even short term profits. Lying is not an issue for them. Putting people in jeopardy is not an issue for them. Don’t forget – these people don’t tink like you and me. PLUS THEY CAN’T because if they want to keep their high-paid job, and position, and car, and wife, or husband, and house they “can’t afford to care”. They have SOLD their SOUL to an industry whose leaders SOLD THEIR SOULS LONG AGO. Bankers, politicians, pretty much all the same. Souls sold off. Profit before people.
If They Care – Campaign Against Tobacco and Alcohol
The person above very rightly says that alcohol and tobacco are huge killers in society and always have been. Countless millions have died in road accidents alone from alcohol ALL over the world. Yet this legal and deadly drug is available everywhere except in strict Muslim countries. At least our Muslim brothers have got that one right. Ever been with some strict pious Muslims? They are sobre fellas. They have shakti. And how many people die each year due to smoking? Anyway I digress.
The point very validly being made by the prervious contributor above is that these very harmful substances are undoubtedly killing in the millions yet no Western government dares to ban them. What therefore, in the name of God, are they doing banning a whole branch of ancient medicine. Its NOT BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT OUR HEALTH coz they’d ban alcohol and tobacco IF THEY DID CARE. Its because the pharmaceutical companies are putting pressure for more control=more profit for them. Once you understand the mentality or the principle behind something or someone’s thinking you can see through all the smoke and mirrors.
Kaliyuga Leaders = Liars – Its That Simple
People who are conditioned souls lie. Its JUST THAT SIMPLE Sometimes they don’t even know they are lying – the self-deception is so deep. But on some level they DO know they are lying. Governments lie, leaders particularly in Kali Yuga are liars and cheaters. This includes the leaders in seemingly honourable professions of science and medicine. We shouldn’t be surprised.
A New Age – Daivi Varnashram
But all my negative talk of liars and cheaters and false Kali Yuga leaders is meaningless unless there is a bigger picture with some kind of a positive spiritual vision.
Prabhupada said 50% of his work was incomplete, namely the establishment of Daivi Varnashram Dharm. When the “normal innocent people” are lead by good, honest, especially Godly leaders, and treated fairly, and honestly, they will, under that guidance, become themselves Godly. Its going to happen. Many young people today are so much more aware than their parents. The information age, internet etc is the Lord’s arrangement to free peolpe’s minds from the regulated tyranny of demons who aren’t able to control it. Do you see how many famous people, particularly artists, singers, actors, writers are being inspired by the Lord in their heart. Movies like “The MATRIX”, “AVATAR”, even “Lord of The Rings” with its noble sentiments beyond the usual, mundane, tamasic sex and violence and frivolity are fine examples. Many of these artists have not sold their souls. They are independantly spirited – which is good. They earnestly try to spread kindness and love to all they meet. This may sound a little bit setimental BUT one important quality of a Godly soul is that they are non-envious, that they are first and foremost a well-wisher.
I see signs, among many younger people in particular, of a special respectful, and well-wishing bonding that generations before never even knew was possible between their fellow man. I see the melting pot of cultures , the sharing, and respecting of cultures as a very positive sign. This is part of bhakti. To respect others regardless of external differences. One of Bhaktivinod Thakur’s songs states “When will that day come when all the people of the world will perform bhakti. When they do this they will (automatically) think of each other’s welfare”.
Spiritual Revolution
WHAT TO SPEAK THE MASSIVE RECENT SURGE OF LARGE HARINAM GATHERINGS, HOLY NAME DAYS, KIRTAN FESTIVALS that are now being held all over the planet. Its a true Spiritual Revolution of the Patita Pavana Kali Yuga Dharma, Hari Nama Sankirtan.
The Lord can work through anyone or anything He wishes. Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His Glorious Golden Age are already here. Prabhupada said the “DEMIGODS ARE LINING UP TO TAKE BIRTH” in Kali Yuga to take part in the Sankirtan mission. We need to see things with quite a broad vision. True, for the pure highest standard we must not lose sight of pure bhakti practices without motivation. The highest standard must be maintanioed, practiced and taught by our best devotees to the best receptive disciples.
But many people are not ready for that yet. People have attachments as do I myself who do not chant 64 a day yet etc.
Bhaktivinod Thakura’s Vision – Salvation Army
Bhaktivinod Thakur had this amazing vision, this incredible insight to see the Lord’s hand in places where us lesser souls are blind. You know what he said about how he knew the sankirtan mission was already kicking off around the world and soon, as Lord Caitanya had predicted, “My Holy Name will be heard in every town and village of the world”? He said it was evident because the SALVATION ARMY were out on the streets in different cities of the world singing the praises of the Lord with musical instruments.
I would say that if that’s the case, then somehow the Pentecostals, Baptists, Muslims and Buddhists have their role to play in elevating souls to higher understanding. They may even have a more direct role, not yet revealed, whereby some of them may be influenced by pure bhakti princilples. If Bhaktivinod Thakur could see the seed of sankirtan in the Salvation Army then there surely is a way to link all things to Mahaprabhu’s mission including seemingly disconnected inferior religions. Maybe the Lord is or has already arranged for enlightened souls to take birth in these communities. Maybe He has endowed His chosen devotees with special shakti to gradually change the mood of these often materially and impersonally motivated philosophies to a purer mood with deeper understanding. More on that later.
Yours in the service of the Holy Name, Vaisnavas, Guru and Gauranga. Please forgive my many shortcomings. And please forgive me if I have offended any of you in any way. Please pray for me. May Lord Caitanya bless us all with attachment to His lotus feet and may all beings become happy by performing devotional service.