Reading an Ayurvedic Product Label
What an Ayurvedic product label can and cannot tell you, from ingredient names and licence numbers to certification marks, and why a label does not prove purity or safety.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Why the label matters
If you or a child have symptoms after using an Ayurvedic product (stomach pain, constipation, tingling, weakness, confusion), stop the product and call US Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 or see a doctor. [1] Other countries' numbers are on poison help by country.A label is the only information most buyers have. For Ayurvedic products it is useful but limited. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says there are no FDA-approved Ayurvedic products, that products sold to prevent, treat or cure disease are illegally marketed in the US, and that these products typically are not labeled as containing heavy metals such as lead, mercury or arsenic. [1] So a clean-looking label does not tell you what is inside.
What the label is supposed to show in India
Indian law treats Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. A 2021 legal commentary on Rule 161 describes the expected label contents. [2] This is a secondary source and the rules have been amended since, so treat the list as a guide to what to look for, not as current legal text.| What to look for | What the commentary says | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredient list | A true list with botanical names of plant ingredients, plant parts, form and quantity [2] | Lets a pharmacist or doctor check for interactions |
| System statement | The label should say "Ayurvedic medicine" (or Siddha or Unani) [2] | Separates a medicine from a food or cosmetic |
| Licence, batch, dates | Manufacturer name and address, manufacturing licence number, batch number, manufacture and expiry dates [2] | Lets a problem be traced to a batch |
| Supervision caution | Products with certain scheduled ingredients should say they are to be taken under medical supervision [2] | Flags higher-risk ingredients |
| "For external use only" | Required for products applied to the skin [2] | Prevents swallowing a topical product |
For classical (non-proprietary) products the commentary says the label may instead point to the method of preparation in the authoritative texts. [2] That tells you the recipe name but not necessarily every ingredient and amount, so ask the maker or seller for the full ingredient list. The commentary applies to products made for India; products sold elsewhere follow the local rules.
Names can mislead
- Botanical names beat Sanskrit or brand names. A review of Ayurvedic raw drug quality describes adulteration and substitution with look-alike species as a real problem, driven by heavy demand. [3] A Latin name on the label is the minimum, but it does not prove the plant in the bottle is that species.
- "Proprietary blend" or a recipe name only. If you cannot find each ingredient, a pharmacist cannot check it against your medicines.
- Metals and minerals. Some traditional preparations (rasa shastra) deliberately include metals or minerals. In a study of 193 Ayurvedic medicines bought online, 20.7% had detectable lead, mercury or arsenic; rasa shastra products were more likely to (40.6% versus 17.1%). [4] Read more on heavy metals and product quality.
Claims on the label are not proof
- Of the metal-containing products in that study, 75% claimed Good Manufacturing Practices. [4] A "GMP" statement alone is not evidence of low metals.
- Disease claims ("treats arthritis", "cures diabetes") on Ayurvedic products sold in the US make them illegally marketed, according to the FDA. [1]
- Supplement-style labels follow US supplement law, under which FDA does not approve supplements for safety and effectiveness before they are sold. [5] See reading supplement labels.
Marks and numbers that can be checked
- AYUSH Mark (India). A voluntary certification scheme run by the Quality Council of India, with a Standard Mark and a Premium Mark. [6] Voluntary means many good products will not carry it, and a mark should be verified with the scheme, not taken from a logo.
- Natural Product Number (Canada). Health Canada says licensed natural health products carry an eight-digit NPN and have been assessed by Health Canada. [7] In 2005 Health Canada warned that several Ayurvedic products found to contain heavy metals had not been authorized for sale in Canada. [8]
- United States. There is no equivalent Ayurvedic mark. Use a pharmacist and the product's full ingredient list.
Before you use a product
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take; some Ayurvedic products can be harmful in pregnancy, and NCCIH advises talking to your clinician first. [9] See interactions, pregnancy and children. For where to buy, see buying Ayurvedic products safely. This page is information only and does not recommend any product.Frequently asked questions
Does "natural" or "herbal" on an Ayurvedic label mean it is safe?
No. Some Ayurvedic preparations can contain lead, mercury or arsenic in amounts that can be toxic. [9] The FDA notes such products typically do not list these metals. [1]
What should a good ingredient list include?
Under the Indian rules as described by one legal commentary, botanical names, plant parts, form and quantity of each ingredient. [2] In any country, a list a pharmacist can read is the practical test.
Is the AYUSH Mark a guarantee?
It is a voluntary certification run by the Quality Council of India. [6] It is one signal, not a guarantee, and not every good product carries it.
Can I test a product at home?
This site has no home test to offer. Heavy metals cannot be judged by look or smell. Ask a clinician; a blood test is how lead exposure is checked, and the Multnomah County health department says blood testing is the only way to know if someone has lead poisoning. [10]
Where do I report a product that made me ill?
In the US, the FDA asks people to report suspected products containing heavy metals to its MedWatch program. [1]