Ayush Herbs Newsletter - Editpro-Services

April 15, 2009
Volume 1, Issue 1
On the Inside:
An Ayurvedic Guide to
Springtime Allergy Care
Your Personal Kapha
Cleansing Diet
Featured Products
Does Nasal Irrigation Ease
Allergy Symptoms?
Herb of the Month:
Tinospora cordifolia
Meet Dr. Sodhi
Our Commitment to Product
Safety
Dr. Virender Sodhi’s
2
3
4
5
5
6
7
Ayurvedic News
The Safety of Ayurvedic Supplements - My View
Recent headlines have been
ablaze with warnings about the
safety of certain Ayurvedic supplements.
High levels of heavy
metals including lead, mercury
and arsenic have been found in
supplements purchased via the
Internet.
Two American studies, one conducted
in 2008 by Boston University’s
School of Medicine and
other by Harvard School of Medicine
(2004) reported these findings,
echoing similar findings
reported in the Indian media.
In the Boston University research,
193 preparations randomly
purchased from the Internet
were analyzed.
Reportedly, 60 percent of the
preparations were manufactured
by US companies and 40 percent
came from Indian companies.
Of those tested, 21% had significant
levels of lead, mercury and
arsenic.
The Harvard team bought Ay-
urvedic supplements from ap-
proximately 30 stores in the
Boston area and found that the
formulations had “potentially
harmful levels of lead, mercury,
and/or arsenic.”
Among the supplements found
to contain heavy metals were
the products of some of the
leading companies within the
Ayurvedic community. Our clinic
has received many frantic calls
from patients and doctors from
all over the world.
When I graduated from Bastyr
University in 1988 as a naturo-
Spring—Nature’s Time to Cleanse
It happens every spring. You fling
open the windows, shed your
winter coat, and suddenly get the
urge to clean your house. But do
you ever think about "spring
cleaning" the toxins from your
body?
Detoxifying in spring is an important
part of the Ayurvedic seasonal
routine (ritucharya). Spring
is known as the Kapha season,
A digest of the latest news and information on Ayurvedic and herbal medicine.
because the wet and cool
weather reflects the moist, cool,
heavy qualities of the Kapha dosha
that predominate during this time
of the year.
Nature supports cleansing of the
body in spring. In winter the digestive
fire is high, and people eat
more sweet and heavy food. Most
of the time they aren’t able to
assimilate these hard-to-digest
pathic physician, I saw a great oppor-
tunity to bring Ayurvedic prepara-
tions to patients in US. To my dis-
may, I found that many products
imported from India were of a sub-
standard quality.
Foreign companies are not subject
to the high quality standards main-
tained in the US, and unsanitary
manufacturing practices are com-
mon. Virtually every product I ob-
served was contaminated in some
way.
During the same year, I saw a patient
who had acquired lead toxicity from
taking a popular Guggal preparation.
It was then that I decided to launch
my own line of Ayurvedic formula-
tions, and Ayush Herbs was born.
Our sister product line, R-U-Ved,
provides consumers with optimum
safety and superior quality.
foods, so Ama (the sticky, toxic
product of indigestion) starts
accumulating.When the warm
weather melts the snow in spring,
it has a similar effect on the body.
In spring the Ama melts and the
volume of Ama becomes so great
that the shrotas, the microcirculatory
channels of the body, become
clogged.
Look inside for ways to “spring clean”
your diet . . .
For more information about Dr. Virender Sodhi and the Ayurvedic Clinic, please visit www.ayurvedicscience.com.
For information on our herbal products, please visit www.ayush.com.

Dr. Virender Sodhi’s Ayurvedic News
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 2
Ayurvedic Product Safety (continued from page 1)
The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia is made up of a huge variety of
preparations—from powders (Churan) and tablets, (Gutika), to
Avleh preparations which are similar to jams. Asv and Arisht
preparations are based on wine and other alcohols, and still
others are based on oil and ghee (clarified butter).
Other Ayurvedic preparations use burnt oxides of different
metals, (Bhasma). A preparation known as Ras is based on
mercury and sulfur. Since these preparations use heavy metals,
I personally have not used them for the past twenty-five years.
It is my belief that Ayurvedic companies must practice higher
standards and not use preparations which include heavy metals.
Ayush Herbs, Inc. products are unique in that we abide by the
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) established by the World
Health Organization, and are ISO certified.
The negative media coverage caused by substandard manufacturing
brings a stain on Ayurvedic medicine as a whole in the US,
potentially depriving patients of valuable treatment options. I
always advise my patients to exercise healthy skepticism when
reading critical articles. Usually, such reports fail to point out
that small levels of heavy metals are non-toxic, and are present
even in our drinking water. Similarly, low levels of bacterial or
fungal contamination are normal.
An Ayurvedic Guide to Springtime Allergies
“The Lord hath
created medicines
out of the earth,
and he that is
wise will not
despise them.”
- Ecclesiastes 38:4
Flowers are blooming, the trees are releasing pollen,
and your sinuses know it. The beauty and warmth of
spring are welcome, but the allergies spring brings are
not. Millions of people suffer from allergic rhinitis, or
‘hay fever’ and the itchy eyes, nasal congestion, headache
and scratchy throat seasonal allergies cause. This
is all due to immune response to airborne pollens of
different plants and flowers.
Diagnosing and treating springtime allergies can be a complicated
matter. Springtime allergies may be as mild as the
common cold or as severe as life-threatening anaphylaxis.
It’s not uncommon for a person with allergies to have different
allergic symptoms from year to year. Allergic rhinitis can
accompany the common cold, which is a highly contagious,
and seasonal allergic reactions can cause secondary infections,
such as chronic bronchitis.
Usually, if rhinitis is caused by a seasonal allergic reaction,
nasal discharges are clear, unlike discharges associated with
viral and bacterial infections. Medical allergy testing can
determine the source of most reactions. Some people react
to pollens released at certain times of the year, while others
suffer from perennial allergies and may suffer throughout
the year. As many as 30 million people suffer with
allergies. Usually, symptoms begin during childhood and
adolescence, but people at any age can develop allergies.
Usually, it takes at least two years of exposure in a new
place before seasonal allergy symptoms begin. This is why
often people don’t experience allergies until they have
lived an a new place for several years.
Pollen—from trees, grasses and weeds—is the most common
cause of springtime allergies. In perennial allergies,
house dust, animal dander and molds are usually the cause,
and many people are troubled by both types. Ayurvedic and
Naturopathic medicine have much to offer this kind of allergy
sufferer. Ayurvedic herbs, such as Amla, Guggal, Pippali, and
others offer natural relief for many allergy symptoms. These
herbs are best used in special combination formulas, such as
Guggal-lip from R-U-Ved. When herbs are taken together, their
effect is synergistically enhanced.
Commercially-available breads, jams and packaged foods typically
contain allowable levels of fungi, bacteria and even insects. at
allowable levels. and insect fragments. In my view, these contaminants
pose less of a real concern than man-made chemicals
and medications. Mankind has been living with
natural contaminants for millions of years, but the impact
of chemicals is largely unknown so far.
On the other hand, while the majority of Ayurvedic
herbs may be safe, many herbs—aconite, belladonna,
strychnine, podophylin, and digitalis, for example, are
extremely toxic and should be used only under the
guidance of expert clinicians for short periods of time.
All of our products are formulated according to
the industry’s highest safety standards. Stringent quality
control is performed at our own laboratories by a team of
scientists using the latest technologies.
Please see page 7 for our commitment to
quality and safety.
Natural care also incorporates safe, simple measures such as
sinus cleansing to keep nasal passageways clear and free from
pollens, molds and other allergens. Neti douching with a saline
solution soothes irritated mucous membranes. If you suffer
from allergies, cleansing with Neti is as important as brushing
your teeth.
Herbal teas are often overlooked in allergy treatment. Hot
herbal teas help to thin mucous so it can be flushed out of your
system. My favorite tea during this time of year is ProKapha TM
from R-U-VED.
The Role of Diet
Nutrition is a critical component of Ayurvedic and Naturopathic
care for all health conditions. In the case of allergies, I
have found that even seasonal allergies can be aggravated by
many allergy-producing foods. Eliminating such foods from
the diet can assist the body and help to reduce the severity of
symptoms. I usually begin by eliminating dairy, nightshades
(tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers), and citrus fruits
(oranges, grapefruit and tangerines) from the diet.
Guggal-lip is especially recommended when food allergies
are a factor. Guggal-lip acts like a steroid, but without the
terrible side effects. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory, reducing
the pain of sinus headaches. I have had great results in my
practice using Guggal-lip for chronic ear and sinus infections.
I recommend taking 1 tablet of Guggul-lip three times a day
for 3-4 months.
The Indoor Environment
Every allergy sufferer needs to consider the effect of indoor
air on their symptoms. Pets can also be a factor. Forced air
heating, gas heating and carpeting provide an indoor environment
in which molds, dust mites, and bacteria can grow and
thrive. Electric heating, although costly to install, creates the
most allergy-free indoor environment. If forced air is used,
HEPA or charcoal filters can improve air quality.

Ayurvedic Supplements for Allergy Season
The Ayurvedic supplements Guggal, Shilajeet, Amla, and
Pippali offer excellent relief from springtime allergy symp-
toms.
Shilajeet is a mineral pitch that helps boost the immune
system. I recommend taking 1 capsule of 500mg of Shila-
jeet extract three times a day for 3-4 months. Pippli is
another powerful anti-allergic herb that helps to improve
digestion. Adding Amla Plex (1 teaspoon, three times a
day) will help in the prevention of allergies.
Zinc 15 mg twice per day, Vitamin A water soluble 10,000 IU
three times per day and Vitamin C 500 mg three times per
day also help boost your immune system during allergy
season. Quercetin, a bioflavoid 500mg taken to twice a
day, is also an excellent supplement. My most favorite is
Flucomune TM.
Your Personal Kapha ”Spring Cleaning” Diet
The Kapha diet is designed to keep things moving. Kapha foods
are warming, light and dry. Cold, heavy and oily foods should
be avoided during this time of year. The best Rasas (tastes) for
a Kapha diet are pungent, bitter and astringent, and foods with
sweet, salty and sour tastes should be avoided. The Kapha
constitution needs to eat three meals a day, with lunch as the
main meal. Kapha people should avoid sleeping immediately
after meals. Exercise will make a difference.
Follow the food guidelines below to design your personal
spring cleaning diet.
Vegetables
Most Moderate Least
alfalfa seaweed yams
asparagus corn cucumbers
broccoli bell peppers
beets cauliflower
celery eggplant
chiles okra
chard squash
cilantro spinach
cabbage
carrots
lettuce
green beans
watercress
turnip
mustard
greens
Guggal-lip is especially recommended when food
allergies are a factor. Guggal-lip acts like a steroid,
but without the terrible side effects. It is a powerful
anti-inflammatory, reducing the pain of sinus head-
aches. I have had great results in my practice using
Guggal-lip for chronic ear and sinus infections. I
recommend taking 1 tablet of Guggul-lip three
times a day for 3-4 months.
See page 4 for more great allergy care products.
Fruits
Most Moderate Least
cranberries grapefruit dates
dried fruit pomegranate bananas
apples prunes oranges
lime papaya melons
lemons figs
pineapple plums
strawberies cherries
Grains and Legumes
mangoes
Most Moderate Least
barley buckwheat white rice
quinoa millet couccous
lentils corn oats
aduki rye brown rice
mung basmati rice wheat
lima kidney beans
split peas
garbanzos
Page 3

Dr. Virender Sodhi’s Ayurvedic News
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 4
Flucomune— Nature’s finest for allergy season from R-U-Ved
I developed Flucomune after acquiring severe
environmental allergies here in the
Northwest. Flucomune has boosted my
immune system, while also acting as a mu-
colytic, antiviral, expectorant and detoxifier.
I have experienced much greater al-
lergy relief with Flucomune than with allergy
medications like Claritin, which pro-
duce grogginess and headache.
Amla Plus is made from 38 selected ingredients, including herbs,
spices and herbal extracts, is one of the world’s most powerful
immune-enhancers, and a rich source of Vitamin C and bioflavon-
oids. Its primary ingredient, the Amla fruit, has traditionally been
used as a rejuvenative and adaptogen.
Research has shown that the fruit’s anti-oxidant properties are
due in part to its ability to enhance SOD (superoxide dismutase)
levels. Studies have also shown Amla to increase lean body mass,
accelerate tissue repair and regeneration, and to protect against
chromosome damage from heavy metals and environmental
pollutants. Amla is known as a rasayana said to preserve vitality
and youthfulness.
Flucomune contains:
Amla ...200mg
Basil ...200mg
Bahera ...200mg
Guduchi ...100mg
Mulathi ...100mg
Trikatu ...50mg
Vasaka ...50mg
In Sanskrit, Trikatu means “three spices.” Trikatu is an
ancient blend of Piper nigrum (black pepper), Zingiber offi-
cianalis (ginger), and Piper Longum (pippali), which to-
gether form a powerful energizing tonic. Trikatu improves
overall health by boosting metabolism and enhancing
elimination – critical components of whole-body health.
In Ayurvedic tradition, Trikatu is known as a heating for-
mula. It promotes “AGNI,” or “digestive fire,” burning
harmful toxins and revitalizing the metabolism. Studies
have shown that Tritaku can enhance the body’s absorp-
tion of nutrients and boost elimination. When digestive
health is restored, healthy weight can be maintained with
ease. Tritaku also helps to free the body from a harmful
buildup of toxins in the digestive system, which can lead
to serious illnesses. Free from toxins, the body’s balance,
vitality and well-being are restored.

Dr. Virender Sodhi’s Ayurvedic News
Volume 1, Issue 1
Does the Neti Pot Really Work?
Research indicates it does . . .
Pollen forecasters are predicting a heavy season this
year, so allergy sufferers may be struggling to find
relief.
For some, the neti pot, a nasal irrigator that resembles
a small teapot, has become an alternative remedy.
While it is not nearly as convenient as popping a pill or
using a spray, several recent studies have found that
nasal irrigation can reduce symptoms of allergies and
other nasal problems.
One benefit is that irrigation can clear nasal passages
without dryness or “rebound” congestion, which occurs
when overuse of decongestants leads to dependence
and irritated tissue.
In one independent study in 2008, researchers examined
a group of children with severe allergies. They
found that regular nasal irrigation with a mild saline
solution significantly eased symptoms and helped
reduce the need for steroid nasal sprays.
Herb of the Month— Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi)
J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 15;96(3):445-9. Epub 2004 Nov 23.
Page 5
A 2007 study at the University of Michigan
looked at 121 adults with chronic nasal and sinus
problems. Over two months, the scientists
found that those treated with nasal irrigation
reported greater improvements than those
treated with a spray.
Other research, including an analysis of studies
in the Cochrane database in 2007, found that it
can be an inexpensive adjunct to medication:
most neti pots are about $10.
The efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia (TC) extract in patients of allergic
rhinitis was assessed in a randomized double blind placebo
controlled trial. Seventy-five patients were randomly given either
TC or placebo for 8 weeks. They were clinically examined and Hb
%, TLC, DLC and nasal smear was done. At the end of trial baseline
investigations were repeated, drug decoded and results analyzed.
With TC treatment 100% relief was reported from sneezing
in 83% patients, in 69% from nasal discharge, in 61% from
nasal obstruction and in 71% from nasal pruritus. In placebo
group, there was no relief in 79% from sneezing, in 84.8% from
nasal discharge, in 83% from nasal obstruction, and in 88% from
nasal pruritus. The difference between TC and placebo groups was
highly significant. TLC increased in 69% patients in drug treated
group and in only 11% with placebo. After TC, eosinophil and neutrophil
count decreased and goblet cells were absent in nasal
smear. After placebo, decrease in eosinophil and neutrophil count
was marginal and goblet cells were present. TC significantly decreased
all symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Nasal smear cytology and
leukocyte count correlated with clinical findings. TC was well tolerated.
( Tinospora Cordifolia is part of Flucomune)

Page 6
Dr. Virender Sodhi’s Ayurvedic News
Volume 1, Issue 1
About Dr. Sodhi -
Dr. Virender Sodhi was the first Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physi-
cian in the United States. He received his degree from the
Dayanand Ayurvedic Medical College in Jalandar, India in 1980.
Consequently, in 1986, the Indian government chose him to share
Ayurveda with the Western society as part of a cultural exchange
program.
Upon his arrival into the United States, Dr. Sodhi enrolled at
Bastyr University, a world leader in natural medicine, located in
Washington State where he received his N D degree in Naturo-
pathic Medicine. He was then subsequently asked to join the fac-
ulty at the university to teach Ayurvedic sciences. Currently, he is a
visiting professor at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine
in Scottsdale, Arizona, School of Pharmacy University of Washing-
ton and Des Moines University Iowa.
Aside from educating students at different institutions, Dr. Sodhi
also took it upon himself to educate the general public about the
benefits of naturopathic medicine. He has been featured on sev-
eral radio and television programs across the country including an
hour-long talk show on KEZX: a local radio station in Seattle, Wash-
ington. This program was titled “Ayurveda: Wealth of Health” and
was featured during the summer of 1997. He has also taken his
knowledge about Ayurveda to the national and international level
where he’s lectured not only in hospitals, conferences and other
universities in the United States, but also in countries like Italy,
Switzerland, Holland, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.
Dr. Sodhi sits on the Panel of Experts with Dr. Andrew Wile for
Natural Health Magazine, and has also been featured in the “Ask
the Experts” column many times. To add to his growing list of
accomplishments, he was also the most quoted naturopathic phy-
sicians in the reference book: Alternative Medicine, The Definitive
Guide, and is featured in The Textbook of Natural Medicine . He
has also written for several publications including the Protocol
Journal of Botanical Medicine, World & I Magazine, and the Ay-
urvedic News Quarterly. He writes regular weekly column Ay-
urvedic Medicine updates, for India Post.

Our Commitment to Product Safety
Ayush Herbs, along with our sister concern, R-U-Ved, join the ancient
principles of Ayurvedic medicine with the latest scientific
technology to provide the highest quality herbal supplements available.
Ayurveda literally means "the science of life," and our com-
pany was founded by Ayurvedic and naturopathic physicians who
believe in healthy living in body, mind, and spirit and who also be-
lieve in maintaining the highest quality-control standards in the
herbal supplement industry.
Ayush Herbs has maintained these standards since it was founded
and is committed to continuing that tradition as it meets the needs
of our customers in the years to come.
Why Ayush Herbs Was Founded
The Sodhi brothers founded Ayush Herbs in 1988. When they first
started their Ayurvedic and naturopathic practices in the United
States, they experienced difficulty finding products that were free
of heavy metals and other dangerous contaminants. They tried
products from reputable sources from India, but discovered that
even those products were too contaminated to satisfy FDA require-
ments. Knowing how critical unadultered products are to the treatment
of any patient, the Sodhi brothers decided to grow their own
herbs. All of our herbs are grown in the Himachal Pradesh region of
the Himalayas, where indigenous herbs have been used for centuries
in Ayurvedic medicine.
Providing uncontaminated, unadulterated herbal products is the
founding principle of our company. We have full knowledge of and
confidence in the contents of our herbal products for the sake of
our patients and our own families.
Supporting Our Community
The tribal peoples in the Himachal Pradesh region have long wildcrafted
(harvested) native species of plants. However, despite tribal
traditions, our company recognized the importance of teaching
sustainable practices to ensure the long-term health of these medicinal
plants and of the way of life of the people. Throughout our
history, these sustainability efforts and commitments have won
recognition by the Indian government in the form of awards for
providing outstanding services to society, technological innovation,
and product excellence, as well as recognition of commendable
entrepreneurship.
Today we continue our commitment to our growers, the community,
and our patients by providing better-than-market-wage jobs; educa-
tion about sustainable harvesting; community clinics free of charge to
those who cannot pay; water facilities for areas that historically had
none; and other services, including educational opportunities for the
tribal communities in the Himachal Pradesh region.
Quality Matters
All of our herbs are grown and harvested to the highest quality speci-
fications exclusively for our products. Close attention is paid to the
quality of each plant in every aspect, including the health of the plant,
the size of the root, and the timing of harvesting, to ensure optimal
potency and quality.
In-house manufacturing, lab testing, and heavy-metal testing of all
herbs grown and cultivated in the Himachal Pradesh region confirms
that this area, which is the natural habitat of most Ayurvedic herbs,
yields the highest quality organic herbs. These herbs are ideally suited
for use as supplements to enhance good health in accordance with
the 5,000-year-old Ayurvedic tradition.
Stringent quality control is performed at R-U-Ved’s laboratories by a
team of scientists using the latest technologies. R-U-Ved's patented
herbal-extraction method uses state-of-the-art technology to obtain
the maximum level of active principles, as well as full-spectrum extracts,
after which the extracts are spray-dried, oven-dried, or freeze-
dried. As the extracts are concentrated, they go through another
inspection for heavy metals and further microbiological testing. Fi-
nally, each batch is hygienically packed and samples are tagged and
kept for future reference. Additional testing by third parties is per-
formed on every one of R-U-Ved’s formulations, ensuring that each
product meets R-U-Ved’s own high standards of excellence.
Every product we produces has been verified to contain what is
claimed on the label. These tests reflect the potency and purity of our
products.