| Ayurvedic medicine, also called Ayurveda, is an ancient medical system from India that is still in use today. It is one of the oldest medical systems in the world. Only a small number of clinical trials of Ayurvedic treatments have been published in Western medical journals. A few studies suggest that Ayurvedic preparations may be helpful for symptoms of osteoarthritis or type 2 diabetes, but most of these studies were small or not well designed. Little scientific evidence exists on Ayurvedic medicines value for other health issues. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that the presence of metals in some Ayurvedic products makes them potentially harmful. Some people who use Ayurvedic preparations have been found to have elevated blood levels of lead or mercury. | 