Hyderabad: Metals have been used for medical purposes since ancient times. Ayurveda doctors claimed that metals such as copper, gold, silver and iron are frequently used for treatment. They also cited metallotherapy, a method of treatment where metal plates are used to imbibe energy into the body.
Dr. P Vishwanathan of Kottakal Arya Vaidya Shala, Hyderabad, said, “We use metals in the Ayurveda system after processing them at high temperature to remove their metallic properties. When they are powdered, they are safe and will not be deposited in the kidney. Gold salts are used for treatment and copper can lessen the growth of bacteria.”
Doctors claimed that the antibacterial properties of silver and copper are quite known. This is the reason why patients are told to drink water stored in silver and copper vessels. The metals have also cooling properties.
Another physician, Dr Vidhyadharan C, noted, “The Ayurveda system has been using metals for treatment. We often heat water and other liquids in metal vessels. Iron vessels can help cure anemia and can strengthen bone tissues. Similarly, copper is used for cleansing the liver and spleen.”
“We have used metals in our treatment and no side effects have been reported. We often use gold salts to improve memory and the nervous system. There is no artificial component in metals,” noted Dr Vishwanathan.
