A golden drop, a public health gamble
Summary
Nepal's distribution of the traditional Ayurvedic golden tonic, swarna bhasma, to infants raises critical concerns about safety, clinical evidence, and public health policy.
Key Points
- Nepal's government is distributing swarna bhasma, a traditional Ayurvedic tonic, to infants as an immunity booster.
- Health officials cite historical texts and some modern studies to support swarna prashan's benefits.
- Pediatricians and studies raise concerns over the lack of strong clinical evidence and potential safety risks, including harmful contaminants and infant botulism from honey.
- Public health experts urge caution, emphasizing the need for rigorous testing, safety assurance, and evidence-based policy.
