📄 Abstract
The modern practice of Ayurveda is facing a severe threat from the growing trend of misleading advertisements and unsupervised self-medication. Today, many people believe that herbal remedies are entirely harmless, but this idea goes against the core teachings of our ancient texts. This paper explores the critical intersection of classical Ayurvedic principles and the modern concept of pharmacovigilance through the lens of classical Ayurvedic wisdom. We begin by looking at the classical definition of Bheshaja (medicine), which mandates the restoration of health (Prakritisthapana) without causing new problems or adverse effects, the study highlights how commercial over-the-counter remedies frequently violate this fundamental standard. When patients buy heavily advertised over-the-counter drugs and treat themselves, they disrupt the Chikitsa Chatushpada by taking on the role of the Vaidya. Furthermore, this study breaks the persisting public myth that Ayurvedic medicines are universally safe and devoid of side effects, evaluates how ancient safety guidelines are still completely relevant today. We discuss how improperly used medicines can turn into Visha, leading to conditions like Gara Visha and Viruddha Aushadha by warning even nectar can act as deadly poisons. Through the analytical lens of Tantrayukti—specifically utilizing Atidesha and Arthapatti—the study logically extends ancient safety guidelines to modern drug protocols. Ultimately, proposing practical, Shastra based solutions, including rigorous adverse event reporting via Ayush Suraksha, strict enforcement of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, and most importantly establish a culture of "Siddhanta-Vigilance" to protect the health of our society and preserve the scientific dignity of Ayurvedic practice.
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📚 How to Cite:
Dr. Shashank. S. G, Dr. Chetan.M , MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS AND SELF-MEDICATION IN AYURVEDA: A SAMHITOKTA PERSPECTIVE ON PHARMACOVIGILANCE , Volume 12 , Issue 9, September 2026, EPRA International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research (IJMR) , Pages: 390 - 392 , DOI: https://doi.org/10.36713/epra31537