Indian judge says billion-dollar ayurvedic company has taken the public 'for a ride'

MUMBAI – Imagine if there were a magic pill to ward off COVID-19. Or if you could cure diabetes with vegetable juices and herbal pills instead of controlling it with insulin medication. Or if yoga and breathing exercises were all you need to do to get rid of asthma.

These are all claims made by Patanjali Ayurved, one of India's biggest manufacturers of traditional ayurvedic products – reflecting the beliefs of a 3,000-year-old tradition of Hindu healing practices. The word "ayurveda" comes from the Sanskrit terms "ayur" (life) and "veda" (science or knowledge.) Its practitioners use herbs, animal extracts and minerals, processed according to centuries-old texts.

Many scientists have over the lack of research into the safety these products as dietary supplements and not as medicinal drugs that can cure or prevent illness.