Oral Mercury Toxicity and SVA Chelation with Organic Cilantro and Brussels Sprouts!

The  verdict is clear, Ayurveda and modern toxicology both recognize and confirm the health hazards of of mercury. Mercury naturally occurs in the environment and exists in different forms. It is a constituent element of the earth, like lead or cadmium, and is a toxic “heavy metal.” Heavy metals are elements that  are dense in molecular structure and noted for their potential toxicity, for the human physiology and the environment. Mercury, along with some other elements such as lead and arsenic, all appear in the World Health Organisation’s list of 10 chemicals of major public concern. Innumberable scientific studies have confirmed that acute or chronic health effects may occur when individuals are exposed to or ingest mercury. In ancient ayurvedic formulations, there are guidelines to alchemically transform this toxic substance into a medicinal product, however such preparation literally takes innumerable years and requires strict and complex protocols hard to complete. Mercury has classically been used in ancient ayurvedic formulations as a catalyst to increase the potency and action of herbal synergies; it is still used in modern dentistry for amalgams. However, mercury remains a potent neurotoxin and should be avoided by all means.

According to the ADA (American Dental Association) dental amalgams that contain mercury are safe, despite compelling evidence that shows how dental amalgams slowly but steadily release mercury in the form of vapor every time you eat, drink, brush your teeth, or otherwise stimulate your gums. How much mercury are we talking about? A single dental amalgam filling may release as much as 15 micrograms of mercury per day. To put that into perspective, eating mercury-tainted seafood can expose you to about 2.3 micrograms per day — that alone was enough for scientists to call for a worldwide warning back in 2006!  You can read more:  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/05/dental-amalgam-mercury-poisoning.aspx. But the good news is that mercury dental amalgams in the United States have been on the decline for decades.  Most dental patients now opt for white composite fillings that contain zero mercury,  providing a more natural look and zero ‘potential’ toxic absorption of heavy metals through the oral mucosa. However, what do you do if you still carry mercury amalgams in your teeth? Also, what about those of us currently undergoing procedures to remove mercury fillings?  Last, but definitely not least, what about the remains and long-term effects of mercury absorbed in the tissues from amalgams long gone but ‘not forgotten.’

Growing up as the son of a vaidya, and following a lifestyle and regimen of a “vaidya-to-be,” I was exposed to a great amount of knowledge, treatment protocols for diseases, and learnt all things ayurvedic from a young age; however, in my village, and in the villages of my ancestors, we had little need for oral care as we understand it nowadays, as our diets were fully alkaline, and we used natural plant products (neem sticks, etc) and other herbs to clean our oral cavity. Not to mention that the lack of processed sugar goods, as well as our overall lifestyle and routine gave us strong healthy bone tissues and minimal teeth issues!

However, over the past decade and more, I’ve had to create formulations to help with the health of the oral cavity of my clients, namely: I urgently needed to make a product capable of binding and removing exogenous material leaching (or previously leached) into the body through the oral cavity.  That material is of course mercury, composited with other metals to make ‘silver’ fillings. While the SVADanta toothpastes and oral mists that I have formulated have proved to be a great addition to peoples’ daily oral care routines, there was still the need for yet another formula to address mercury toxicity. Mercury (along with lead, arsenic, and other metals) when ingested into the body by any means become ‘garvisha.’  ‘Gar’ means ‘slow.’  ‘Visha’ means ‘poison.’  Garvisha slowly poisons the body over many years.  The effects aren’t felt immediately.  Mercury in fillings leaches out into the oral cavity at a very slow but steady pace, getting absorbed through the oral mucosa, and entering the blood stream silently.

Mercury is very powerful! I remember a science class experiment my classmates and I conducted at our ayurvedic college. We placed an metal pin in a vial of mercury.  A few days later we examined the vial.  The pin had vanished! What had happened to it? The following sutra might help us understand the fate that pin endured:

As we gather from this verse, mercury is called rasa because it can ‘consume’ any metal. The pin was dissolved, consumed by the mercury.

Practical wisdom about heavy-metals (mercury, lead, arsenic) is well documented in the Rasa Tantra texts from the Buddhist era of India.  One Puranic story states that Mercury originates in Lord Shiva’s reproductive fluid, or semen. On the other hand, from his consort’s, Parvati’s menstural fluid, we receive sulphur. What do these stories tell us? Associating mercury and sulphur with the seminal and menstrual fluids no doubt highlights their importance as powerful elements. However, further than that, we also gather that mercury and sulphur share an organic bond: as evidenced in labs, suphur carries the special affinity to bind mercury to yield a third less reactive element, called “kajjali” in Sanskrit. Out of all existing chemical elements,  only sulphur is known to carry this power to bind and deactivate the virulence of mercury, and you will learn that some form or other of sulphur is always used in any kind of chelation to remove mercury.

Last week, I was very happy to launch the SVA Sneha Gandush Oral Pulling Oil, adding one more product to the SVADANTA line. This was yet another important step towards my goal of making total natural herbal oral care available to all. The one formula, however, that was still missing in my oral-care ‘arsenal’ is finally here: Rasa Sodhaka Toothpaste and Oral Mists for Oral Chelation with all natural organic ingredients and in two popular flavors: peppermint and fennel. Here is more about them.

RASA SODHAKA – SVA ORAL CHELATION^TM

With organic Cilantro and Brussels sprouts  

Rasa Sodhaka Oral Chelation Toothpaste – Organic Peppermint^TM (strong potency)

 Rasa Sodhaka Oral Chelation Toothpaste – Organic Fennel (mild)^TM

Rasa Sodhaka Oral Chelation Mouthwash – Organic Peppermint^TM (strong potency)

 Rasa Sodhaka Oral Chelation Mouthwash – Organic Fennel (mild)^TM

Rasa Sodhaka comes in two flavors of SVA toothpaste and it comes in two flavors of SVA Oral Mouthwash.  For maximum effectiveness, one should use both the toothpaste and the mouthwash.

The primary ingredients in these formulas that address mercury in the oral cavity are cilantro and Brussels sprouts.  Cilantro leaf is scientifically famous for chelating heavy metals.  Brusselss sprouts have a naturally occurring high content of sulphur molecules.  Sulphur smells bad, no arguing that.  Kids turn up their noses to Brussels sprouts for a reason!  The Brussels sprouts in the Rasa Sodhaka toothpaste and oral mouthwash also carry the sulphurous scent because organic raw materials are used to prepare the formula. However, with SVA formulation know-how, I have balanced the preparation to make these products as palatable as they can be efficient.

Along with Brussels sprouts and cilantro leaf, I have added binders: slippery elm, marshmallow, and gum acacia (in the toothpaste only.)  Together, they bind toxins, neutralize reactivity, lubricate and protect the channels. The coriander oil synergizes with the cilantro leaf and is more penetrating and detoxifying.  Praval pishti and edible bentonite clay protect and nurture the oral cavity, giving long term benefits. Baking Powder alkalizes the oral cavity and helps with rinsing the mouth.

The peppermint toothpaste and mouthwash are formulated with extra Brussels sprout concentration.  They carrt a stronger potency for greater effect.  The milder fennel-based toothpaste and mouthwash are better suited for pitta types, pitta/vata types, and high pitta who may not like the taste of the higher potency of concentrated Brussels sprouts.

SVA Oral Chelation products have no side effects.  They are useful if you currently have silver fillings; previously had silver fillings, and especially useful immediate post mercury amalgam removal.  All SVA Oral Chelation products are SLS free and Paraben free.