Hidden in Plain Sight: Everyday Products You Didn't Know Were "Ayurvedic Medicine"

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Eno is an over-the-counter antacid brand. Its main ingredients are sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid.

In India, it is sold as a Proprietary Ayurvedic Medicine by GSK. The ingredients listed on the packaging are - Svarjiksara (Shudh) and Nimbukamlam (Shushkam)

According to Steris Pharma which sells a Eno-like Ayurvedic product called GASOSTRUM JEERA and has similar ingredients, here's what their Sanskrit meanings denote:

Svarjiksara is also known as purified or processed borax. It is a white crystalline substance derived from borax and is used in Ayurvedic medicine for its therapeutic properties. Svarjiksara is believed to have antacid, digestive, and detoxifying effects.

"Nimbukamlam (Shushkam)" could potentially mean dried lemon. Lemons are used in Ayurveda for their digestive and detoxifying properties. 

Leveraging his expertise as a hepatologist,  Dr. Cyriac Abby Philips, aka "The Liver Doc," tackles misconceptions surrounding alternative medicine through research and engaging social media discussions.

The Liver Doc's take on Eno:

Svarjiksara shudh is Sodium Bicarbonate and Nimbukamlam Shushkam is Citric Acid.

How beautifully the alternative medicine industry take Indians for a ride is the ultimate sucker punch.

..."by getting an Ayurvedic classification, it allowed GSK to increase distribution beyond chemists and escape any possible price control. Lots of “ayurvedic” medicines are the same".

Happydent, a chewing gum brand owned by Perfetti Van Melle is marketed as Proprietary Ayurvedic Medicine in India.


Happydent is sold in many countries. In Sri Lanka, the Happydent chewing gum packaging  shows Sugar, Salt and Fat content very prominently and the ingredients for what they are in plain understandable English -

Decode the labels to make informed choices.

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