A dash of gold to perk you up?

When was the last time you ate some gold? Well, believe it or not, Indians top the list of gold-guzzlers, literally! Data available with the World Gold Council (WGC) reveals that Indians have consumed five tonnes of gold in the form of Ayurvedic pills and powders in the span of a decade.
And that’s just the gilt-edged tip of the gold-berg. The gold-consumption statistics for the year 1990 were a measly 0.2 tonnes — a figure which indicates a 2400 per cent jump in a matter of 13 years. The report further states that gold is being successfully used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia, tuberculosis, epilepsy, heart diseases and even diabetes.
According to C Vinod, senior physician at the Arya Vaidya Pharmacy and Research Institute, ‘‘The consumption of gold in the form of Ayurvedic medicines is not a new practise. Ayurvedically speaking, when other herbal medicines fail to reach the appropriate part of the cell, gold is prescribed. The element helps the medicine penetrate through these cells and have a long-lasting effect on the patient.’’
For the uninitiated, gold used for medicinal purposes is purified, powered and used in the form of bhasm (ashes). The element is never consumed directly but is mixed with various other herbs and then administered.
‘Golden’ medicines come at a price. One gram of the the element in medicinal form can be priced anywhere between Rs 1200-1800 and is enough to take care of 10 doses. Elaborates Ayurveda practitioner Mukesh Sharma, ‘‘Gems and metals are often prescribed for those suffering from heart ailments. Some of them work on a subtle, long-term level and fortify longevity. Gold, ruby and garnet stimulate and restore the heart.
Gold also works as an aphrodisiac as well as an anti-aging agent.’’
Talking of aging, gold experts feel that about 50 per cent of gold is consumed for rejuvenation purposes. ‘‘The beauty and cosmetics segment of this sector is picking up with amazing speed worldwide,’’ confirms Heeru Mirchandani, associate director, WGC.
From anti-aging potions to strengthening a weak heart, gold seems to be the mantra of the moment. Gold-maal or worth its weight in gold? One thing’s for sure — sona is in its element!