• Miss. Amisha S. Jaiswal
• Prof. Shrikant D. Mahajan

This study evaluates the safety of Drakshasava, an Ayurvedic fermented tonic, by analyzing contaminant levels (heavy metals, pesticides, microbial load, and mycotoxins) in five marketed brands (Baidyanath, Dabur, Zandu, Patanjali, and Sandu) against World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Twenty-five samples (five per brand) were tested per WHO Guidelines on Quality Control Methods for Medicinal Plant Materials (1998) and Good Manufacturing Practices for Herbal Medicines (2007). Results revealed significant variability: Dabur, Zandu, and Patanjali complied with WHO limits (e.g., lead ≤10 ppm, DDT ≤0.1 mg/kg, no pathogens, aflatoxins ≤20 ppb), reflecting robust GMP and organic sourcing. Sandu exhibited non-compliance (lead 9.8 ppm, Salmonella in 2/5 samples, aflatoxins 18 ppb), and Baidyanath showed borderline levels (aflatoxins 15 ppb, yeast/mold 500 CFU/g). Variability, confirmed by ANOVA (p<0.05), stemmed from poor raw material screening, unhygienic fermentation, and improper storage. Health risks include neurotoxicity, infections, and carcinogenicity, particularly for vulnerable populations. The study, the first comprehensive contaminant profile of Drakshasava, underscores the need for stringent quality control, recommending WHO-compliant testing, GMP adherence, regulatory oversight, and further research to ensure safety and enhance Ayurveda’s global credibility.

Drakshasava, Ayurvedic Formulation, Contaminant Analysis, Heavy Metals, Pesticides, Microbial Load, Mycotoxins, WHO Standards, Quality Control, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Baidyanath, Dabur, Zandu, Patanjali, Sandu, Lead, DDT, Salmonella, Aflatoxins, Public Health, Neurotoxicity, Carcinogenicity, Organic Sourcing, Fermentation, Storage Conditions, Regulatory Oversight, Consumer Safety, Herbal Medicine, ANOVA, Raw Material Screening, Pharmacovigilance, Global Market, Certification, Herbal Safety, Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, Raw Material Quality, Sterile Processing, Contamination Sources, Soil Pollution, Pesticide Residues, Microbial Contamination, Aflatoxin Risks, Regulatory Compliance, AYUSH Ministry, Batch Traceability, Third-Party Testing, Consumer Trust, Vulnerable Populations, Rasayana, Fermentation Hygiene, Packaging Standards, Statistical Analysis, Longitudinal Studies, Global Ayurveda, Market Credibility

"Comparative Determination Of Potential Contaminants In Drakshasav Herbal Formulation As Per WHO", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 7, page no.l1-l47, July-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRTHE2217.pdf

"Comparative Determination Of Potential Contaminants In Drakshasav Herbal Formulation As Per WHO", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 7, page no. ppl1-l47, July-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIRTHE2217.pdf