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What does science actually say about Ayurveda?
We read the clinical trials so you don't have to. Every herb rated on real evidence — Proven, Promising, or Limited — with every claim linked to its source.
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Ashwagandha Evidence Scorecard: I Read 22 Clinical Trials So You Don't Have To (2026)
I spent three weeks reading every PubMed-indexed RCT on Ashwagandha. Verdict: PROMISING with caveats. Real numbers, real limitations, real Indian-brand context.
InvestigationTop Ashwagandha Brands in India: 8-Way Label-by-Label Comparison (April 2026)
I purchased eight Ashwagandha SKUs from Indian pharmacies and Amazon, then put their labels side-by-side. Branded extract, withanolide percentage, FSSAI status, and price-per-serving — all in one table.
RegulatoryFSSAI Ashwagandha Leaves Advisory: What's Actually Happening (June 2026 Update)
FSSAI's April 2026 advisory tried to prohibit ashwagandha leaves in supplements. Eight companies took it to Karnataka High Court. On May 12 the HC issued a stay. The matter is back in court on June 8. Here is what's actually going on.
Evidence Scorecards
Herbs by verdict
Each scorecard summarizes every available clinical trial — sample sizes, findings, limitations, and an honest verdict.
Boswellia (Shallaki)
9 studies
PROVENAshwagandha
22 studies
PROMISINGTurmeric
17 studies
PROMISINGBrahmi
9 studies
PROMISINGTriphala
9 studies
PROMISINGAmla (Indian Gooseberry)
8 studies
PROMISINGTulsi (Holy Basil)
7 studies
PROMISINGNeem
5 studies
PROMISINGShatavari
5 studies
PROMISINGShilajit
6 studies
LIMITEDGiloy / Guduchi
4 studies
LIMITEDBeyond Scorecards
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Product Comparison
Dabur vs Baidyanath Chyawanprash: A Label-by-Label Comparison (April 2026)
I bought both Dabur and Baidyanath Chyawanprash and compared every line on the label — Amla content, sugar per serving, herb count, FSSAI, MRP. No winner declared, just the facts on each jar.
Product ReviewKapiva Shilajit Gold Review: A Label-First Look at India's Most-Marketed Premium Shilajit
Kapiva Shilajit Gold is one of the most-searched premium Shilajit products in India. I bought it, photographed every label, traced the claims against published evidence, and calculated the actual cost per active dose.
Product ComparisonTop Shilajit Brands in India: 6-Way Label-by-Label Comparison (April 2026)
I bought six Shilajit products from Indian pharmacies and Amazon, then compared every line on the label — fulvic acid percentage, heavy-metal CoA references, FSSAI status, MRP, and form.
Product ComparisonHimalaya vs Patanjali Ashwagandha: A Label-by-Label Comparison (April 2026)
I bought both Himalaya and Patanjali ashwagandha from a Dehradun pharmacy and compared every line on the label — extract type, withanolide percentage, FSSAI, MRP, dose. No winner declared.
Product ComparisonTop Ashwagandha Brands in India: 8-Way Label-by-Label Comparison (April 2026)
I purchased eight Ashwagandha SKUs from Indian pharmacies and Amazon, then put their labels side-by-side. Branded extract, withanolide percentage, FSSAI status, and price-per-serving — all in one table.
Consumer GuideDabur Chyawanprash: What's Actually In It? (Ingredient & Evidence Breakdown 2026)
I read the full ingredient list of Dabur Chyawanprash, calculated the actual sugar content, and checked the published evidence on every key herb. Here's what's in your jar — and what the science says about it.
Consumer GuideGiloy Benefits and Side Effects: The Full Evidence Picture (April 2026)
What does the published evidence actually show about Giloy's benefits and risks? I read every PubMed-indexed RCT and the multi-centre case series — here is the balanced consumer-focused summary.
Consumer GuideShilajit: Gummies vs Capsules vs Resin — Which Form Has the Evidence?
Shilajit comes in three popular forms in India — gummies, capsules, and resin. I checked which forms were used in published clinical trials, and what the bioavailability research shows. The answer is not what most marketing implies.
Consumer GuideTulsi Types Compared: Ram Tulsi vs Krishna Tulsi vs Vana Tulsi (Botany, Compounds, Evidence)
Most Tulsi articles lump all varieties together. I separated Ram, Krishna, and Vana Tulsi by botany, compound profiles, and what published research actually distinguishes between them. Spoiler: less than the marketing implies.
Consumer EducationHow to Read an Ayurvedic Product Label Like an Expert (2026 Guide)
A step-by-step teardown of an Indian Ayurvedic supplement label — FSSAI numbers, extract types, withanolide percentages, branded extracts, red flags, and the 8-point checklist I take to the pharmacy.
Consumer ProtectionShilajit: How to Check If Yours Is Real (5 Tests I Did at Home)
I bought 5 Shilajit products in India and ran every home test on them. Here is what passed, what failed, and how to read the label before you spend Rs 1,500 on coal tar.
Research News5 Ayurveda Clinical Trials Published in 2025-2026 You Should Know About
I tracked the most interesting Ayurveda RCTs published in the last 18 months. Here are five — covering ashwagandha, curcumin, triphala, boswellia, and tulsi — with the methodology, findings, and limitations of each.
Research NewsFSSAI Ashwagandha Leaves Advisory: What's Actually Happening (June 2026 Update)
FSSAI's April 2026 advisory tried to prohibit ashwagandha leaves in supplements. Eight companies took it to Karnataka High Court. On May 12 the HC issued a stay. The matter is back in court on June 8. Here is what's actually going on.
Research NewsHow to Read a Clinical Trial About Ayurvedic Herbs (Without a Medical Degree)
RCT, p-value, double-blind, sample size, effect size — the vocabulary that lets you evaluate any herb claim. A patient walkthrough using real Ayurvedic trials as examples.
Research NewsWHO and AYUSH MoU 2025: What It Actually Means for Ayurveda Research
In May 2025, India's Ministry of AYUSH signed a US$3 million MoU with WHO on traditional medicine. I read the official documents — here is what it actually does, what it doesn't, and what consumers should watch for.
Research NewsWhat Is CCRAS — and Why Their Research Matters for Every Ayurveda User in India
CCRAS is the Indian government's clinical-research arm for Ayurveda. Most consumers have never heard of it. Here's a plain-English explainer of what they do, what they've published, and why it matters.
Myth BustingHaldi Doodh and Cancer: What Oncology Research Actually Shows (2026 Honest Read)
'Haldi doodh fights cancer' is one of India's most common wellness claims. The published oncology research is more nuanced. I read the Phase 1 and 2 trials — here is what they actually report, and what they do not.
Myth BustingOil Pulling Kills Bacteria: What Dental Research Actually Found
Oil pulling is one of the most viral Ayurvedic practices online. The dental research is genuinely interesting — but the 'detox' claims are pure invention. Here is what the published RCTs actually show.
Myth BustingTriphala Reverses Aging: The Telomere Research That's Genuinely Interesting
'Triphala reverses aging' is a viral wellness claim. The preclinical antioxidant and polyphenol research is genuinely interesting. The 'reverses aging' framing is wildly overstated. Here is the honest middle ground.
Myth BustingGiloy During COVID: What Science Actually Found vs What Was Claimed
Giloy was India's most-promoted 'immunity booster' during COVID. Then 43 patients showed up at hepatology clinics across nine cities. I read the published evidence and the case series — here's the honest verdict.
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Every decision we make is designed to earn trust, not clicks.
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Every claim cited
Every factual claim links to its PubMed DOI. You can verify every statement we make.
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No brand money
No supplement company pays us to write content. Editorial verdicts are never influenced by commercial relationships.
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We include negative results
If a study found no significant effect, we report it. Cherry-picking is what brands do.
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India-specific
We compare Himalaya, Patanjali, Kapiva — brands you actually buy. Not US supplements you can't get.
How we work
Research you can verify
01
We read the papers
Every RCT, systematic review, and clinical trial on PubMed. We note sample sizes, durations, journals, and limitations.
02
We rate the evidence
PROVEN means multiple quality RCTs confirm it. PROMISING means some evidence but more trials needed. LIMITED means insufficient human data.
03
We show our sources
Every claim links to its PubMed DOI. You can click through and read the original study yourself.