DOOSHI VISHA (LEAD): THE HIDDEN TROJAN HORSE IN THE BODY

By nature dooshi visha (Impoverished/Impotent/weak poison) is having poor potency and doesn’t kill the person quickly and remains in the body for many years and it doesn’t prove fatal unless exposed for longer duration, taking lead as an example for dooshi visha. There are multiple sources of lead in the environment which pose a unique threat to adults and in particular developing minds of young children. The effects of lead depend on the age of the individual at the time of exposure, and the level and longevity of exposure. The primary source of exposure for adults is in the workplace, air pollution and traffic. For children, the primary exposure is from dust formed from deteriorated lead-based paint or varnish and lead painted toys. The lead dust makes its way into the body through normal hand-to-mouth activities of very young children. This article provides information on the history of lead as a toxin, how the body metabolizes lead, the toxicity of lead, and the most common sources and routes of lead exposure.