With the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) executing unannounced anti-doping checks on elite Indian athletes preparing for the Asian Games, specialists warn that consuming herbal supplements could lead to Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF). When tested at international World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) laboratories, these natural remedies pose a significant hazard.
Sources confirm that herbal products are widely used in national training camps. Commonly consumed substances include bhasmas, ashwagandha, shilajit, and kida jadi (Cordyceps sinensis). Kida jadi, a Himalayan fungus typically ingested with honey, is extraordinarily costly, fetching ₹16–20 lakh per kilogram (or roughly ₹1.66 lakh per 100g on online retail platforms).
