Cancer is a disease that is very complicated in nature with complexity at a different level—anatomy, physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and gene expression. So cancer treatment is a challenge in itself. Various techniques are employed to treat cancer including surgery, Radio, and Chemotherapy. But these are either only for reducing the immediate complications or for slowing down the proliferation or basically aim at killing the cancerous cells.
But this treatment is not 100% successful as the mutation of normal cells to cancer cells continues even after the treatment. Consequently, the size of the cancerous tumors also increases. Due to the effect of Chemo/Radio, the immunity of surrounding healthy cells decreases therefore the patient is already becoming prone to cancer. That’s why the possibility of metastasis & relapse increases. Similarly, toxic medicines used in Chemo can’t differentiate between normal and cancer cells and hence act on them equally which stops all the cell division either normal or cancerous. This deteriorates the patient’s condition. Ayurvedic cancer treatment helps to overcome such situations.
Side Effects of Chemo and Radiotherapy
- Vomiting, nausea
- Dehydration
- Mouth ulcer with pain
- Gastric Ulcer
- Cardiac problem
- Anemia
- Skin infection
- Severe weakness
- Irregular menses
- Severely low immunity
- Renal toxicity
- Loss of body hairs
- Loss of appetite
- Hepatic insufficiency
These side effects are dealt with with Ayurvedic Medicine & Therapies.
Ayurveda plays both a curative and supportive role in the treatment of cancer. Ayurvedic medicines help to improve the quality of life of the patient. Tumor gets localized first, reducing the chances of metastasis in other parts and eventually eradicated from the body.
We follow a holistic approach to our treatment. We provide Ayurvedic treatment for cancer as an adjuvant with Allopathic Medicine & Therapies. Yuktivyapashraya suggests Panchakarma for the treatment. Panchakarma has five purification steps – Vamana, Virechana, Vasti, Nasyam, and Raktmokshana. All three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) are balanced by these techniques and the possibility of recurrence is completely removed. Mantra, Marma Therapy & Satavajaya (Dhyan Kriya) is also advised.
Ayurvedic Treatment for cancer
Ayurvedic treatment for cancer is divided into three phases.
Phase 1 Detoxification
It implies the internal cleaning of the entire body system with the help of Panchakarma therapies. The purification procedure is termed as Shodhana Chikitsa. It is done in 3 ways. Internal Purification is the purification of visceral organs using internal medicines. External purification implies the usage of external medicines like medicinal paste, specially formulated oils, etc. Lastly is the purification of blood.
Phase 2 Treatment
Treatment depends upon the stage of cancer, its spread, patients’ overall physical and mental condition. The clinical history, type of treatment availed in past are also considered in determining the protocol of the treatment. Constant monitoring of the patient’s response to the medicines and treatment & ‘nadipariksha’ (pulse diagnosis) is important. Treatment can be changed accordingly.
Phase 3 Rejuvenation
Before the patient can discontinue the medicine and treatment it is important to assess the patient’s condition and confirm that patient’s body is free from cancer cells. To lead a normal healthy life after the treatment, rejuvenation of the body organs is necessary. This is the last phase known as “Rasayana”.
Please note that it’s not necessary that the three phases are followed in the case of every patient. Obviously, the condition of the patient is important at that time.
Ayurvedic treatment for cancer lays stress on Ras-Rasayan Medicines & Panchakarma for Cancerous tumors. It says the medicine helps to dissolve/liquefy the tumor. The same can be investigated later with the latest techniques like PET CT scan. The tumor mass is eventually expelled out of the body. Tumor dries up by the liquefaction technique. This process takes 3-4 months but if the tumor is related to bone it may take a longer period.
Ayurvedic Treatment is based on Rejuvenate the cell theory which works at the genetic level. It basically believes that cancerous cells can rejuvenate into the normal healthy cells.
According to Devovyapashrya treatment, our mind and body are totally influenced by nature. The three doshas, their status in the body varies with the season. Treatment of the physical body is not the only concern, mind and soul also play an important role. Satavavajay signifies Psychotherapy as mind and soul have their own nature and disorders. A disease when affects the body has its influence on the mind also and vice-versa. So treatment should also involve both the physical body and mind.
Ayurvedic Treatment helps to eliminate cancer through the following ways:
1) Adjuvant or Co-therapy Along With Chemotherapy or Radiation therapy
Chemotherapy is the first treatment described in the metastatic tumors (which is given even after surgery). It reduces the fast multiplication of tumor cells. However, it lowers the immunity of the surrounding healthy body cells thus making the patient more susceptible to the disease.
The use of antioxidants & free radical scavenger herbs can enhance the immunity & energy levels during the Chemo, thus we can improve the quality of life of the patient. Snehana or Ghritt Panam is also administered prior to Chemo or Radio sessions as it reduces the side effects & helps patient to tolerate both.
2. Slower the spread and progress of cancer
Chemo & radiotherapy is not indicated in some cases due to reasons like age factor, body resistance, origin and location of cancer, related side effects, etc. In such cases, there is no option left. Ayurveda helps in these cases by slowing the spread and progress of cancer. The complete treatment protocol followed in Ayurveda increases the overall immunity of the body.
3. Anti-tumor Plant Drugs
There are many herbs that have been listed in Ayurveda for its anti-tumor /anti-cancer properties. Some plants help in dealing with the side-effects of Chemo. Every plant contains thousands of substances like alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and other molecules with bioactivity. Ayurvedic medicine for cancer may consist of a different kinds of elements from various herbs.
Comprehensive studies at various Cancer Institute in different parts of the world suggest the use of different plants for the treatment of cancer or tumors. Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Centre (CCNSC) in the USA, Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) at Lucknow(India), Cancer Research Institute (CRI) in Bombay(India), and many other institutes have examined several plant extracts & have come up with many herbs that hold potential to treat cancer.
4. Cell Protective Activity
Various drugs are prescribed in Rasayana Therapy to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. As discussed, allopathic cancer treatment has various side effects but in Ayurveda, many herbs are known which can protect cells from various toxic effects.
For example Blood transfusions during the treatment on regular basis lead to the development of chronic iron overload in the body which has serious side effects like cirrhosis of the liver, cardiac problems, etc. Our Ayurvedic treatment helps to cope with all such issues.
It is true that none of the available treatments is perfect. Research is going on in various fields and branches of medicine for the development of better medicines and treatment protocols. In nut shell we can say that Ayurvedic treatment is useful both ways, it adds years to life and also adds life to years. That’s what we believe in “WE PUT LIFE INTO LIFE”.