Cancer, which is characterized by uncontrolled multiplication of cells, remains largely incurable due to its ability to spread rapidly and lots of complications. The spread of the disease is very fast so curative measures should be taken as early as possible. The aim of treatment in modern science is to kill the affected cells but it runs with the risk of affecting the neighboring normal cells. Ayurvedic management helps to improve the quality of life of cancer patients and works as adjuvant therapy even in critical patients. Rejuvenation and panchakarma treatments provide life to such patients.
Introduction
Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases. Ayurveda, a traditional Indian medicine of plant medicines, has been successful from very early times in preventing or suppressing various tumors by using these natural medicines and using various lines of treatment. The broad objective of this article is to provide a general outline on the description of cancers and their management from the point of view of Ayurvedic practitioners, including the scientific principles involved in treating these conditions with the use of natural products. This article reviews the available literature regarding research on anti-cancer Ayurvedic herbs and also includes a summary of treatment strategies for various cancers. It is written with the intention to raise awareness and encourage the implementation of Ayurvedic treatments to combat cancer and to suggest an integrated approach in tumor management and treatment.Historical Perspective
The term "cancer" may be new to Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old Indian system of medicine that relies on natural substances for treatment. But the ancient Ayurvedic classics are aware of clinical symptoms resembling cancer under names such as apachi, gulma, granthi, arbuda. Identification, gulma, granthi, arbuda. Identification and description of malignant diseases are available in the literature of ancient India and Ayurveda. The oldest and so far recorded is cited in the Atharvaveda (2200 BC). During this period his disease was probably described under the title of apachi or apachi, which refers to the current knowledge of various types of lymph node swelling. In later times, Sushruta (800 B.C.) in his classic treatise “Sushruta Samhita” described this apachi as multiple lymph node swellings that may arise in various places like neck, armpits and groin. The classical texts of Ayurveda describe “Arbuda” – a type of swelling; it is described in detail under the apachi chapter. According to Sushruta, swelling, which is round, fixed, large and deep seated, slow growing, slightly painful, non-painful and appears like fleshy mass is called arbuda. It may arise in any part of the body due to disorganization of muscles affected by tridosha. The word arbuda is derived from the root “arba” with the suffix “ana” along with the corruption of “nda” which means “to destroy”. Grammatically, it refers to fleshy growth. The literary meaning of arbuda is a lump or mass or polyp.Cancer In Ayurveda
Cancer is described in Ayurvedic literature as inflammation or non-inflammatory swellings and they are described as Granthi or Arbuda. Ayurvedic literature defines three body control systems, namely, nervous system (Vata or Vayu), venous system (Pitta or Agni), and arterial system (Kapha or Water) which coordinate with each other to perform the normal functioning of the body. In benign neoplasms (Vataja, Pittaja or Kaphaja) one or two of the three body systems go out of control and it is not very harmful as the body is still trying to coordinate between these systems. Malignant tumors (Sannipataja) are very harmful as all the three body systems lose mutual coordination and thus cannot prevent tissue damage, resulting in fatal morbid condition.Ayurveda Can Do Wonders
Ayurvedic principles can prove to be a boon for terminally ill cancer patients. Ayurveda can be helpful in the management of cancer in many ways such as prophylactic, palliative, curative and adjuvant. Listed below are the Ayurvedic medicines that help improve the quality of life of patients1)Ayurvedic preparations can act as adjuvant or co-therapy with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It is also helpful in post-surgery care.
2)Ayurvedic medicine helps reduce the side effects of these treatments.
3) Ayurveda helps in reducing the therapeutic dose of various drugs as has been proved in some studies using cow urine.
4)They can be helpful in targeting specific tissues as has been shown in some allopathic studies on gold nano particles.
5) Ayurvedic preparations help in slowing down the progression of cancer in cases where chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery is contraindicated for some reasons and patients have no other option.
6) Some Ayurvedic preparations can fight tumors.
7) The cell protective activity of the drugs mentioned in chemotherapy helps in improving the quality of life of cancer patients.
According to the modern concept the aim of cancer treatment is to kill the affected cells for which radiotherapy, chemotherapy etc. are suggested. It has been observed that when surgery takes place or biopsy is taken, the number of cancer cell increases a lot. That is why people are afraid of them. If any cancer cell remains untouched, it has the ability to multiply at a fast rate. That is why the chances of metastasis and recurrence increase. Similarly the toxic drugs used in chemotherapy stop all cell divisions whether cancerous or normal. The patient experiences symptoms for a few days but gets some relief but it has many side effects, it recurs and metastasises in many parts of the body.
Side Effects Of Chemotherapy And Radiotherapy
Nausea - Severe weakness
Vomiting - Low immunity
Pain Mouth ulcers with- anemia
Loss of appetite- kidney toxicity
Gastric ulcers - Cardiac problems
Loss of body hair,- hepatic insufficiency - Skin reactions
Ayurvedic Approach In Cancer Treatment
The treatment of cancer is based on cell regeneration theory, which works at the DNA level. For this, first we need to know how cancer occurs. According to the Evolution theory, when the ecological factor of an animal changes to such an extent that the animal is unable to survive, it develops a tendency to change its form. A similar situation occurs with the part of the body which is sick for a long time. That part does not follow the instructions of the brain. This is called "cancer". Panchkarma is suggested according to Yuktyavyaapashraya. There are five steps of Panchkarma- Vamana, Virechana, Vasti, Nasya, Raktamokshana. After these five major purification steps, recurrence of the disease ends completely. Panchkarma treatment balances Vata, Pitta, Kapha. In other words, Panchkarma is complete detoxification and purification of every cell of the body.According to Ayurveda, cancer can be cured with Rasa Rasayan. Rasa Rasayan means mercury and other metals like gold, silver, copper, zinc, iron etc. Gems like ruby, pearl, diamond etc. are also used as Bhasma in the manufacture of medicines. Purification of mercury is very important because it is very deadly in its natural form. There are many doubts about ash in modern science. Now we have become familiar with Nana Technology. The method of Bhasma is based on this. Cancer of any stage means uncontrolled multiplication of cells and metastasis can be controlled within 1-3 months.
Concept Of Cancer In Ayurveda
The process of dissolution of tumor depends upon the size of tumor and also the necrosis within the tumor; if it is badly necrotic then surgical intervention may be necessary. Rasa-Rasayana medicines and Panchkarma can completely destroy the cancer tumor. In case of maceration of the tumor, it gets converted into an irregular mass. This can be seen by CT Scan/MRI/Ultrasound. Sometimes the tumor may increase in size due to irregular shape of liquefied tumor. No surgical procedure is used to dissolve and remove the tumor; it is slowly absorbed by veins and lymph and gets eliminated from the body. The entire process takes 3-4 months to complete. If it is present in the bone then it takes a little more time. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy will not be required.Treatment of tumor through Ayurvedic method of surgery is decided on the following basis: :If tumor is present on the outer surface of the body then it is treated with the following Ayurvedic method :If tumor is present inside the body, Ayurveda advises to wait for 1 -2 months and then go for modern surgery for repair. In Devvyapashraya treatment of Ayurveda, the help of astrologers is also taken because our body and mind are completely connected and influenced by nature. The condition of the doshas of the human body keeps changing according to the seasons. Seasonal change is due to the planets like Sun, Moon etc. Satvajaya is psychotherapy because man is not just a body but also mind and soul. They have their own nature and disorders too. If any disease arises in the body then it also affects the mind and vice versa. The energy of the body travels through the Kundalini (Power House) which is related to the endocrine glands of the human body. The hormones secreted by these glands are responsible for maintaining the vital functions of the body.
Conclusion
Ayurvedic practitioners have a good understanding of the etiology, symptoms, clinical manifestations, classification, malignant and benign nature of tumors, metastasis, recurrence, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment. It is noteworthy that the basic knowledge is quite consistent with the current knowledge in these areas. Various treatment methods both local and systemic and various herbal formulations found useful in many tumors have been presented. Malignant tumors must be completely removed because if even a fraction of the affected cells are left then there is a possibility of it growing many times. Ayurvedic approach is completely different and remarkably efficient which can help a lot and help the patient to live a healthy life.
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AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
