| Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the body, | | | | side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. |
| which proves to be destructive and life-threatening | | | | Herbal medicines like Guggul (Commiphora mukul), |
| over a period of time. Cancer is named according to | | | | Indian Podophyllum (Podophyllum hexandrum), |
| the type of cell growth, and the organ or body part | | | | Sadapuli(Lochnera rosea), Ashwagandha (Withania |
| which it affects. Conventional methods of treating | | | | somnifera), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), and Heerak |
| cancer are:- surgery, radiation therapy, | | | | Bhasma are used to reduce tumor size. The mode of |
| chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy. | | | | action is complex; some act directly on the tumor |
| Modern medicine is able to treat or control a majority | | | | cells, while others increase the body immunity and |
| of the cancers seen nowadays, however, a complete | | | | indirectly decrease tumor size. Herbo-mineral |
| cure may not be possible in a significant percentage | | | | combinations like Arogya-Vardhini, Triphala Guggulu |
| of those affected; and side-effects of therapy, and | | | | and Chandraprabha are also useful. |
| recurrence, are major problems. | | | | Treatment of the "Rasa" and "Rakta" doshas forms |
| In this scenario, Ayurvedic herbal medicines have a | | | | an important part of cancer treatment. Medicines like |
| definite and important role to play in the | | | | Saariva ( Hemidesmus indicus), Manjishtha (Rubia |
| management and treatment of cancer. The closest | | | | cordifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Kanchnaar |
| Ayurvedic term for cancer is " Rakta-Arbud", which | | | | (Bauhinia variegata) are very useful for preventing |
| stands for malignant tumor. | | | | the spread of cancer cells in the body. |
| The most important step in any serious disease is | | | | According to the basic principles of Ayurveda, the |
| "prevention". Ayurveda aims at a healthy lifestyle, by | | | | human body consists of seven different, distinct |
| balancing the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects | | | | tissues:- Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja and |
| of life. There is a strong stress on a balanced, | | | | Shukra. The tissues which are affected due to any |
| nourishing diet, regular exercise and relaxation, | | | | specific type of cancer can be directly treated with |
| preventive cleansing of the body at regular intervals, | | | | Ayurvedic medicines, and this forms the third |
| and a holistic approach towards material and spiritual | | | | approach to cancer treatment. |
| needs. | | | | This is, thus, a short overview of the Ayurvedic |
| Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be safely used as an | | | | approach to cancer treatment. The main advantage |
| additional therapy to the modern treatment of | | | | is that the above mentioned principles of cancer |
| different types of cancer. Treatment is | | | | treatment can be applied to any type or form of |
| three-pronged:- (i) reducing the tumor size (ii) | | | | cancer, and treatment can be tailor-made as per the |
| preventing or stopping the spread of tumor cells via | | | | specific requirements of each individual patient. This |
| the blood and lymph ducts and (iii) directly treating | | | | treatment can definitely improve the overall outcome |
| the affected tissues. This treatment also reduces the | | | | and survival rates in cancer. |