Objective
To get an idea of the different drugs that treat cancer and how the patient’s situation can be improved during treatment. What are the goals of Ayurvedic cancer treatment?
The main difference between Western and Ayurvedic cancer treatment is that Ayurveda has no harsh body treatments. Ayurveda stimulates the body’s self-healing abilities.
Ayurveda offers a wide range of therapies and herbs to cleanse and support body tissues for natural recovery.
The starting point is to balance Tridosha and Triguna. Ayurveda can determine subtle changes at a very early stage of this disease. Even before it manifests, Ayurveda can already cause disturbances in the balance of mind and body.
In the first and subsequent stages, Ayurveda can help the patient recover and prevent serious chronic diseases. At all stages, even when a chronic disease like cancer has been diagnosed, Ayurveda can provide insight into herbs and treatment strategies.
During chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, Ayurveda can help reduce the side effects of treatment, as well as help the body in its recovery process.
A chronic disease like cancer not only disturbs the body, it also affects the mind. When someone is stuck in their development, they can be frustrated. It will unbalance the mind and lead to all sorts of symptoms such as hyperactivity, lethargy, apathy, or even depression.
The last three are mental attitudes which Ayurveda calls “tamasic”, the negative aspect of Tamas. Tamas bears a strong resemblance to the Tridosha Kapha. When a chronic disease like cancer develops, Tamas and Kapha can reinforce each other.
Ayurveda considers psychotherapy an important part of treatment. Because health can only be achieved by balancing body, mind, and spirit.
When radiotherapy or chemotherapy is the only possible means, the body becomes severely exhausted. There are Ayurvedic remedies to help the body in this process; to maintain your strength, you need all your energy in your recovery process.
Limit the amount of protein in your diet to slow tumor growth. To a large extent, tumors contain proteins. In case of loss of appetite, eat several small meals instead of three large meals. Drink a little more before and after meals.
Avoid cold foods as they suppress the digestive fire. If solid foods cause problems, replace them with nutritious soups. Use herbs to boost the immune system. In case of nausea, use ginger.
Pancha Karma is recommended for activating the body’s self-healing ability, calming the Doshas and Gunas, and removing excess Kapha and toxins from the body.
Depending on the cause (V/P/K), the site of the tumor, and the patient’s strength, large parts of the body’s channels are cleared and the Dhatus is nourished and revitalized with herbs, diet, and complementary therapies.
After chemotherapy, Pancha Karma will be beneficial for the recovery of the body and mind. Ayurvedic medicine goes beyond “rigorous treatment of symptoms”.
What can we do with Ayurveda to improve the disease process of a cancer patient?
Ayurveda stimulates the body’s self-healing abilities. Ayurveda offers a wide range of therapies and herbs to cleanse and support body tissues for natural recovery.
The starting point is to balance Tridosha and Triguna. Ayurveda can determine subtle changes at a very early stage of this disease.
Even before it manifests, Ayurveda can already cause disturbances in the balance of mind and body. In the first and subsequent stages, Ayurveda can help the patient recover and prevent serious chronic diseases.
At all stages, even when a chronic disease like cancer has been diagnosed, Ayurveda can provide insight into herbs and treatment strategies.
During chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, Ayurveda can help reduce the side effects of treatment, as well as help the body in its recovery process.
How can Ayurveda help prevent and cure cancer?
Ayurveda advises us to live according to our daily and seasonal constitution and rhythm, and once in a while Pancha Karma treatment, to prevent or restore the imbalance of Doshas and Dhatus, and various conditions can be relieved at an early stage.
Use herbs prescribed by your Ayurvedic doctor and be sure to get plenty of exercises or walks in nature. Practice meditation and yoga for mental and physical relaxation, and listen to harmonious music to heal and calm the mind.
Try to have more sattvic foods to balance body and mind Doshas and Gunas respectively. Sattwic foods consist of fresh and energizing foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables (leaves), milk, cereals, pure fruit juices, butter and cream cheese, fresh nuts, seeds, sprouts, honey, and herbal teas. No snacks or fast food or ready meals.
Avoid microwave ovens and limit meat consumption, especially red meat. Vitamin D has a protective effect on the development of tumors, oily fish, eggs, and vegetable oils are natural sources of vitamin D. Ayurveda has always looked to nature for inspiration from the practice of medicine and uses natural resources wisely. Natural.
Ayurveda is an ancient system of knowledge of life (ayuh) (Veda) practiced in India for over 5,000 years. The great Rishis or seers of ancient India came to understand creation through deep meditation and other spiritual practices.
They examined the foundations of life, organized them into an elaborate system, and compiled the philosophical and spiritual texts of India called the Veda of Knowledge. Ayurveda finds its roots deeply rooted in the Vedas.
The Vedas are ancient Hindu scriptures very near and dear to Hindu hearts. There are four Vedas: Rig, Yajur, Sama, and Atharva Veda.
References to Ayurveda found in the Vedas are related to various topics such as human anatomy and physiology, theory of Tridoshas (three biological forces) and Panchamahabhuta (five photographic elements), etiology of diseases, classification of diseases, the medicinal use of herbs, various types of treatment, dietetics, medical ethics, health following a moral code of conduct, etc.
Ayurveda is a careful integration of six major Indian philosophical systems, numerous physical/behavioral sciences, and medical arts.
The history of Ayurveda
Ayurveda strives to cure the sick, maintain the health of healthy people, and prevent diseases in order to promote quality of life and long life.
Body, senses, mind, and soul are called Life. Also known as Nityaga (the constantly passing one). A tripod of spirit, soul, and body sustains Life. A combination of these three is called Purusha (human being), the main theme of Ayurveda.
Life according to Ayurveda can also be studied from another angle, called Prana. By Prana, Ayurveda means a wholesome combination of following Satva, Raja, Tamas, Vayu, Agni, Soma, the five sense organs, and Atma.
Here Satva, Rajas, and Tamas are the mental Gunas (qualities), and Vayu, Agni, and Soma represent Vata, Pitta, and Kapha (the three senses of humor). A deficiency in any of them causes illness or death.
Tripod Satva, Atma, Shareera, are three pillars to sustain life.
Satva
The mind deals with the process of thinking and intellectual understanding that arises from knowledge and the ability to retain knowledge and use it. A true balance of mind is very important for the well-being of an individual.
Practicing the right use of the mind not only solves psychological problems but also directs us to our highest potential for personal fulfillment.
Atma: Soul
Jeevatma is the individual soul, known as the living entity. Paramatma is the Super-Soul, known as the Supreme Lord, residing in the hearts of all living entities as a witness. He is never affected by sorrows or joys, he is the observer. When Jeevatma leaves the body, he dies.
Participant: Body
At the time of conception, the Atma enters the sperm and the ovum. Atma converts some of the Panchamahabhoota of the two cells into new life entities.
Health is not the mere absence of disease but is defined as an experience of happiness in the soul, mind, and senses.
Health is a good balance between the three governing forces of the body, the seven tissues, the three waste products, digestion, and other processes such as immune function.
Ayurveda places more emphasis on the prevention of diseases than on their cure. Sushruta, an eminent ancient scholar and author of Sushruta Samhita, the Surgical Text, defined the state of health.
According to his teachings, a person whose Dosha, Agni (digestive fire), Dhatus (tissues) and Malas (excretory functions) are in balance and his soul and body – indriyas (higher functions) and Mana (spirit) are happy; then the goal of Ayurveda is achieved.
Health is called ‘Swasthya’ in Ayurveda: one who remains in his ‘Swa’ (I). ‘Swa’ also denotes ‘Prakriti’ or constitution, which makes the concept of ‘Swa’ different from person to person.
Ayurveda classifies people into three groups according to the predominance of three basic biological forces or energies or humors of life called Kapha, Pitta, and Vata.
The structure of the human body, according to Ayurveda, is made up of five major elements, the Panchamahabhoota and the Tridosha (three working entities). Tridosha is made up of Panchamahabhoota.
Cancer and Ayurvedic Herbal Medicines
Cancer has been a constant battle across the world with much development in treatments and preventative therapies.
The disease is characterized by cells in the human body continually multiplying with the inability to control or stop them. Consequently, the formation of malignant cell tumors can be metastatic.
Current treatments include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemical-derived drugs. Treatments like chemotherapy can put a lot of stress on patients and further damage their health. Therefore, the focus is on the use of alternative cancer treatments and therapies.
For many years, medicinal plants have been and continue to be used in developing countries as the main source of medical treatment.
Plants have been used medicinally for their natural antiseptic properties. Therefore, research has been developed to investigate the properties and potential uses of terrestrial plant extracts for the preparation of potential nanomaterial-based drugs for diseases such as cancer.
Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years in the traditional medicine of Asian and African populations, and many plants are consumed for their health benefits in developed countries.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), some nations still respond to herbal treatment as the main source of medicine, and developing countries are using the benefits of natural compounds for therapeutic purposes.
Compounds that have been identified and extracted from land plants for their anticancer properties include polyphenols, brassinosteroids, and taxols.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera – Indian ginseng)
Reduces Vata/Kapha (with excess Pitta), an immune system-boosting herb that supports the recovery process from general fatigue and nervous conditions and generally rejuvenates tissues.
Ashwagandha has a sweet, astringent, and bitter taste (Rasa), and has a sweet post-digestive effect (vipaka) and a hot potency (virya).
It nourishes all dhatus (tissues) and has rejuvenating properties (Rasayana). Increases sexual vigor and vitality (vajikara) in both sexes.
It has attributes such as laghu (light) and Snigdha (unctuous). It is beneficial for a wide range of problems. It is a mild diuretic that reduces excess body fluids.
It is also beneficial in blood disorders as it purifies the blood. In edema due to anemia, the medicated milk of Aswagandha is very helpful.
Many studies show that Ashwagandha works in several ways to help prevent or stop the growth of the often fatal disease of cancer.
- Antioxidant protection of normal cells against cancer
- Pro-oxidant attacks against cancer cells.
- Increases the effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy against cancer cells.
- Protects normal cells from damage caused by conventional cancer treatment.
- Stops angiogenesis – the creation of new blood vessels that feed cancer and help it grow and spread.
- It Binds and blocks proteins that cancers need to grow
Ashwagandha prevents cancer from growing and spreading by stopping cell division and inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels that feed voracious cancer cells.
Shatavari (Asparagus Racemosus)
Shatavari Reduces Vata/Pitta and increases Kapha. The immune-boosting herb promotes digestion and helps fight stomach ulcers, inflammation, and chronic fevers.
It helps in menopausal conditions and tissue production. Shatavari has a sweet and sour taste (rasa), a sweet post-digestive effect (vipaka), and a cold potency (virya).
It has heavy (guru), smooth (snighda) and soft (mrdu) attributes. The main properties are fresh, rejuvenating, tonic, galactagogue, aphrodisiac, anabolic, and beneficial for the eyes.
Shatavari increases appetite and stimulates the liver. It is effective for the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Guduchi (Tinosporia cordifolia)
Guduchi helps to Balance Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), helps increase the efficiency of protective white blood cells and strengthens the body’s defense mechanism (immune system), very effective herb for life and helps to prevent liver infections, beneficial for digestive disorders, particularly recommended before and after chemotherapy, to recover and strengthen.
Guduchi tastes bitter, pungent, and astringent (rasa), sweet in post-digestive effect (vipaka), and hot in potency (virya). It has light (laghu) and oily (snighda) attributes.
Internally, Guduchi is one of the most effective Rasayanas-Rejuvenators. It works well on the seven Dhatus – Tissues and keeps the systems in balance.
It is extremely helpful for digestive conditions like hyperacidity, colitis, worm infestations, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, vomiting, and liver disorders like hepatitis.
Triphala (Amalaki=Emblica Officinalis Bibhitaki=Terminalia Bellirica, Haritaki=Terminalia chebula)
Balances Tridosha (excess Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and promotes normal appetite and good digestion. Increases red blood cells and hemoglobin.
It eliminates excess Kapha and helps eliminate unwanted fats, useful in diabetes. It promotes natural internal cleansing, nourishes and rejuvenates tissues, and is a natural antioxidant.
Triphala is known for its anticancer properties. A toxicity study showed Triphala to be non-toxic up to a dose of 240 mg/kg.
One of the studies stated that it is a good radioprotective agent. It is helpful in reducing the growth of cancerous tumor cells in the body.
It is useful in the prevention of cancer and also has antineoplastic, radioprotective, and chemoprotective effects.
Triphala slows the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. Scientists found that tumors in mice treated with Triphala were half the size of those in untreated mice, with no side effects on normal pancreatic cells.
It helps to reduce spindle formations, which reduces the risk of cancer cell metastasis growing. Triphala was effective in reducing tumor incidence and increasing antioxidants.
Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) – Saint Basil.
Calms Vata and Kapha and increases Pitta. It lights the digestive fire and is a heart tonic. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
It reduces the effect of chronic stress, promotes wound healing, lowers blood sugar in type II diabetes, improves memory, and lowers cholesterol.
It benefits the immune system, prevents tumors, and is especially beneficial in the early stages of many types of tumors.
Tulasi tastes pungent and bitter (rasa), pungent in post-digestive effect (vipaka), and has hot potency (virya). It has light (laghu) and dry (ruksa) attributes.
On the contrary, the seeds are oily (Snigdha) and slimy (picchila) in attributes and have cold potency (virya). Tulasi is healthy for increasing appetite and improving digestion.
Other Foods to Prevent Cancer
Foods that help prevent and inhibit the growth of tumors are raisins, soaked in water, beetroot detoxifies the liver such as beetroot juice and herbal soup according to your constitution, raw beetroot, carrot juice has anticancer properties when used for 3 months, turmeric (turmeric) powder, in the morning with a glass of warm water, is antibacterial, stops bleeding, heals tissues and is a powerful anti-inflammatory.
Note:
Never use vegetable oils like corn, soy, canola, sunflower, etc., as these are pro-inflammatory, cancer-contributing oils that are often rancid and genetically modified.
When combined with other powerful nutrients such as fish oil, olive oil or coconut oil, and/or black pepper, the anti-cancer effects of curcumin are further amplified as it becomes more available to the body.
Piperine, the phytochemical in black pepper that gives it its pungent flavor, increases the absorption of curcumin by up to 2,000%.
Apparently, even a small pinch of black pepper (just 1/20 teaspoon) can have significant positive absorption effects in the body.
Eating whole fresh turmeric root is best, and mixing natural oil with it can improve curcumin intake by up to seven to eight times.
Herbs are used when side effects of allopathic medicine
i.Diarrhea – Bilva, Amla
ii. Constipation – Haritaki
iii. Insomnia – Jatamansi
iv. Fatigue – Ball
v. Memory Decline: Brahmi, Haritaki, Vacha
vi. Hair Loss – Brahmi Oil, Bringaraj
Classic Ayurveda and cancer
“Arbuda” is the Sanskrit word for tumor. According to Sushrut, the three Doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) when aggravated can develop a malignant tumor; particularly aggravated Kapha and Vata Doshas. This affects the tissues, which can lead to the development of a malignant tumor.
This tumor will have the following characteristics
A. Round
B. Signature
C. Cause mild pain
D. Length
E. Deeply rooted in the body
F. Slow growth
G. without suppuration
H. A swollen, fleshy growth
A malignant tumor does not suppurate because it contains excess Kapha and fatty tissue, forming firm balls.
Sushruta (The Sushruta Samhita is the main surgical text in Ayurveda of the surgeon Sushruta. Ashtanga) describes 6 types of tumors; the first four are benign and can be successfully treated at an early stage with appropriate therapies. The last two tumors are malignant.
Tumor caused by
- Vatika Granthi Vata Dosha
- Paitika Granthi Pitta Dosha
- Kaphaja Granthi Kapha Dosha
- Medas Granthi Adipose Tissue Affected
- Rakta Arbuda (blood tumor) Affected blood (malignant)
- Mamsa Arbuda (muscle tumor) Affected muscle tissue (malignant)
Symptoms of benign tumors
Tumor caused by
Vatika Granthi :
Variable in burning, pointed, large, black, mobile, swelling or shrinking, hard mass, Vata aggravated
Paitika Granthi :
Burning sensation, yellow or red color, develops rapidly, Pitta aggravated
Kaphaja Granthi :
No pain, large hard lump, cold, skin color, itching, Kapha aggravation
Rakta Granthi (Blood):
Aggravated Vata, Pitta, and Kapha circulate in the bloodstream with Pitta Dosha being the main cause of the disorder.
Mamsa Granthi (muscle tissue) :
Excess consumption of inappropriate types of meat.
Medas Granthi (Tissue Cloth) :
Fat, soft, mobile. Altered Kapha-like symptoms; increases or decreases in size with the patient’s weight gain or loss. Vata transports fat to muscle tissue or skin.
Asthi Granthi (bone tissue):
Fractures or injuries in the bone, which accumulate Vata.
Sira Granthi (channels) :
Strongly accumulated Vata, weakens the consistency of the blood which enters the channels of the body.
Vrana Granthi (ulcer) :
Excessive consumption of all types of food during ulcer healing.