Cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the body, which proves to be destructive and life-threatening over a period of time. Cancer is named according to the type of cell growth, and the organ or body part which it affects. Conventional methods of treating cancer are:- surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy.
Modern medicine is able to treat or control a majority of the cancers seen nowadays, however, a complete cure may not be possible in a significant percentage of those affected; and side-effects of therapy, and recurrence, are major problems.
In this scenario, Ayurvedic herbal medicines have a definite and important role to play in the management and treatment of cancer. The closest Ayurvedic term for cancer is " Rakta-Arbud", which stands for malignant tumor.
The most important step in any serious disease is "prevention". Ayurveda aims at a healthy lifestyle, by balancing the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of life. There is a strong stress on a balanced, nourishing diet, regular exercise and relaxation, preventive cleansing of the body at regular intervals, and a holistic approach towards material and spiritual needs.
Ayurvedic herbal medicines can be safely used as an additional therapy to the modern treatment of different types of cancer. Treatment is three-pronged:- (i) reducing the tumor size (ii) preventing or stopping the spread of tumor cells via the blood and lymph ducts and (iii) directly treating the affected tissues. This treatment also reduces the side-effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Herbal medicines like Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Indian Podophyllum (Podophyllum hexandrum), Sadapuli(Lochnera rosea), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), and Heerak Bhasma are used to reduce tumor size. The mode of action is complex; some act directly on the tumor cells, while others increase the body immunity and indirectly decrease tumor size. Herbo-mineral combinations like Arogya-Vardhini, Triphala Guggulu and Chandraprabha are also useful.
Treatment of the "Rasa" and "Rakta" doshas forms an important part of cancer treatment. Medicines like Saariva ( Hemidesmus indicus), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Kanchnaar (Bauhinia variegata) are very useful for preventing the spread of cancer cells in the body.
According to the basic principles of Ayurveda, the human body consists of seven different, distinct tissues:- Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja and Shukra. The tissues which are affected due to any specific type of cancer can be directly treated with Ayurvedic medicines, and this forms the third approach to cancer treatment.
This is, thus, a short overview of the Ayurvedic approach to cancer treatment. The main advantage is that the above mentioned principles of cancer treatment can be applied to any type or form of cancer, and treatment can be tailor-made as per the specific requirements of each individual patient. This treatment can definitely improve the overall outcome and survival rates in cancer.
No comments:
Post a Comment