Cancer and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Cancer is a serious medical condition and almost every lay-person is well aware that it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Modern medicine has made immense progress in treating the nearly more than 200 types of cancer seen in day-to-day practice. The standard treatments available are surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and biological immunostimulant treatments; most of the times, a combination of these are judiciously used.

While there is an immediate improvement with these treatments for a vast majority of patients, in the long run, the high cost of treatment and the side effects take a heavy toll. Within a few months or a few years, the disease begins to relapse or recur for an alarmingly high percentage of patients.

Ayurvedic treatment is immensely useful in these scenarios both as a supplementary as well as a stand-alone treatment. Side effects of modern treatment include skin rash, vomiting, loose motions, hair fall, as well as more serious effects such as liver and kidney toxicity. Severe or serious side effects cause a break in the treatment or necessitate a change in the treatment protocol. Concurrent Ayurvedic herbal treatment is usually quite effective in preventing as well as treating all the known side effects of modern medicines, thus allowing the treatment cycle to be completed as planned.

Ayurvedic medicine can also be effectively used in patients who do not respond to modern treatment, or have relapsed in spite of the best available modern treatment. Depending upon the severity of the condition, Ayurvedic treatment can be either given as a stand-alone treatment or in addition to the ongoing modern treatment. Even patients who are on end stage palliative treatment can benefit considerably with the addition of Ayurvedic treatment. One such example is of Ayurvedic treatment of different types of leukemias, where the treatment has cured patients who relapsed in spite of taking several cycles of modern available treatment.

It is the need of the hour to validate and document such Ayurvedic treatment protocols, and make them universally available.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi, is available as an Ayurvedic consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

Ayurvedic Herbal treatment of Cancer – An Overview

Cancer is defined as an uncontrolled growth of cells anywhere in the body. There are more than 200 types of cancer. Exposure to toxic chemicals, pollution, radiation and some pathogens, as well as chronic smoking, heavy alcohol abuse, and genetics, are known causes of cancer. The signs and symptoms of cancer include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, persistent low grade fever, severe or unusual body pain, nausea or vomiting, change in bowel habits, persistent sore throat or difficulty in swallowing, unusual bleeding or discharge, non-healing ulcer,  thickening or lump, and noticeable changes in a wart or mole.

            Cancer types include carcinomas (involving skin and coverings of internal organs), sarcomas (involving connective and supportive tissue like muscles, fat, bone, cartilage and blood vessels),  leukemias (involving bone marrow and blood tissue), lymphoma and myeloma (involving the immune system), and brain and spinal cord tumours. Physical examination, a detailed medical history, and tests like X-ray, blood tests, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI and radionuclide scan can help make a presumptive diagnosis of cancer; however, a biopsy is the best way of making a definite diagnosis of cancer and its type. Treatment is usually done with a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Staging of the cancer helps identify the severity of spread and the overall prognosis, while helping to decide the most effective treatment protocol.

            Dealing with a diagnosis of cancer, and facing the prospect of costly, prolonged, and often harsh treatment procedures can be one of the most traumatic experiences of life. Most individuals may get confused about the future course of action. It is always best to take several expert opinions regarding the most suitable treatment protocol. If surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, or a combination of all three, can quickly reduce the tumor size significantly, then this is the most preferred first line of treatment.

            If the overall prognosis and cure rate are excellent with conventional treatment, then in most cases nothing more need be done. It is important to educate oneself about the type of cancer, its known causes, and take all possible steps – mainly lifestyle modifications - to prevent recurrence. Keeping body immunity at optimum levels, in all possible ways, is one of the best ways to prevent recurrence.

            If the cancer is known to be aggressive and has a grim prognosis, it is better to start alternative treatment concurrently with conventional treatment. The two treatments can work in synergy; conventional treatment can reduce the tumor quickly with a few sessions of treatment, while Ayurvedic herbal treatment can help boost long term immunity, as well as help reduce the cancer gradually and prevent it from spreading further or recurring later. Most individuals make the mistake of opting for alternative treatment when it is too late. Ayurvedic herbal treatment needs to be taken for at least 18-24 months in order to see significant improvement in cancer, help in complete remission, and also to prevent recurrence.

            Ayurvedic treatment for cancer is multi faceted. Herbs are given to improve immunity; to target the specific organs and tissues affected with cancer; to improve general and specific metabolic activity, and lastly, to provide rejuvenation in the form of Rasayan therapy. Detoxification is also required on a general level as well as specific organ, tissue or cellular level as required.

            As mentioned above, the individual needs to work on a holistic level to improve oneself at the physical, mental and spiritual level in order to achieve a complete cure and enjoy a good quality of life.

The writer, Dr A A Mundewadi is available as an Ayurvedic Consultant at https://www.mundewadiayurvedicclinic.com and http://www.ayurvedaphysician.com

           

Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment for Cancer

Cancer is defined as an abnormal growth of cells in any organ or tissue of the body which in the longer run proves to be destructive and life-threatening.  Depending upon which organ or body part are affected and also the type of cell growth in the tumour, cancer is given different names.  Different types of cancers have different growth rates and varying long-term outcomes; with some cancers been highly amenable to treatment while others are notoriously difficult to treat.  The modern management of cancer includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy.  Even with the latest advancements in treatment, most cancers still have a grim long-term outlook.

Ayurvedic herbal treatment for cancer is aimed at treating the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells, preventing its spread to other parts of the body, as well as treating secondary tumours present in the body.  An important aspect of Ayurvedic treatment is to boost the immune status of the affected individual in order to help the body in its fight against the cancer, as well as to maintain the strength and stamina of the patient.  Ayurvedic herbal medicines which have a specific action on uncontrolled division of cells are used in high doses and for prolonged periods in order to treat the cancer and bring about a remission at the earliest.  Other herbal medicines which have a specific action on the affected organ, tissue, or system are also added to the above-mentioned medicines, so that the combination works faster and in a more predictable manner.

Cancer cells spread in the body through the blood circulation as well as the lymphatic circulation, or by a direct physical spread from adjoining organs.  Medicines are also used to prevent the spread of cancer cells and to destroy the cancer cells present in the blood or lymphatic circulation.  In addition, if the affected individual has known secondary tumours, these are also treated specifically with appropriate Ayurvedic herbal medicines.  Immunomodulatory herbal medicines are also used in high doses in order to fortify the fight against the cancer.

Most individuals affected with cancer need aggressive and regular treatment for periods ranging from six to eighteen months.  Ayurvedic treatment can also be given in combination with conventional modern treatment.  Ayurvedic herbal treatment can induce a remission in most types of cancer and can definitely increase the lifespan as well as the quality of life of affected individuals.

The writer, Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, is available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant at www.ayurvedaphysician.com