Scientific Studies
Can Ayurveda Cure Cancer?
Ayurveda, the mother of all healing and still the champion of medical treatments worldwide, makes some pretty tall claims to help heal the body faster and more effective than many Western treatments and pharmaceuticals. In fact, one of the most earth shattering claims that threaten the very theories that Western medicine was built on is that Ayurveda can cure those who suffer from cancer by treating the person (not the cancerous growths like we do in the West). If it can do this even at the same success rate as chemotherapy, then why isn’t anyone talking about it? How come cancer survivors continue to endure the agonizing effects of radiation therapy while still crossing their fingers if there are alternatives that can do the job just as effectively, but instead by using natural and healthy treatments?
Cancer, according to Ayurveda, is a disease brought on by extreme imbalance. All of Ayurveda is based on maintaining a careful equilibrium in all aspects of life. This includes diet, exercise, social, rest, work, play, etc. Any time we have too much of some aspects or two little of others in our lives, we risk illness. Staying out of balance for an extended period of time or experience roller coaster up and downs in extremes will make us susceptible to disease. Cancer is one of the main diseases that invade us when we are in an imbalanced state. According to many practitioners of Ayurveda and doctors of the same understand the rising incidences of cancer cases are the direct result of certain drastic changes in our lifestyles and diets. One very dangerous and yet very common cause for cancer today is the consumption of fast foods, packaged foods, artificial colors and flavors and all other synthetically produced foods. These not only fill the body with dangerous chemicals that are foreign to our bodily processes but these foods do not sufficiently provide us with the vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to function.
One of clinical practices of Ayurveda known as Rasayana Shastra emphasizes mineral absorption. The practice involves the balancing of the seven metals (lead, iron, zinc, tin, copper, silver, and gold) in order to assist the body in its ability to take in more minerals naturally. Most foods we consume these days are mineral deficient even if the foods are not fast food or junk foods. Soil deficiency translates to food deficiency. Beyond this, other contributing factors are eating too frequently, eating disorders, over exertion, stress and anxiety, psychological depression and other unnatural afflictions form acids and toxins in the body that further exacerbate the problem of nutrient and mineral absorption. Your body reacts with abnormal activities to try to compensate and begins to create unnatural tissues in the body. These tissues can result in cancer.
A study posted in the Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17309811?dopt=AbstractPlus) discusses how well Ayurveda treats cancer and also how ineffective modern Western medicine is in curing cancer victims. I won’t retype the whole abstract, but take a moment to review. You’ll be pleasantly reassured that living in a healthy balance with everything is your best chance to stay cancer free!
Healthy Aging with Ayurveda (Nutrition, Excercise and Relaxation)
In
Ayurvedic tradition, aging is not something to be
feared.
Ayurveda
embraces the concept of rejuvenation and teaches
that healthy practices of rasayana, or rejuvenation therapy, may be
integrated
into a person’s daily life to optimize health and prevent
disease as age
increases.
Rasayana
is one of the eight clinical specialties of
Ayurveda, and herbal formulations occupy an esteemed place in the
Ayurvedic
pharmacopeia. Rasayana powerful natural herbs act as a general tonic,
improving
overall well-being, and when used as part of a regular regimen can
enhance
longevity, strengthen the body’s immune response, and improve
mental function.
Rasayana
treatment imparts luster, vitality, and renewed
virility. Increased age does not have to mean increased disease. Common
conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, and
autoimmune
disorders, may be averted altogether when a habitual, holistic rasayana
regime
is incorporated into one’s daily life.
Rasayana
herbs are known especially for their adaptogenic
qualities. These herbs are extremely versatile and have the power to
adapt
according to the body’s unique needs. In addition to herbs,
detoxification
(pancha karma vigyan) and behavior modification (achar rasayana) are
often
recommended.
•
Early rising. Waking up early, preferably before
sunrise, allows maximum exposure to sunlight. The sun stimulates the
body’s
adrenal glands and increases the production of cortisol, bringing us
out of
deep sleep and increasing overall well-being.
•
Healthy diet and exercise. Beginning the day with one
to three glasses of warm water encourages peristalsis and assists bowel
evacuation. A healthy breakfast is also important, emphasizing
appropriate
foods to one’s constitution.
Fried,
processed, and artificially sweetened foods should
be avoided. Moderate exercise is essential to healthy aging, such as
walking 30
minutes to 45 minutes of on most days.
•
Healthy hygiene. Oral and physical hygiene are
important to health and vitality as we age. A daily shower encourages
digestive
health and enhances heart health. The health of teeth and gums should
be
maintained by daily brushing and flossing.
•
Sexual health. The Hindu religion considers sexual
activity to be sacred and is an aspect of the pursuit of pleasure
(kama) — one
of the legitimate goals of life. In Ayurveda, frequent sexual activity
is
recommended in winter, with slightly less frequency in other seasons.
•
Seasonal health. The body’s needs change according to
the seasonal cycle. To avoid the impact of seasonal change on your body
as it
ages, follow a common sense approach. In Ayurveda, these seasonal
adjustments
are known as ritu charya.
In
summer, dress lightly, eat fruits and vegetables, and
consume plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. In winter, dress
warmly, being
careful to keep your vital organs, such as your heart and lungs, warm.
Consuming
nuts and seeds will supply your body with oils
and extra energy. In cold weather, lubricate your skin with nourishing
oils and
creams.
During
the spring and fall allergy seasons, avoid
mucous-producing foods such as excess sugar, dairy products, rich
foods, and
fried foods. Fasting with vegetables, fruits, and rice protein may help
to
stave off allergies.
•
Detoxification. As the years pass, toxic substances
accumulate in our bodies which can cause systemic disease. Regular
detoxifying
cleansing, known as pancha karma, is recommended and mimics the
body’s own
natural cleansing process.
Three
phases are involved — a preparatory phase, known as
poorva karma; the pancha karma process itself, which includes five
methods of
cleansing; and a restoration phase, known as pashchtya karma, which
restores
the body to its natural state using rasayana herbs.
Rasayana
herbs
While
these practices, followed on a regular basis, are
indispensable for maintaining the body’s total health over
time, the basis of
Ayurvedic rejuvenation therapy remains herbal treatment with rasayana
herbs and
preparations.
Herbal
treatments for healthy aging include:
Ashwagandha
(Withania somnifera). Ashwagandha is a
shrubby plant which offers tremendous potential as an energizing
medicinal
herb. Ayurvedic practitioners have used the roots of this plant for
centuries
with success as a tonic to increase vitality and longevity, as well as
to treat
health conditions as diverse as tumors and arthritis.
Ashwagandha
was tested for its anti-aging properties in a
double-blind clinical trial. A group of 101 healthy males, 50 years old
to 59
years old, were given the herb at a dosage of 3 grams daily for one
The
subjects experienced significant improvement in
hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hair melanin, and seated stature.
Serum
cholesterol decreased and nail calcium was preserved, and 70 percent of
the
research subjects reported improvement in sexual performance.1
Amla
(Emblica officinalis). Amla is a rejuvenator. It has
antioxidant properties and can counter the toxicity of heavy metals
such as
nickel, cobalt, arsenic, and mercury. It also provides protective
properties
after one has been exposed to toxic or carcinogenic chemicals.
It
has powerful anti-cancerous properties and has been
used in cancer therapy to cut down the side effects of chemotherapy and
radiation. According to ancient Ayurvedic texts, one who consumes a
rasayana
with Amla as the main ingredient is one who will “live for a
hundred years
without any sign of decrepitude.” Among other things, Amla is
one of the
richest sources of natural vitamin C available and is well-known as a
powerful
immune support.2
Sitawari
(Asparagus racemosus). This herb has tonic,
adaptogenic, alterative (curative), and aphrodisiac activities. It is
used to
treat debility and chronic diseases like infertility, impotence,
menopause,
lung abscesses, and chronic fevers, as well as stomach ulcers,
hyperacidity,
and hormonal imbalance and diarrhea. Decoctions of the herb have a
soothing
effect on dry and irritated membranes, making it useful in treating
bronchitis
and other respiratory ailments.
As
a rasayana, it is believed to bring all of the body’s
fluids into balance.3
Trifal
(Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, and
Emblica officinalis). Trifal is another adaptogen. The combined herbs
are
synergistic and have digestive and eliminative actions. It has
anti-parasitic,
anti-yeast, anti-bacterial, and antihistaminic properties. It improves
the flow
of bile, lowers cholesterol, and can be used as adjuvant in
chemotherapy and
radiation treatments.
Shilajeet-mumiyo
(Mineral pitch). Shilajeet is a rich
source of naturally occurring minerals. Russian athletes used it as a
nonsteroidal body builder and stamina enhancer. Ayurvedic medicine
considers it
as an aphrodisiac, a tonic for the kidneys and prostate. It helps with
benign
prostate enhancement and is an immune enhancer.
In
Ayurveda, Shilajit is considered a rasayana herb and
an adaptogen.4 The substance has been found to contain at least 85
minerals in
ionic form, as well as humic acid and fulvic acid. Clinical research
has been
conducted to determine Shilajit’s pharmacological activity,
and the results
have confirmed its traditional uses in treating impotence, sterility,
mental
diseases, and for improving memory and learning.
Pippli
(Piper longum). Pippli helps in digestion, and
enhances acid and enzyme secretions. It significantly enhances the
absorption
of nutrients, herbs, and drugs, and has shown anti-allergic,
anti-asthmatic,
and powerful anti-parasitic actions.
Ancient
Ayurvedic texts list Pippli as one of the most
powerful rasayana herbs, which means that it is a valuable longevity
enhancer.
It is also considered a purifying herb, with soothing qualities that
help
improve the quality of sleep.
Ancient
texts and contemporary studies point to the
wide-ranging effectiveness of Pippli in respiratory, liver, digestive,
metabolic, parasitic, and malignant conditions.5
By
eating well, following good daily and seasonal
routines, occasionally undergoing a cleansing regime, and following up
with the
right rejuvenative herbs, longevity may be increased and health can be
optimized as you age.
Virender
Sodhi, MD (Ayurveda), ND, was one of the first
to practice Ayurvedic medicine in the United States. He practices at
the
Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medical Clinic in Bellevue, Wash. He can be
contacted at www.ayurvedicscience.com. For herbal products, visit
www.ayush.com.
Disclaimer:
This article is purely informative and should
not replace the guidance of your physician. If you suffer from an
illness,
consult a physician before taking any herbs, vitamins, minerals, or
enzymes.
Even at the peak of health, it is best to consult a qualified
practitioner
before taking any dietary supplement.
References
1
Bone K. Clinical Applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese
Herbs. Queensland, Australia: Phytotherapy Press, 1996, 137-41.
2
Selected medicinal plants of India. Chemexcil, Mumbai
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 1989
3
Chopra RN, Chopra IC, Handa KL, Kapur LD. Indigenous
drugs of India. Calcutta: Academic Publishers; 1994. pp. 496.
4
David Winston and Steven Maimes. Adaptogens: Herbs for
Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, Healing Arts Press, 2007.
5 Rege NN, Thatte UM, Dhanukar SA. 1999 Adaptogenic properties of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicines. Phytotherapy Research 13(4):275
Ayurveda can cure hepatitis, sickle cell & cancer too
But as the proceedings unfolded, gradually it turned out to be a gathering of some extremely knowledgeable teachers, researchers, practitioners, scientists, conservationists and experts of Ayurveda. These were experts and veterans in their own fields even at young ages. And that was the reason why Baidyanath was felicitating them.
One of them was a writer and publisher, the other a researcher, the third a retired government medical officer, fourth a government college teacher and the fifth a hardcore practitioner. But all of them are making a sizeable contribution in their own way to Ayurveda.
"Ayurveda Amratanam", believes B P Tamrakar, a professor of Ayurveda from Bhilai. He says that Ayurvedic medicines are like amrit or - and cure a disease completely by treating the root cause of the disease. Diseases like sickle cell, thalassemia, hepatitis B and E and even cancer, which remain a challenge for the Allopathic doctors, too can be treated and managed well with Ayurveda. Tamrakar says, "Ayurveda can cure sickle cell to about 90%, turn hepatitis B and E positive patients to negative and prolong the duration between blood transfusions required by a thalassemia patient. But this is possible with right integration of modern medicine with Ayurveda." He has treated 150 sickle cell patients, 70 hepatitis infections and is conducting research with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and College of Pharmacy, Delhi.
Tamrakar has no hesitation in admitting that modern diagnostic sciences like pathology and other investigative testing can be used to diagnose the disease. "I use Allopathy to diagnose the disease rightly, Ayurvedic medicine to treat the patient and selected diet to prevent diseases," he says.
Brahmanand Nayak, an MD in Ayurveda from Bangalore, has been bringing out a research journal, first and only one of its kind published from 12 countries simultaneously. "Medicine is a science and so is Ayurveda. But we have not been able to share this fact with the world. Though research in Ayurveda may be in infancy stage, evidence is fast pouring in on how the plant-based medicines work at molecular levels. I do the job of taking this evidence to the world," Nayak said.
Rajshree Kulkarni from Nashik is trying to prove in her own way that there is a science behind 'Garbha Sanskar'. She has authored a book on the subject and treats a pregnant woman from the first month to the delivery through Ayurveda. "We tell the would-be parents to talk to the child in the womb daily. It helps the baby's growth in right direction," she claims.
Rajesh Shukla, a retired medical officer from Sagar, strongly believes that medicinal plants should be preserved and grown in their natural environment without using any chemicals like fertilisers. This prevents the plant from absorbing any heavy metals.
Govind Asati, a teacher at government Ayurved College in city, holds the Ayurvedic practitioners and researchers responsible for the delay in required recognition to Ayurveda as a national system of medicine. "We have failed to take this science to even our own people in the right way," he says.
Ayurveda helps cancer survivors --by Dr. Partap Chauhan
Unlike other medical systems, Ayurveda focuses on finding and treating the root cause of a disease. Interestingly, there are some similarities between Ayurvedic principles and the latest findings on the growth of cancerous cells in the body.
According to Sir Paul Nurse, who received the Nobel Prize for medicine last year, cancer is caused when certain genes get damaged and the body, as a result, is unable to check a proliferation of its own cells. Why and how these genes become damaged is still a mystery for the modern medicine.
Ayurveda describes that each person has physical and mental constitution. In other words everyone is born with a unique nature or personality. In order to maintain good health, it is important to maintain this “original” prakriti or nature. This is done by eating foods and performing activities that are in harmony with our nature. Thus a state of natural balance is maintained at physical, psychological and spiritual level. However, a disturbance in the state of natural balance leads to damages in the natural set of body even at the minute level including the genes.
Ayurveda propounds the principle of natural living. This includes foods, environment, lifestyle, and the like. Modern life often violates principles of natural living. Artificial lights and air, processed and preserved food items, polluted environment, ingestion of chemicals in numerous ways, overworking physically as well as mentally, imperfect relations and negative emotions are opposite to Ayurveda’s principles of natural living.
According to Sir Walter Bodmer, who has headed the Imperial Cancer Research Fund and is now the principal of Hertford College, Oxford, there are certain chemicals that damage the DNA. In the process of cell division the flawed DNA keeps replicating itself resulting into cancerous growth. It seems the seers of Ayurveda knew this fact thousands of years ago. Only they could not explain this in modern scientific terms because modern science did not exist then. Inventing new chemicals or drugs may actually increase the problem or create new problems on the cancer front. It is necessary to become aware of the root cause of the problem and make appropriate changes in our food, lifestyles and environment.
Ayurveda describes that in cancer, the blood becomes impure due to aggravation of one or more dosha. This impurity of the blood is actually related to the subtle part of blood (rakta dhatu), and is not detected by physical tests. The dosha may get aggravated due to a number of factors including improper food and lifestyle. Smoking, chewing tobacco, breathing in chemical fumes or eating foods and fruits that have been heavily processed with chemical during cultivation also aggravate dosha in the body.
Sir Paul Nurse in a discussion in New Delhi last week, told that while working on yeast cells, which resemble the structure of human cells, he identified the exact mechanism that controls the division of cells. Cancerous cells, however, overcome this mechanism and go on proliferating, leading to a mass of cells, known as tumor, which then break off and travel to other parts of the body. Nurse told that he is currently studying about the shapes of cells and processes that control them. Cancerous cells change their shape so that they can filter through tissues and reach all parts of the body. According to him there is no answer available as to how this happens.
According to Ayurveda this happens due to the impurity in blood (rakta dhatu). The blood along with the aggravated dosha circulates in the whole body and relocates in a region that has weak immunity. As a result the normal function of blood in that region (organ/system) is disrupted. One of main functions of blood is transporting prana (life air) to each cell, the smallest functional unit in the body.
Prana, according to Ayurveda, is not only oxygen but also contains a subtle force or energy, which empowers the cell to perform its normal functions including its division. Due to localization of improper rakta dhatu, the prana reaching the cells of that particular region also becomes impure. This leads to improper cell division, which is termed as cancer. If this is not detected at an early stage and proper measures are not taken, the impurity spreads to other regions having weak immunity. Thus the cancer spreads to other organs of the body.
At Jiva Ayurveda Centre for Incurable Diseases (JACID), we have been working on these principles to help patients suffering from various types of cancers. Purifying or cleansing the blood and blocked channels with herbal formulae and non-invasive techniques are the main treatments for cancer. A number of patients approach us only after they have tried all kinds of other therapies. Most of them come dejected from modern medicine, and quite often in an aggravated state.
In this advanced stage, in addition to the regular cleansing treatment, in the Ayurvedic rasayana or strengthening and rejuvenating therapy is quite beneficial. Although cancer is a difficult disease, Ayurveda can offer a lot of support and comfort to the patients through its natural treatments. I feel the modern science should explore the Ayurvedic principles and devise an integrative approach to cancer treatment.
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