Current management approach of Cancer in Ayurveda

Abstract

Ayurveda, the oldest Indian indigenous medicine system of plant drugs is known from very early times for preventing or suppressing various tumors using these natural drugs. In Ayurvedic concept, according to Charaka and Sushruta Samhitas, Cancer is described as inflammatory or non-inflammatory swelling and mentioned either as Granthi (minor neoplasm) or Arbuda (major neoplasm). The nervous system (Vata), the venous system (Pitta) and the arterial system (Kapha) are three basics of Ayurveda and very important for normal body function. In malignant tumors all three systems get out of control (Tridoshas) and lose mutual coordination that causes tissue damage, resulting critical condition. Tridoshas cause excessive metabolic crisis resulting in proliferation. The modern cancer therapy which is known to burdened by drug-induced toxic side effects hoping perfect cure of disease form the complementary and alternative medicine system. The main goal of Ayurvedic therapy is to find the ultimate cause of an illness while the therapeutic approach of Ayurveda is divided into four categories as Prakrutisthapana Chikitsa (health maintenance), Rasayana Chikitsa, (restoration of normal function), Roganashani Chikitsa (disease cure) and Naishthiki Chikitsa (spiritual approach). Commonly used herbal decoctions reported in Ayurveda are made of multiple herbs possessing great potential for a cancer cure; scientifically these formulations work on multiple biochemical pathways and influence different organ systems all together and nourish the body as a whole by supporting body‘s deference systems. Now it is important to raise awareness and encourage implementation of Ayurvedic therapies for combating cancer and suggest an integrated approach in tumor management and treatment.