Holistic Medicine Research Articles

Abstract PR327

Background & Objectives: Worldwide there is extensive morbidity due to musculoskeletal pain. This is problematic in developing countries due to the high cost and access to therapy. Agnikarma is an ancient surgical treatment for pain (1). It involves thermal cauterization (first or second degree burn) delivered precisely to the trigger point in the area of allodynia. Advances in herbal cream for burns has facilitated a revival and re evaluation of this technique. Our objective was to document that the technique can improve pain management for patients. In addition we set out to establish a clinical evidence base that was appropriate to time and place. This environment is not suitable for a randomised trial but holds the potential to make a significant statement on efficacy nonetheless. We set up the global Agnikarma centre - www.globalagnikarma.com to offer the treatment. Materials & Methods: The international consultants (authors) experts in pain medicine and holistic medicine agreed a protocol whereby the same clinical information was collected on every patient at each visit setting up an extensive clinical database. Furthermore an extensive video library of pre and post treatment records was generated. Having learned the technique the presenting author offered the treatment to a specific group of patients in Ireland. These patients all had a diagnosis of chronic pain and had failed all conventional pain management.They all had graduated from a cognitive behavioural pain management programme. 100 patients were invited to visit the web site and self select for treatment. Results: We treated 14173 patients with 39658 procedures as of 21-2-2016 over a two year period. The case mix was 50% knee, 25% lumbar spine, 15% shoulder & neck and 10 % miscellaneous. The average number of treatment sessions is three (range 1-6) to achieve benefit. In Ireland the one year audit data for resistant chronic pain - 51 patients self selected, 25 were deemed suitable and completed 4 sessions. 76% had greater than 50 % pain relief, 80% had improved function, 30 % had improved sleep, 60 % stated that the benefit was still present at the end of the year, 80 % would have the procedure again. Conclusion: We have introduced a novel interventional pain therapy which offers hope to patients suffering from pain as it is simple efficacious and sustained. We have set up a transparent clinical data base complemented by a clinical video library which can be audited by interested parties. We have piloted a sample audit in resistant chronic pain patients where no efficacy would be anticipated in a totally different environment and documented benefit. There is now sufficient proof of concept for a more detailed investigation.

Systems Medicine: Hype or Revolution?

Research and innovation in healthcare can change existing practices aiming at constant improvement of diagnosis, treatment and prevention. As a new holistic approach Systems Medicine (SM) may revolutionize the healthcare system. This paper analyzes ethical and economic obstacles of SMs development from a niche innovation to a standard solution. We adapt a model of innovation theory to structure the barriers of adopting SM to become standard in the medical system. SM has the potential to change the medical system if barriers to this innovation can be overcome. The article discusses the potential of SM in becoming the future health paradigm considering these barriers and provides an overview of the current situation.

Holistic Integral medicine towards a new era of medical advances

Holistic Integral medicine towards a new era of medical advances

Exploring traditional chinese medicine by a novel therapeutic concept of network target.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) holds a holistic theory, and specializes in balancing disordered human body using numerous natural products, particularly Chinese herbal formulae. TCM has certain treatment advantages for patients suffering from various complex diseases. However, due to the complex nature of TCM, it remains difficult to unveil such holistic medicine by the current reductionism research strategies, which treat both herbal ingredients and targets in isolation. Recently, an emerging network pharmacology approach has been introduced to tackle this bottleneck problem. A TCM-derived novel therapeutic concept, "network target", which is different from the Western medicine's "onetarget" concept, has been proposed from China. The network target strategy is able to illustrate the complex interactions among the biological systems, drugs, and complex diseases from a network perspective, and thus provides an innovative approach to access ancient remedies in a precision manner and at a systematic level, which also highlights TCM's potential in current medical systems.

New Theory of Holistic Integrative Physiology and Medicine IV: Fetus Does Not Breathing and How We Start It After Birth

ObjectiveThe fetus does not have any true breathing. After birth, we have to start breathing and breathing is our vital sign for life before we expired. Just the short period before and after birth we should have the same system and same mechanism of breathing control. However, the knowledge of traditional respiratory systemic physiology could not explain these clearly. Based on new constructed HOLISTIC INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, we explained how we control our breathing after birth (see II abstract), but we did not talk about those before birth and short period after birth.MethodsNow we plan to use the different arterial blood gas signals (trinity of PO2, PCO2 and [H+]) at different time period to discuss mechanisms of why fetus no breathing and how we start our first breathing after birth.ResultsWhy fetus does not need breathing? Mother is normal breathing with mean PaO2=~100mmHg, PaCO2=~40mmHg and pHa=~7.40 of up‐down waveform in artery as described in II abstract. The fetus obtains oxygen and nutrients from the mother through the placenta and the umbilical cord. When the uterus arterial blood goes through the placenta capillary, the magnitude of waveform in umbilical vein decreases, and then the blood pass through PFO from RA into LA was diluted more than 10 times by venous return blood, so that mean PfO2=~30mmHg, PfCO2=~45mmHg and pHf=~7.38 in fetus artery without up‐down waveform. Even if they are very low O2, high CO2 and [H+]; the stable mean levels of them do not change the stimulation via peripheral chemical receptors and nerve net. So fetus does not have any true breathing.How we start our first breathing after birth? After birth, newborn's cell is metabolic and circulation is running, so that before breathing its arterial blood gases will go to much lower O2 and higher CO2 and [H+], progressively. The newborn mean are PaO2=6–30mmHg, PaCO2=42–66mmHg and pHa=7.18–7.38, before first breathe. While the PaO2, PaCO2 and pHa reach some threshold, the stimulation via peripheral chemical receptors and nerve net to start our first breathing. The mind is meaning that “we are air hunger, do we breathe or die? After our first breathing started, we breathing by arterial blood gases up‐down signals switching ins‐ and expiration via peripheral chemical receptors and nerve net; and maintaining stability via central chemical receptors and nerve net (see II abstract).ConclusionWe can explain the mechanisms of stable arterial blood gases (none waveform) in fetus does not need any true breathing, and after birth, the decreasing of O2 and increasing of CO2 and [H+] will start our first breathing via chemical receptors and nerve net. Based on it, we also explain some existing questions in physiology of respiration and circulation: How we set of FRC and why we close our PFO after birth etc. in different abstracts.Support or Funding InformationCNSF‐Medical Science Program (81470204); NCCVD Fuwai Hospital Start Program (2012‐YJR02)

Complementary, Integrative, and Holistic Medicine: Integrative Approaches to Pediatric Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

1. Alycia Leiby, MD*,† 2. Minal Vazirani, MD‡,¶ 1. *Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Goryeb Children’s Hospital, Atlantic Health System, Morristown, NJ. 2. †Department of Pediatrics, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. 3. ‡Siegler Center for Integrative Medicine, Barnabas Health ACC Barnabas Health System, Livingston, NJ. 4. ¶Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) occurs commonly in pediatrics, with the prevalence estimated at 6% to 14%. (1)(2) The Rome criteria define pediatric IBS as abdominal pain that improves with defecation and/or onset associated with a change in frequency or form of stool. (3) In addition, no evidence of an inflammatory, anatomic, metabolic, or neoplastic process explains the symptoms. The cause of IBS is attributed to a combination of factors, including an altered gut microbiome, low-grade mucosal inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, abnormal motility, psychosocial stressors, and genetic predisposition. (4) Recognition of these factors serves as the foundation for the biopsychosocial approach to treating pediatric IBS. A successful treatment plan starts with a strong patient-parent-physician relationship in which the child’s pain is validated and the physician compassionately approaches the distress that IBS can cause. Multiple studies have shown that children with IBS have a lower quality of life (QOL) that is comparable to that seen with nonfunctional gastrointestinal conditions. (2)(5) Conventional treatment includes education and reassurance, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for some patients, and consideration of antispasmodic or antidepressant medications. In practice, the lack of strong evidence, potential for adverse effects, and parental concern limit the utility of conventional pharmacologic options. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use in pediatric gastroenterology is common and higher in patients with IBS than nonfunctional gastrointestinal conditions. (6) This article reviews the evidence for CAM therapy in IBS based on adult and pediatric data available in the English language. The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live micro-organisms which, when administered …

New Theory of Holistic Integrative Physiology and Medicine III: How We Generate Rhythm and Frequency of Breathing

ObjectiveAfter birth, we have to start breathing and breathing is our vital sign for life before we expired. However, the knowledge of traditional respiratory systemic physiology could not explain the mechanism of breathing control clearly. Based on new constructed HOLISTIC INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, we explained how we control our breathing by switching off inspiration and expiration and maintaining the stability (see II abstract), but we did not talk about mechanism of how we generate our rhythm and frequency (f) of breathing after birth.MethodsNow we plan to use the time course of different arterial blood gas signals (trinity of PO2, PCO2 and [H+]) at the different location in the breathing control cycles to explain mechanisms of how we generate rhythm and f of breathing after birth.ResultsTime courses of signals transfer through the breathing control cycle for breathing f: After birth, except the first breathing (be discussed separately), we set the regularity of breathing pattern, the rhythm and f are the two key parameters of it. Traditional nerve electronic signal transferred from peripheral chemical receptors (PCR) via central integrative center to muscles of chest wall and diaphragm is fast, only run over 0.1–0.3s. The signals carried by blood from lung via circulatory parts (pulmonary capillary, pulmonary vein=PV, left atrium=LA, left ventricle=LV and artery) to PCR transfer speed is depend upon the blood flow rate. Blood flow rate depends on stroke volume (SV) and heart rate (HR). At resting, normal SV of LV is similar to our volume of LA and PV, the signals of blood from lung need 3 heart beat (i.e. 3s). Due to the time course to go through circulatory parts (lung‐artery time) is commonly over 2–3 s (more than 90% to total time); the breathing rhythm and frequency dominantly depend on the circulatory function. While we combined the idea of switching off of lung inspiration and expiration, each breathing cycle have one inspiration and one expiration, we can calculate the breathing f is only one of six for HR. i.e. HR = ~6 × f. f = 60s/(3.1~3.3s × 2).How we generate our breathing rhythm? Even the time courses of breathing switching off for both inspiration and expiration, which dominantly depend on blood flow rate, are similar. If so, our lung courses of inspiration and expiration should be similar, right? No. At resting, only inspiration activity is active and expiration is commonly positive. For a stable FRC lung, commonly the ventilated volumes of inspiration and expiration and airway resistances are similar. Due to active inspiration use many muscles to contract, use energy to again resistance, produce more higher pressure difference between room air and alveoli, so that the gas come into lung finish fast (use less time); the positive expiration do not use muscles contract, energy, lower pressure difference, the same volume needs longer time. Commonly ratio of inspiration and expiration is 2:3.ConclusionWe use signals transfer time course can explain the mechanisms of up‐down arterial blood gases waveform does switch breathing inspiration and expiration by equal time, but the activity of active and positive result difference in time courses of lung inspiration and expiration. Based on it, we also explain some existing questions in physiology of respiration and circulation: How we set our FRC and close PFO after birth etc. in different abstracts.Support or Funding InformationCNSF‐Medical Science Program (81470204) ; NCCVD Fuwai Hospital Start Program (2012‐YJR02)

New Theory of Holistic Integrative Physiology and Medicine II: Mechanism of Breathing Control

ObjectiveTraditionally, breathing is the only vital sign. In traditional respiratory systemic physiology, we commonly analyzed the relationships between ventilation and control parameters. We less considered the efforts of time and space (location of structure) and the complexity of life control. After more than 20 years hard study in physiology, we set all functions of human being as an organic set of functional structure frame (see first abstract). Based on this frame, we plan to use the different blood gas signals (trinity of PO2, PCO2 and [H+]) at different location of circulatory line to discuss the how we control our breathing after birth.MethodsBased on the traditional knowledge of breathing control physiology and holistic integrative organic set of human life, we did establish the new theoretical mechanism to explain breathing control.ResultsAfter birth, an independent human life is depended upon BREATHING. The characteristics of blood gas signals at different time and location: 1. At venous side (end pulmonary artery), blood gas signals are flat, not waveform. 2. While blood passes the breathing lung, the PO2 and PCO2 balanced with alveolar gases at pulmonary capillary, so that blood gas signals are always up‐down waveform in PV and left atrium depend on the time of breathing cycle (ins‐ or expiration). 3. In left ventricle, the blood of last end‐systolic mix with now blood drawn from left atrium by diastolic ventricle. 4. Next systolic period, left ventricle pump blood into artery. Same as these in PV, the arterial blood gas signals are always up‐down waveform too. However, their magnitudes in artery are lower than these in PV. Combine neuro‐ and humoral‐control, time and space, we explained mechanism of breathing control to keep our averaged PaO2=~100mmHg, PaCO2=40mmHg and pHa=7.40 normally. The core innovations of the breathing control are explanations of switching between inspiration and expiration and the stable maintaining of ventilation. The nerve and fast response peripheral chemical receptors in arterial line (aorta arch and carotid body) pick up the ventilating lung generated up‐down signals of arterial blood gas waveform to switch the lung's inspiration and expiration off alternatively. The slow response (delay about 30s) central chemical receptor (medulla over the central integrative center) picks up the main level signal of arterial blood gas to maintain the stability of ventilation. The pulmonary capillary, pulmonary vein, left atrium, left ventricle, aorta, and artery are the parts in the circulatory line. The signal from receptors to muscles is transferred electronically, which dominantly neuron‐control; but signal from lung to receptors at artery is transferred by blood flow, which dominantly heart‐control. Via the circulation, it integrates all systems to take part in the life control.ConclusionOur theory can explain the mechanisms of switching between inspiration and expiration and maintaining stability of ventilation for human. Based on it, we also explain some problems of breathing in physiology, for example: why fetal does not breathing; how first breath start; how respiratory rhythm and frequency generate, etc. in different abstracts.Support or Funding InformationCNSF‐Medical Science Program (81470204); NCCVD Fuwai Hospital Start Program (2012‐YJR02)

New Theory of Holistic Integrative Physiology and Medicine I: Structural Frame of Life Control

ObjectiveThe modern systemic physiology, based on each functional system alone, has significant limitations. Human being is an organic set of all functions. We plan to discuss the life control involving all systems.MethodsWe did establish the raw functional structure of new theory to explain the control and regulation of life.ResultsAfter birth, independent human being's life is depended upon two core functional axis. The first one is respiration‐circulation‐metabolism, and the second one is digestion and absorption‐circulation‐metabolism. The main function of them is to maintain the homeostasis for cells’ metabolic activities in the body. The first functional axis is dominantly to keep balance between supply and demand of gases (O2, and CO2 etc.). The second is to keep balance between supply and demand of materials (glucose, fatty acid, amino acid and lactic etc.) in the body. Use circulation as a central coupling, we constructed a main control circles for life. The circulation‐metabolism is shared parts by both axis. After birth, we start our independent life. Traditionally, breathing is the only vital sign, so that we focused on the breathing control (be discussed in others abstracts) linking with all others.The structural frame of life controlThe cortex is the mind over control for almost functions. Under cortex, main breathing control circle consists of peripheral chemical/pressure receptors in arterial line (aorta arch and carotid body), afferent nerves, central integrative center (medulla and central chemical receptor), efferent nerves, N‐M connection, muscles (alternative constriction and relaxation), diaphragm and chest wall, lung and airway, pulmonary capillary, pulmonary vein, left atrium, left ventricle, and artery. The signal from receptors to muscles is transferred electronically, which dominantly neuron‐control; but signal from lung to receptors at artery is transferred by blood flow, which dominantly heart‐control. The secondary circle of breathing control is the circulation. It consists of artery, capillary (all cells metabolic activities: resting, exercise and sleeping. GI uptake, liver metabolism and kidney elimination), vein, right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery, pulmonary capillary, pulmonary vein, left atrium, left ventricle, and artery. The pulmonary capillary, pulmonary vein, left atrium, left ventricle, and artery are the shared parts in both main and side circles. And the autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) nerves, from central integrative center, control the heart and blood vessel for circulatory regulation.ConclusionWe can explain that the life control through the integration of all functions of respiration, circulation, nerve, digestion, absorption and elimination, metabolism, exercise, sleeping, etc. together.Support or Funding InformationCNSF‐Medical Science Program (81470204); NCCVD Fuwai Hospital Start Program (2012‐YJR02)

The application of holistic integrative medicine in endocrine and metabolic diseases

Holistic integrative medicine(HIM)is an ultimate direction and a new way for medical development. It emphases the organic integration of the most advanced knowledge and theories in medical sciences with the most valuable clinical experiences. Treating(endocrine and metabolic diseases)patients with the concept of HIM, and implementing practical strategies will greatly accelerate the advancement of HIM. (Chin J Endocrinol Metab, 2016, 32: 177-180) Key words: Holistic integrative medicine; Endocrine; Metabolic diseases

Apprehending and Applauding the Therapeutic Importance of Fasting in Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the Indian art of holistic medicine describes fasting in terms of Upavasa and considers it as one among the depletion therapies. Besides the extensive explanations on the preventive purports of fasting, the classics have explicitly explained and exemplified the therapeutic importance of fasting while treating different diseases and dealing with different stages of the diseases. Fever, eye disorders, diarrhoea, nasal disorders, vomiting, gastroenteritis are a few diseases elucidated, where fasting plays a pivotal part. Ayurveda acknowledges the aspect that fasting brings about the digestion of the metabolic toxins, kindles the digestive fire, removes the blockage in the channels and there by aids in minimizing the disease. And also, the stage/ intensity of the diseases [mild/moderate/maximum] is of great importance to modulate the manner of fasting; either solely or stringed along with the required therapeutic procedures. The duration of fast depends upon the dosha involved; it is longer in Kaphaja disorders and shorter in those due to Vata dosha.The classics have elaborately and exceptionally explained the signs and symptoms of adequate, excess and inadequate fasting along with the contraindications during the execution of fasting, with a view to aid the physician administer apt and accurate treatment and thereby help the individual attain perfect health. The concept and canons of fasting are so very much incorporated and interlaced in the vast science of Ayureda that it advocates, acknowledges and admires depletion therapy, which includes Upavasa / fasting, as the best treatment modality a physician should adopt, by stating, “langhanam paramoushadam”.

자연치유와 전인적 의학(Holistic Medicine)으로서의 단식요법(斷食療法)에 관한 고찰

본 연구에서는 자연치유와 전인적 의학으로서의 단식요법에 대하여 고찰하고자 한다. 연구방법으로는 종교사상에서 나타난 단식의 역사와 의의를 찾아 문헌적으로 고찰하였으며, 단식이 심신치유에 적용된 사례를 연구, 분석하였다. 연구결과 첫째, 단식은 종교사상에서 정신적인 중대한 역할을 함으로 단식행위가 인간의 삶에서 정신적으로 미치는 영향력이 큰 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 단식은 인간의 심신을 치유하는 수단으로서 오랜 과거로부터 오늘날에까지 이어져 내려오는 자연치유적 의료행위로 중대한 역할을 하고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 결과적으로 단식요법은 자연치유적 방법에 의한 전인적 의학으로서 중요한 가치를 가진다는 점을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구의 시사점은 단식요법을 통해 현대사회에 각종 질병의 요인으로 작용하는 스트레스성 질병과 생활습관성 만성질환에 대하여 전인적 의학 차원에서의 효율적 치유의 방향과 근거를 제시하는데 기초 자료가 될 것으로 사료된다. The purpose of this study is to consider of fasting cure as natural healing and holistic medicine. As a study method, this author conducted a literature review to figure out the history and meaning of fasting found in religious thoughts and studied the cases applying fasting to either mental or physical healing analytically. According to the study results, first, in terms of religious thoughts, fasting plays significant roles mentally, and the act of fasting influences mankind's mind considerably. Second, fasting as a means of humans' mental and physical healing has been playing significant roles as the medical act of natural healing that has been transmitted from a long time ago. As a result, this author has found that fasting cure has great value as holistic medicine based on natural healing. Based on the implications of this study, this researcher expects that this study will be used as fundamental material to provide the directions and grounds of fasting cure as efficient healing in the aspects of holistic medicine exerting effects on chronic disease resulted from habits or diseases caused by stress, a factor that results in many different kinds of diseases in this age.

Anticancer activity of an ultrasonic nanoemulsion formulation of Nigella sativa L. essential oil on human breast cancer cells

Nigella sativa L. (NS) is a plant renowned in traditional holistic medicine systems for almost 1400years because of its remarkable antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The essential oil of N. sativa, in particular, possesses these significant biological properties. However, N. sativa essential oil has many insoluble constituents with properties that have not been fully explored. Nanoemulsion-based insoluble formulations are a widely used carrier system for lipophilic materials. In the present study, we used ultrasonic emulsification, polysorbate 80 and water to formulate a highly stable N. sativa essential oil nanoemulsion (NSEO-NE). To optimize the NSEO-NE preparation, we changed the surfactant concentration, the oil–surfactant mixing ratio and the emulsification time. The droplet size distribution and morphology of the prepared NE was analyzed using dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The droplet size of the NSEO-NE was approximately 20–50nm in diameter. The anticancer properties of the NE preparation were studied using a modified methyl-thiazolyl-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay as well as cellular uptake and nuclear morphological analyses. The NSEO-NE significantly reduced the viability of Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) breast cancer cells. The nucleo-cytoplasmic morphological features of NSEO-NE-treated cells included cell membrane blebbing, cytoplasmic vacuolation, marginalization of chromatin, and fragmentation of the nucleus. The results clearly indicate that NSEO-NE induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. These findings support the potential application of NSEO-NE in breast cancer therapy, and also merit future translational research.

The explanation of Holistic Integrative Medicine in theory

The explanation of Holistic Integrative Medicine in theory

Musicoterapia. En sintonía al final de la vida

En este artículo se muestra la musicoterapia como elemento de apoyo a la persona (y su familia) que vive el final de su vida. También como terapia no farmacológica y complementaria en una medicina integral, holística. Lo aquí expresado surge de la experiencia directa, de sesiones y reflexiones realizadas a lo largo de los años en unidades de oncología y cuidados paliativos. Hablamos de silencio, música, terapia, modelos y técnicas, leeremos y sentiremos sesiones… pero hablamos, sobre todo, de vida, conciencia y amor.

Significance of Primary Care Healthcare Services in the Early Detection of Cancer

Holistic view and protective medicine are a must in the discipline family practise. Cancer is one of the diseases having the possibility of being detected early in the preventive medicine in routine practises, especially in middle and advanced age group. The most important mission is the primary healthcare services, which is the first contact point, in the early detection of disease groups, especially of cancers. In our article, we aimed to determine the significance of primary care healthcare services in the early detection of cancer and to raise awareness.

Holistic and team approach in health care

Holistic medicine means consideration of the complete person, physically, psy-chologically, socially, and spiritually, in the management and prevention of dis-ease. These different states can be equally important. All healthcare practitioners should aspire towards a holistic approach to patients and attempt to practice it. Rec-ognizing the ‘whole’ person in the preven-tion and treatment of a disease may hold the key to some diagnoses for doctors. It may also allow valuable and important help and guidance to be given to the pa-tient. Patients tend to be more satisfied if a doctor takes a holistic approach, feeling that their doctor has time for them and their problems. In addition to a holistic approach, a team approach to a patient is also extremely important. There are three types of teams: a multidisciplinary, inter-disciplinary and transdisciplinary team. Which team will be used depends on the possibility, knowledge and the patients’ needs. In a team approach the patient is the main focus and is thus the responsibil-ity of every member of the team. The team has a responsibility towards one another to have open communication channels and mutual respect for different professions. Each member of the team should know his or her own abilities and limitations. In many articles the outcomes of treatment with a team approach have been reported positively, with no reports of negative con-sequences of team intervention. Further-more, the use of a team approach has been demonstrated in all healthcare settings across the continuum. Forming a multidis-ciplinary team is only one aspect of provid-ing a multidisciplinary health care service. Developing systems and resources that ensure the team can function effectively is also essential.

Holistic Medicine to Patients of Fibromyalgia

Holistic Medicine to Patients of Fibromyalgia

Ayurveda for Cancer Treatment

Plant based traditional medicine systems are playing a vital role for health care in both developing and developed countries. Ayurveda, the traditional Indian holistic medicine, uses plant derived products for cancer care, is not merely a system of medicine. Rather, it is a way of life. Even with great advancements in treatment and control of cancer, western medicine has significant deficiencies such as dose-limiting toxicity and drug resistance. Moreover, the enormous search for novel compounds is escalating, in which Ayurveda with its huge active compound repository can lend a hand to find new potential leads. Currently, global population is widely accepting the Ayurvedic medicine as the plant based treatments can rescue the patients from adverse side effects of western medicine. The Ayurvedic science is believed to add a step on to the curative aspects of cancer and lead to healthy living by fostering healthy cells in addition to controlling/killing the cancer cells. The scientific evidence of Ayurvedic medicine is increasing, and a number of plants used in Ayurveda have scientifically proven to possess anticancer effects. In this editorial, we emphasize on combining the modern western and traditional medicines such as holistic Ayurveda which would be of great advantage to manage symptoms, control side-effects and improve the state of mental wellbeing. This integrated approach would make the cancer patients live and not just to exist.

Cytotoxicity of medicinal plants used in cancer prevention in Thailand

Currently, it is almost impossible to treat advanced cancer patients. Preventive approaches which attempt to control carcinogenesis have been adopted based on the idea that fixing small impairments is easier than larger ones [1]. It is important to prevent cancer development by modulating different targets and maintaining cell homeostasis. Thai traditional medicine (TTM), a holistic medicine which focuses on maintaining the balance of the four elements of the body provides a good framework for strategies for cancer prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate cytotoxicity of medicinal plants used in cancer prevention by local healers/traditional medical practitioners as a first step of a systematic study of these plants.