Cancer: Can Ayurveda help?

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases for man which has till today eluded cure. Scientists have been trying since ages to find a cure for this fatal disease. However, cancer remains without a cure unless it is detected at a very early stage. It is for this very reason, that today practitioners are looking at alternative therapies to find some remedy to cure cancer, especially those in Ayurveda.

 

The reason why scientists and researchers are turning to Ayurveda for cancer cures is simple. Ayurveda treats a disease from its root cause and its basic principles are quite in line with the latest findings on cancerous growths in the body.
 

According to the findings of Sir Paul Nurse, cancer scientist and Nobel Prize winner for medicine; cancer is caused when there is a permanent damage of certain genes in the body as a result of which the body is unable to check the multiplication of its own cells [1]. The reason for the damage of these genes is still unknown.
 

Similar to these findings are the Ayurvedic beliefs which say that every individual has a unique natural balance or ‘prakriti’ of the body which depends upon his or her physical, psychological and spiritual well being. Any disturbance in this balance can alter or damage the natural set up of the body even at the tiniest levels, as those of the genes.
 

While Ayurveda emphasises on natural living ensued by use of natural foods, light and other substances, modern medicine has proved that use of certain kind of chemicals can damage human DNA. The replication of this damaged DNA during cell division leads to formation of cancerous growths in the body. A fact Ayurveda has known since ages now!
 

As per Ayurveda cancer is a condition where the blood becomes impure as a result of various ‘doshas’ in the body. The main reason for these doshas are improper lifestyle, adulterated food, intake of chemicals, smoking, drinking, processed foods etc.
 

According to the findings of Sir Paul Nurse, cancer cells have a tendency of proliferating without a check. They multiply to form tumours in the body and these tumors break off and travel to different body parts affecting the complete body eventually. He however, does not have the answer, as to how these cells change their shape to move to other parts of the body, filtering through the tissue walls.

Ayurveda attributes this property to the dosha in the blood which takes these damaged cells to the parts of the body which have a weak immunity. This further results in disrupted blood function in that region and so the cells which get air from blood do not get sufficient ‘prana’ (air). This prana is the oxygen and life energy which the cells get from blood. Impure prana causes improper cell division and which in turn leads to cancer.
 

Based on these theories and principles, Ayurveda has devised effective cure for cancer patients in their early stage and offers much relief to those in their advanced stage of cancer. The basic medications are aimed at purifying the blood, opening the blocked channels of energy and treating the damaged areas. It however, does not claim to provide a 100 per cent cure for the disease.

According to Ayurveda, Cancer falls under the category of diseases called Krichcha Sadhya and Yaapya. Depending upon the stage of the disease and extent of damage, the cancer can be classified as one under Krichcha Sadhya -one which can be cured but with great difficulty and efforts, using panchakarma and other procedures; or it can be classified as Yaapya, the stage of disease which can only be stabilized and not completely cured, using medicines and panchakarma.
 

Ayurveda can help cure or manage cancer in many different ways.
 

·         Working as Co-therapy – Ayurveda can work with modern medicine therapies like chemotherapy, radio therapy etc, as a supportive alternative therapy and minimise the side effects of these therapies on the patients. By using Ayurvedic medicines along with modern drugs, the quantity of strong modern medicines can be reduced and also both kinds of medications can work with each other to overcome the lacunae of the other.

·         Working to slow down cancer progression - Often a stage is seen in patients where chemotherapy does not seem to work anymore or due to age factors or poor condition of the patient they are not suggested. It is then that Ayurvedic medications can be used to slow down cancer progression.

·         To improve the quality of life of patients - The rasayana therapy used in Ayurveda has ability to protect cells from further damage and the drugs used in this therapy also help to comfort the patients, relieve their stress and enhance the quality of life.

·         Cell protection – Ayurveda helps to prevent cell toxicity which often is the side effect of strong medication, blood transfusions and chemotherapy.