Introduction: Merging Ancient Sagacity with Modern Medicine
The word itself frightens a lot of people, especially with its general perception of it being a tough disease that has affected millions around the world. One can see a high incidence of this disease every year in India.
What is Ayurveda and How Does It View Cancer?
With that in mind let us briefly understand what Ayurveda is. Ayurveda on its own is an Indian traditional system of healing, which has been in practice for several centuries. Conventional medicine and Ayurveda hold quite different views on health. Ayurveda also suggests that a balanced life is the key to longevity where body, spirit and mind are aligned.
The ailment is mentioned in Ayurveda as an upset in the doshas of the body. In Sanskrit, it is called Arbuda-meaning a swelling, chronic wound or new mass. It is concerned not only with the tumor or organ affected but also with the person as a whole-such as lifestyle, diet, state of mind, and so on.
The Current Day Use of Ayurveda in Cancer Care in India
Many cancer patients in India go to Ayurveda centers for treatment. Some combine Ayurveda with the current type of treatment, while others remain under the sole therapy of Ayurveda. Herbal medication and diet therapy, aside from performing yoga and meditation, are some of the primary treatments in Ayurveda for a patient diagnosed with cancer.
Some may advise giving herbs to cancer patients, for example, Ashwagandha and Turmeric, which have anti-cancer properties. Perhaps dietary changes such as eating more fruits, vegetables, and less processed foods would also help. These practitioners should also let the patients do some yoga, perhaps meditation, to calm their nerves and enhance general well-being.
Research of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine documented that in 2015, many patients with cancer diagnoses were treated with Ayurvedic medicines in India. Of 213 cancer patients studied, 38% used some form of Ayurvedic medicine.
Scope of Ayurveda in Cancer Care
Ayurveda can contribute significantly to cancer care. Here are some areas where it can do really well:
Prevention: In Ayurveda preventive measures are given much more importance than curative measures. However, Ayurveda provides prevention of this disease through change in life and diet. For example, Ayurveda has recommended a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which modern science also says are helpful for cancer prevention.
Minimize Adverse Reactions: Chemotherapy for cancer has horrible side effects. Ayurvedic herbs and treatment can be used as an alleviating agent to this. One such example is ginger. It is one of the most common constituents in Ayurvedic drugs. It was proven that it could reduce nausea caused by chemotherapy.
Embracing Quality of Life: Ayurveda is holistic and may benefit the totality of the quality of life of a patient suffering from cancer. Besides, yoga and meditation can minimize stress promoting psychological well-being.
Improved Immunity: Certain components of herbs can enhance the immunity level. It might be of great value to cancer patients whose immunity is suppressed by treatment.
In their 2017 International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research review, the authors presume some of the Ayurvedic herbs and their potential in cancer treatment. In this case, the review revealed that turmeric, ashwagandha, and amla had potential for encouraging levels in laboratory experiments for their anti-cancerous properties.
Challenges Facing Ayurveda in Cancer Care
Even though Ayurveda has immense potential, there are still other challenges facing it when it comes to caring for cancer patients:
On the other hand, although many tales are heard about how Ayurveda helped other people, there is very little scientific evidence to prove whether it works for cancer. Most of these experiments are done in a lab or on animals, not patients.
Lack of Standardization: Ayurveda medicines are generally prepared differently by every practitioner, making it hard to study them properly and ensure their quality.
Coordination with Contemporary Medicine: Generally, there is no close collaboration between Ayurveda practitioners and contemporary medicine doctors, which results in inconsistencies in treatment.
Probability of Adverse Interactions: Several Ayurvedic herbs have been reported to pose an increased risk and interfere with some cancer treatment drugs. For instance, the traditionally administered Ayurvedic herb St John’s Wort used in controlling depression reduces the impact of some chemotherapy drugs.
Regulation and Quality Control: Nevertheless, the legal control of Ayurvedic medicines in India is not as strict as that of modern medicines. This does raise some questions about the safety and quality of some Ayurvedic preparations.
Recommended Strategies to Better Leverage Ayurveda in Cancer Treatment
To overcome these difficulties and use Ayurveda better than so far in the treatment of cancer, the following are some of the recommended strategies :
More Research: Ayurvedic treatment protocols for cancers need more scientific study. We should conduct the studies in an appropriate manner to follow all rules of medical research. Thus, we can understand which of these really work and how safe they are.
Better Communication: Ayurvedic doctors and modern cancer doctors should communicate more. They must cooperate in an integrated approach to develop treatment plans that allow them to use the best of both systems. This is called integrative medicine.
Better Education: To improve their coordination, practitioners and modern doctors should know more about each other’s learning systems. This would help them understand how the two might work better together.
Better Regulation: The government must ensure stricter regulations are enforced on Ayurvedic medicines. This provides the safety and efficacy of the medication offered through such medicines.
Education to Patients: The patient must be provided with information on their modern and Ayurvedic treatments. This helps them make the appropriate decisions concerning their care.
Treatments: Ayurvedic therapies need to be standardized. All providers should prepare and administer the same treatment.
Supportive Care: Though research continues about the role of Ayurveda in the curative management of cancer, its supportive aspects can be explored during this period. That includes managing side effects, restoring a good quality of life, and aiding recovery after treatment.
Real-life Stories: How Ayurveda is Supporting Cancer Patients
To understand how Ayurveda is helping cancer patients in real life, let’s look at a couple of examples:
Meera is 45 year old woman from Mumbai with biopsy proven breast cancer. She practices yoga with some herbs in the form of Ayurveda, recommended by a certified practitioner during chemotherapy. She believes this combination is more effective for controlling the side effects of chemotherapy. Yoga prevented her from getting restless and kept her positive; the herbs gave her energy.
A 60-year-old man from Delhi, Rajesh, had completed his medical treatment for colon cancer. He took Ayurveda support to aid him in the recovery process. His Ayurvedic doctor directed him to alter his diet; for instance, he told him to add more spices, such as turmeric and prescribed a few herbal supplements. Rajesh felt these changes improved his digestion and overall energy level.
Notably, these experiences are personal and cannot be applicable to all. Meera and Rajesh also updated their oncologists on the Ayurvedic treatment they received.
Conclusion: A Balanced Approach for the Future
The future of cancer care in India must be a harmonious balance that interweaves the best of Ayurveda and modern medicine, much like the tying of threads in a beautiful lace. It is not a matter of replacement but of complementing each other for the wellness of the patient.
As we step forward, there’s a pressing need to invest in quality research on Ayurveda. We must find out which Ayurvedic treatments work for cancer and how they work. We also have to ensure that Ayurvedic medicines and treatments are brought under control mechanisms to ensure their quality and safety.
This message, therefore, goes to patients as a cautionary and hopeful one. Ayurveda may have some benefits, but any Ayurvedic treatment must also be discussed with your doctor. Ensure that your entire medical team knows all treatments you are undergoing.
Ultimately, it is to provide the best possible care to cancer patients. We can hope to achieve this goal through careful and scientific exploration of what Ayurveda has to offer while continuing to advance modern cancer treatments. And so, it is but at the start of the long journey that would integrate Ayurveda into cancer care, and it’s an exciting path toward bringing new hope to many.
REFERENCES:
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2012/306346
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1878-5085-5-19
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10307689/
- https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/role-of-ayurveda-in-supporting-cancer-care-and-recovery-2611096-2024-10-04
- https://journals.lww.com/dmms/fulltext/2019/14002/ethical_issues_in_cancer_care_through_ayurveda.6.aspx