This is one of the most preferred cancer treatment techniques used in contemporary medicine technology. Despite the fact that chemotherapy is highly effective in treating many cancers, it is true that most people experience significant chemotherapy side effects. These side effects can appear sooner or later and these are distinct.
Chemo And Radiotherapy And Its Side Effects:
Acute side effects that appear soon after therapy ends are followed by intermediate or late side effects (occurring months or years after the therapy). So, chemotherapy can cause a number of serious side effects, including alopecia, mucositis, diarrhea, nausea, and constipation.
Even If The Radiation Therapy Is Administered Locally, It Can Produce Systemic Side Effects Such As;
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Alteration in the taste issue
- Sleeping disorders
- Headache
- Anemia
- Dry skin
- Constipation etc.
Likewise, Late Complications Of These Therapies Also Include;
- Pharyngitis
- Esophagitis
- Laryngitis
- Persistent dysphagia
- Fatigue
- Hepatotoxicity including infertility and cognitive deficits.
These arrays of side effects have a devastating effect on the quality of life of cancer survivors today.
These drugs cause myelosuppression. This can result in decreased hemoglobin, blood platelets, and white blood cells. Due to this condition, patients are unable to complete their chemotherapy rounds on time.
Ayurveda Can Compensate The Inflammation Caused By Chemotherapy:
In a recent survey, Ayurveda Treatment has been found to significantly handle the negative effects of chemotherapy. It allows patients to tolerate it. Because, drugs used in chemotherapy mostly affect the gastrointestinal tract. But, the Ayurvedic approach to treat this illness enhances appetite, encourages digestion. As mentioned above, it relieves symptoms including nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, stomatitis, diarrhea, constipation, and other problems too.
By application, the excessive heat caused by chemotherapy drugs can be effectively reduced by ayurvedic medicines. Because they have anti-inflammatory properties. Patients will no longer feel burning sensations in their eyes, hands, and soles.
Also, ayurvedic medications can enhance blood count. And, they eliminate blood toxins, and are very helpful in maintaining hemoglobin, Leucocytes (WBC count), and blood platelets. Therefore, a majority of patients finish their chemotherapy course in the predicted amount of time. Because ayurvedic medicines can keep their blood counts stable.
How Does Ayurveda Interpret This Condition?
It is necessary to examine the dominant adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy from an ayurvedic perspective. Then, it seems that they are indications of an aggravated pitta dosha, particularly under the set of conditions known as Raktapitta (hemorrhage) or Rakta dushti (vascular inflammation).
Therefore, ayurveda based therapies propose the remedies through proper examination of classical Vedic literature and contemporary scientific findings. The information Punarjan Ayurveda provides would assist medical professionals and cancer patients in preventing severe side effects from chemo-radiotherapy. Besides, our medicines and practical ayurvedic therapies are fairly affordable. The treatments we mention are widely accessible and secure. These straightforward Ayurvedic Treatments may improve the quality of life for cancer patients and serve as a crucial immunity booster after chemo-radiotherapy.
Rasayana Chikitsa At Punarjan Ayurveda:
We suggest Rasayana Chikitsa to prevent and treat cancer in the first step. Also, rasayana can evidently manage the side effects of chemo and radio therapies.
There are eight branches in ayurvedic medicine. And, rasayana exerts its effects in a variety of ways. It implies that probable methods could involve cellular detoxification mechanisms, immunological activation, and the squelching of free radicals. Moreover, this medication can regenerate injured proliferating tissues by stimulating cell division and self-renewal. With customized formulations, it can also repair damaged non-proliferating cells. Last but not least, it replenishes them by replacing any damaged or deprived cells with new ones. Eventually, rasayana might stop cancer stem cells. At Punarjan Ayurveda, we constantly research and evaluate the impact of various drug classes to provide a better quality of life for cancer survivors.
Ayurvedic Medicines With Anti-Cancer Properties (Scientific Evidences):
Ashwagandha:
In a few animal studies, researchers discovered that Withaferin A, an ingredient in Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), is helpful in reducing the size of breast tumors. It can also reduce the area of microscopic tumors while controlling the rates of pulmonary metastasis. Thus, Aswagangadha can selectively kill cancer cells by inducing ROS-signaling.
Bhandirah:
In another study, Bhandirah (Clerodendrum viscosum) was found to have pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-migratory properties. Therefore, it can fight against cervical cancer cell lines, and this is proven in a dose-dependent manner.
Haridra:
Moving on, researchers found that Haridra (Curcuma longa), contains the active chemical curcumin. This chemical binds to the cancer cell surface membrane before penetrating the cytoplasm in order to start the apoptotic process. Also, it was noted that curcumin caused the cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and growth suppression in glioblastoma and medulloblastoma cells. This discussion demonstrates the anti-cancer properties of curcumin.
Manjistha:
A recent in-vitro study worked on the herb manjistha (Rubia Cordifolia). This herb is commonly used to induce apoptosis in HEp-2 (a human laryngeal cell line). Cytotoxicity, morphological alterations, and modification in the levels of pro-oxidants being the evidence.
Palash:
According to a different study, Butea monosperma (Palash) which is an aqueous extract is able to suppress the cell growth and the accumulation of cells in the G1 phase. Furthermore, this induces apoptotic cell death and reduces all levels of activated Erk1/2 and SAPK/JNK significantly.
Triphala:
With all the above, another effective ayurvedic medicine for cancer treatment and prevention is triphala.
Apart from the above, there are numerous plants and herbs that are used to make ayurvedic formulations that can significantly reduce the impact of side effects caused by chemo and radio therapies.
Conclusion:
According to the results of the above discussion, Rasayana Ayurveda performs better in controlling cell growth. It also reduces the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As a result, giving Rasayana chikitsa to cancer patients in addition to chemotherapy and radiation treatment can enhance their quality of life.
In this way, the ancient ayurvedic practice today offers a glimmer of hope for the successful integration of an allopathic modality and Ayurvedic medicine as an adjuvant. Using this treatment, the patient’s quality of life is unquestionably improved. This may also lengthen the patient’s lifespan. Rasayana chikitsa, in a nutshell, is a successful immunity boosting therapy for shielding the patient’s health from the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Also Read: Major 10 Reasons For Why Ayurveda Is The Best Medical System For Health