Cancer
and Ayurved
Cancer is a much dreaded
disease today. Causes and nature of
cancer are still most obscure to us even today.
Ayurveda offers valuable insight in understanding of such diseases. Ayurvedic scholars believe that modern
analytical approach can never lead us to a single conclusion to understand such
ailments. Holistic approach of ayurveda
offers wonderful treatment options that not only help control the disease but
improve the quality of life of such individuals. Longevity of human life is one of the aims of
ayurveda.
Today, cancer patients are
subjected to various treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy and
surgery. These treatments often produce
intolerable side effects. Ayurveda can
help reduce the severity of such side effects.
There is no magic remedy
here. Treatment is based on individual
conditions such as prakriti (constitution of the patient). Every patient is different. Therefore, we have patient specific
approach. We try to find out specific
causes of the disease in every individual.
We have observed very good
effects in various cancers such as lung cancer, liver cancer, cholangiocarcinoma,
various blood cancers, breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, etc.
READ THE FOLLOWING TO KNOW HOW AYURVEDA WORKS
In order to understand the
importance of ayurvedic concepts and their application today, we should look at
the present scenario in the medical field.
There are many ailments for which, let alone complete cure, but even
palliative treatment is very limited. To
name a few are degenerative disease like osteoarthritis, heart diseases,
cancer, etc. Exact nature of these
diseases is not fully understood. There
are many theories which are put forth, but each theory explains only a part of
the problem and the complete disease process still remains obscure.
Today, advancement in modern
surgery has made our lives much easier, e.g., a block in coronary artery can be
overcome by stenting. A diseased artery
can be replaced by another artery or vein, as it is done in bypass
surgery. Even a diseased heart can be
replaced with another one. If kidneys
are not working, the patient is put on artificial kidneys, i.e., dialysis. But, all this development is not an answer to
the basic question why all these pathological changes occur in our body. Why the arteries of only some people become
hard to lead to heart disease. Why the
cells in our body change their nature, become cancerous, and reproduce
themselves so drastically that they destroy our own body. Why the bones decay to the point that there
may occur a pathological fracture.
Different theories have been put forth, and according to the recent
trend, many of these diseases are linked to the genetic cause.
Ayurveda, with its
background of vedic philosophy, has provided us with valuable guidance
regarding prevention and cure of diseases in order to lead a healthy and
fruitful life.
Ayurveda believes that
analytical approach of research can never explain the whole thing. This is where concept of holistic approach
comes into picture. We must consider
about human life as a whole. We cannot
forget its connection with the nature.
We cannot separate our body from our mind just like one cannot separate
one part of body from the other.
Nature of human body is so
mysterious that its riddles cannot be solved only with biochemical
approach. Ayurveda tries to answer these
questions with holistic approach.
Ayurveda says that human
being is a tiny version of universe itself.
Human body consists of all those five principles which are there in the
universe. Ancient Indian sciences have
categorized all existing matter in five basic elements. Prithvi, aap, tej, vayu, and akash and these
can be compared with, earth, water, heat, wind, and space, respectively. These elements are represented in human body
in the form of Tridosha, i.e., three basic principles of Kapha (prithvi and
aap), Pitta (tej), and Vata (Vayu and Akash).
These Tridoshas are three basic patterns of energy that is vital for
human existence. Then, there is
‘saptadhatu theory.’ There are seven
basic “building materials” of human body, i.e., Sptadhatu (rasa, rakta, mamsa,
meda, asthi, majja, and shukra).
Proper balance of all these
body factors is health; imbalance is disease.
Many factors, both internal and external, act upon us to disturb this
balance and are reflected as a change in one’s constitution from the balanced
state.
Just as everyone has a
unique fingerprint, each person has a particular pattern of energy. A unique combination of physical, mental and
emotional characteristics, which comprises their own constitution, i.e,
prakruti. This constitution is determined at conception and remains the same
throughout one’s life.
Human body reacts to the
changes in season. There are many
changes occurring in our body during summer, winter, and rainy seasons. Metabolism changes according to daytime or nighttime. Human body is affected by age (childhood,
adolescence, young age, and old age).
Our ancient sages had the
‘real’ vision to see the changes that occur in us during these circumstances,
and this is explained in detail in ancient Ayurvedic texts like Charak
samhita. Apart from above-mentioned theories,
many other principles are described in these texts. Additionally, vast database of practical
treatment modalities is also present in these texts.
PREVENTION AND CURE WITH
AYURVEDA:
We can apply this knowledge
in day-to-day life very effectively.
Ayurveda is very much a practical science. There are guidelines about how one should
proceed from the beginning of the day until he/she goes to sleep. This is called Dinacharya. Dietary and behavioral guidelines during
seasonal changes are called ritucharya.
There are certain rules which one should observe throughout his
life. This all is described in svasthavritta. Dietary restrictions are called as Pathyapathya.
Ayurveda has placed great
emphasis on prevention of diseases through close attention to ‘balance’ in
one’s life. Correct thinking, diet,
lifestyle and the use of herbs.
It is indeed true that many
people have benefited by following the Ayurvedic lifestyle. It has been observed that chronic diseases
which are very difficult to treat (eg. arthritis, stroke, heart disease,
colitis, etc.) can be successfully treated with the help of Ayurvedic
treatment. We will discuss that in
future.
Dr. Chandrashekhar Thite, MD
(Ayurved)