Can Ayurveda Cure Cancer? Facts and Limitations

Introduction

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine and wellness that has its roots in India. The entire emphasis of Ayurveda is about adopting a holistic approach to health and making use of potent herbs and healing therapies for overall well-being. In recent times, Ayurvedic treatments have gained significant attention from cancer patients as many Ayurvedic herbs have demonstrated promising results against multiple cancer symptoms. Cancer treatment in Ayurveda utilizes herbs, lifestyle changes, and specific healing therapies to treat symptoms associated with various kinds of cancer. Ayurvedic treatment for cancer in India also offers ways through which Ayurvedic practices can help with treating various kinds of cancer.

Ayurveda and Cancer: The Basics

Cancer is characterized by an abnormal growth in malignant cells, also known as tumors. These malignant cells metastasize and start to affect the other parts of the body as well. In addition, cancerous cells display apoptosis, i.e. they ignore the pre-programmed death of cells. Ayurveda views cancer as an imbalance of the three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) in the body. This results in an accumulation of amas or toxins in the body. Common Ayurvedic treatments for cancer include:

1. Herbal Remedies: Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha, Turmeric (Curcuma longa), and Tulsi (Holy Basil) have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. To further concretize this point, Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has been found to stall the progress of cancer cells in the body. 
2. Detoxification Therapies (Panchakarma): Healing therapies like Panchakarma, and medicated massages aim to detoxify the body and cleanse the body from within, resulting in a reduced concentration of toxins in the body. Such healing therapies alleviate pain, support the treatment process, and relieve stress in the cancer patients.
3. Diet and Nutrition: Ayurveda understands the relevance of a well-balanced diet for cancer patients. Ayurveda recommends easily digestible and highly nutritious foods to cancer patients. In addition, Ayurveda advises cancer patients to eat foods rich in antioxidants and other nutrients. Ayurveda practitioners also advise against consuming foods that are high in fats and oils.
4. Yoga and Meditation: Stress management is vital for cancer patients. Yoga and meditation have been proven to reduce stress and impart positivity in those suffering from cancer. Meditating combats the onset of panic attacks, calms the nerves, and helps cancer patients handle their symptoms effectively. In addition, meditation has been linked with enhanced immunity and better sleep in people suffering from this disease.

Scientific Evidence Supporting Ayurveda in Cancer Care

1. Complementary Role in Managing Symptoms: Scientific studies have demonstrated that Ayurvedic herbs like Turmeric and Ashwagandha boast antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These herbs may alleviate cancer-related symptoms and dilute the side effects of chemo and radiation therapy. For example, herbs like Amla have shown an ability to contain the cancerous cells and slow down the progression of the malignant cells in the body.
2. Immunity Boosting: Well-prepared Ayurvedic formulations are known to strengthen the immune system. This allows cancer patients to fight off cancer symptoms in a better way.
3. Improved Quality of Life: Ayurvedic practices like Yoga, meditation, and lifestyle modifications contribute positively to stress reduction in cancer patients. Plus, deep-breathing exercises allow more oxygenated air to enter the blood stream, resulting in Oxygen-rich blood reaching to every part of the body. This promotes recovery in the cancer patients, leading to a better life quality for cancer patients.

Limitations and Challenges

1. Lack of Standardized Clinical Trials: This is possibly the biggest limitation of Ayurvedic cancer treatment. There are a few Ayurvedic remedies and healing therapies that have demonstrated excellent results in combating cancer symptoms, however, further corroboration via wide-scale clinical trials is needed. In addition, a standardized regulation for Ayurvedic treatments for cancer is the need of the hour.
2. Not a Substitute for Conventional Treatment: Ayurvedic treatments are potent, but they can at best be complementary, especially, if the cancer has advanced to irreversible stages. Ayurveda, unfortunately, cannot replace chemo and radiation therapy, however, can provide excellent support to these medical therapies. Ayurvedic practices can assuage symptoms, improve the quality of life, and supplement the conventional cancer treatments.
3. Variable Quality of Remedies: Inconsistency in the preparation of herbal remedies has been a challenge for Ayurveda. Variations in the herbal formulations can result in varied results in the cancer patients. Standardized protocols for preparing herbal formulations are far and few so far. A well-regulated and standardized body to oversee the quality of the herbal preparations is indispensable.
4. Potential Risks: Herbal remedies, if consumed without any prior guidance, may result in an interference with the medicines you are consuming. A few herbs may cause interactions with the on-going treatments like chemo and radiation therapy in the cancer patients. Certain Ayurvedic formulations may also hurt the health of cancer patients. It is always advisable to consume any herb or medicine after consulting with your doctor.

Conclusion

Ayurveda, with its vast wealth of wisdom, can play an excellent complementary role in cancer treatment and post-cancer care. However, the lack of rigorous scientific validation also needs to be acknowledged, if you take an objective viewpoint on the subject. Patients considering Ayurveda should understand that Ayurveda, at least for now, is at best a sidekick to modern treatment. However, one cannot deny the impact of healing therapies, meditation, etc. in reducing stress and provide the healing touch to cancer patients. Integrating the healing therapies and treatment methods of Ayurveda with chemo and radiation therapy may actually promote quicker rehab in the cancer patients.