Scientific Studies Supporting Ayurveda in Cancer Treatment

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine system, has a long history of close to 5000 years. In recent decades, Ayurveda has attracted the attention of everyone due to its non-invasive nature, highly effective treatments, and treatment philosophy that centers around improving the overall health of the patients. Many practitioners are advocating Ayurvedic treatment for cancer patients in India due to these reasons. This article will delve deep into the various studies that corroborate the effectiveness of Ayurveda against cancer.

Ayurvedic Herbs with Anti-Cancer Potential

Below are some herbs that have shown excellent anti-cancer potential:

Curcuma longa (Turmeric): Turmeric’s active compound, curcumin, has been studied at length by various scientists. There are specific studies that have shown curcumin's potential to inhibit the proliferation of cancerous cells in the body. This herb is also effective in inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death).

• Evidence: Pharmacological Research’s 2020 review emphasized curcumin's role in attacking multiple molecular pathways that are deeply associated with cancer progression. Curcumin is particularly effective in treating breast, prostate, colon, and pancreatic cancers through preclinical studies.

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): Ashwagandha has adaptogenic properties and it also possesses anti-cancer activities. Withaferin A, the active compound in this herb, has been demonstrated to exhibit properties that induce cancer cell apoptosis and this compound is also effective in preventing angiogenesis, a medical term for the formation of new blood vessels feeding tumors.

• Evidence: Research in the 2018 Cancer Letters 2018 showed that the compound Withaferin A was effective in keeping a check on the suppressed growth of breast and lung cancer cells, sparing the normal cells simultaneously.

Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi): Guduchi, with its immunomodulatory properties, helps enhance our body's immune response. This is quite helpful with the side effects associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

• Evidence: A 2019 study in Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology stated that the extracts of Tinospora cordifolia had an instrumental role to play in boosting immune cell activity, and reducing symptoms of immunosuppression related to cancer.

Triphala: A combination of three fruits—Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Triphala boasts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

• Study Evidence: Research published in Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research (2017) stated that Triphala reduced oxidative stress and DNA damage repair mechanisms and also helped with induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells.

Kanchnar Guggulu: Kanchnar Guggulu is a combination of several herbs that have anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties.

• Study Evidence: Preliminary studies have demonstrated that consuming this herb may help restrict tumor size in animals, however, further studies are needed to validate these claims

Ayurvedic Lifestyle Practices

Dietary Interventions: Ayurvedic diets stress a lot on including anti-inflammatory and detoxifying foods, which may reduce cancer-related risks significantly. Spices like turmeric, garlic, and ginger have demonstrated properties that may help cancer patients with their symptoms.

• Evidence: A 2021 Nutrients review clearly stated that Ayurvedic diets may have the properties to modulate gut microbiome and reduce chronic inflammation linked to cancer.

Yoga and Meditation: Yoga and Meditation are integral parts of Ayurvedic treatment practices. These have been found helpful in managing stress in cancer patients.

• Evidence: In a controlled trial published in Integrative Cancer Therapies (2020), it was found that Yoga reduced markers such as stress, inflammation, etc. in breast cancer patients.

Challenges

While the evidence supporting Ayurveda in treating various forms of cancer has shown promising results, still challenges remain such as:

1. Standardization and Quality Control: Consistency is key in preparing herbal formulations. Any variations in the herbal formulations can result in deviations from the actual outcome.
2. Lack of Large-Scale Clinical Trials: Larger, randomized, and a higher number of clinical trials under strict observation are necessary to further validate the claims.

Conclusion

Ayurveda for cancer patients in India vociferously advocates the use of Ayurvedic practices to treat cancer. While multiple studies point toward the increasing efficacy of Ayurvedic treatments in treating cancer, more studies along with a standardized protocol would help cement Ayurveda’s position as a viable alternative to conventional treatment methods for cancer. An integration of Ayurvedic practices with modern oncology is still a work in progress, however, the start has been bright for Ayurvedic treatments so far.