By Dr. Manoj Virmani, Ayurveda
Today, cancer has become one of the most deadly challenges that has been spreading drastically in the 21st century and has also become the disease that is known to be the most dangerous killer of the world according to the WHO. It can never be denied that cancer has arisen due to the adversary effects of modernization along with the advanced and irregular patterns of stressed life which is dominated by the western medicine. Scientists worldwide are trying hard to fight the disease but the exact cure is much awaited.
Cancer – According To Ayurveda
Ayurveda has been the oldest and the indigenous system of medicine in India since the olden times. This branch of medicine has been dealing with the plat drugs for preventing and treating the various suppressing tumors. For managing cancer today, the scientists are trying and researching on the alternative methods of medicine. In the concept of Ayurveda, and according to “Sushruta Samhitas” and “Charaka” or cancer is described as an non-inflammatory or inflammatory swelling and the minor neoplasm is mentioned as “Granthi” while the major neoplasm is mentioned as “Arbuda”. “Vata” or air is the nervous system, “ Pitta” or fire is the venous system and “Kapha” or water is the arterial system. They are known to be the basics of Ayurveda and are extremely important for the normal functioning of the body. In the malignant tumors, these systems not only get out of control (Tridoshas) but also lose the mutual coordination causing tissue damage causing critical condition. It results in proliferation due to excessive metabolic crisis.
Treating Cancer-
According to the Ayurvedic therapy, the main goal while treating cancer is to find the main cause of the illness and the therapeutic approach is further divided into-
- Health maintenance or Prakritisthapani
- Restoration of normal functioning or Rasayana Chikitsa
- Curing disease or Roganashani Chikitsa
- Spiritual approach or Naishthiki Chikitsha
Herbs that are known to heal and reduce the side effects of cancer-
- Andrographis paniculata
- Piper longum
- Annona atemoya
- Podophyllum hexandrum
- Phyllanthus niruri
- Semecarpus anacardium
- Tinospora cordifolia
- Barleria prionitis
- Datura metel
- Moringa oleifera etc.
All the anti-cancer drugs made out of these herbs should be taken only after proper consultation with a specialized Ayurvedic practitioner.