Cancer is a major global health problem that causes millions of deaths and new cases every year. It is a complex disease that involves the abnormal growth and spread of cells in the body. It can affect any organ, tissue, or system, and can cause various symptoms and complications. The conventional methods of cancer treatment include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. These methods aim to remove, destroy, or control the cancer cells, but they may also cause side effects such as damage to healthy cells, reduced immunity, increased risk of infection, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, fatigue, pain, and impaired quality of life.

Ayurvedam is an ancient Indian system of medicine that uses a holistic approach to diagnose and treat diseases. It considers the individual as a whole, and balances the mind, body, and spirit. Ayurvedam believes that health problems occur when there is an imbalance in the three elements or doshas: air and space (vata), fire and water (pitta), and water and earth (kapha). These doshas regulate the functions of the organs, tissues, and systems in the body. Ayurvedam aims to restore the harmony of the doshas by using various treatments and techniques such as:

  • Advice on diet and special diets
  • Ayurvedic medications made from natural herbs and minerals
  • Massage therapy using herbal oils
  • Meditation, yoga, breathing, and relaxation techniques
  • Bowel cleansing or detoxification

Ayurvedam can play a supportive role in cancer treatment by enhancing the quality of life of cancer patients. It can also help in preventing and managing cancer by using various natural herbs and minerals that have anti-cancer properties. In this review, we will summarize the evidence and clinical applications of ayurvedam in cancer treatment.

Evidence of Ayurvedam in Cancer Treatment

There is limited scientific evidence to support the use of ayurvedam as a treatment for cancer. Most of the studies are observational, case reports, or preclinical trials that have methodological limitations such as small sample size, lack of control group, lack of randomization, lack of blinding, lack of standardization, lack of follow-up, or lack of outcome measures. However, some studies have suggested that ayurvedam may have beneficial effects on cancer patients by improving their physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being, as well as reducing the side effects of conventional therapies.

Some of the ayurvedic herbs that have been studied for their anti-cancer effects are:

  • Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): It is an adaptogenic herb that helps in coping with stress, anxiety, fatigue, and depression. It also boosts immunity, reduces inflammation, protects the liver and kidneys from toxicity, enhances memory and cognition, and inhibits tumor growth. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies found that ashwagandha supplementation improved the quality of life of cancer patients by reducing fatigue, pain, sleep disturbance, and anxiety. A randomized controlled trial of 100 breast cancer patients found that ashwagandha extract reduced the side effects of chemotherapy such as nausea, vomiting, and neutropenia. A preclinical study found that ashwagandha extract induced apoptosis (cell death) of breast cancer cells and inhibited their migration and invasion.
  • Curcumin (Curcuma longa): It is the active ingredient of turmeric, a spice widely used in Indian cuisine. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-depressant, and anti-cancer effects. It modulates various molecular pathways involved in cancer development and progression. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 studies found that curcumin supplementation improved the quality of life of cancer patients by reducing pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. A randomized controlled trial of 44 colorectal cancer patients found that curcumin extract reduced the number and size of polyps in the colon. A preclinical study found that curcumin extract induced apoptosis of prostate cancer cells and inhibited their growth and metastasis.
  • Guggul (Commiphora mukul): It is a resin obtained from a tree native to India. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-cholesterol, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effects. It induces apoptosis of cancer cells, inhibits angiogenesis, and enhances the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemotherapy. A case report of a 52-year-old woman with ovarian cancer found that guggul extract reduced the tumor size and ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen) after six months of treatment. A preclinical study found that guggul extract inhibited the growth and metastasis of breast cancer cells and enhanced the efficacy of tamoxifen, a hormone therapy drug.
  • Neem (Azadirachta indica): It is a tree with various medicinal uses. It has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcer, and anti-cancer effects. It modulates the immune system, inhibits tumor growth, induces apoptosis of cancer cells, and protects the normal cells from damage. A case report of a 55-year-old man with oral cancer found that neem extract reduced the ulceration and bleeding of the tongue after three months of treatment. A preclinical study found that neem extract inhibited the growth and metastasis of lung cancer cells and enhanced the efficacy of cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug.
  • Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum): It is a sacred plant in Hinduism. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-stress, and anti-cancer effects. It enhances immunity, reduces oxidative stress, inhibits tumor growth, induces apoptosis of cancer cells, and protects the normal cells from radiation damage. A randomized controlled trial of 75 cervical cancer patients found that tulsi extract improved the response rate and survival rate of radiotherapy. A preclinical study found that tulsi extract inhibited the growth and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells and enhanced the efficacy of gemcitabine, a chemotherapy drug.

These are some examples of ayurvedic herbs that have been studied for their anti-cancer effects. However, more rigorous and large-scale clinical trials are needed to confirm their safety and efficacy in cancer treatment.

Clinical Applications of Ayurvedam in Cancer Treatment

Ayurvedam can be used as a complementary or integrative therapy in cancer treatment. It can help in improving the quality of life of cancer patients by addressing the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of health. It can also help in preventing and managing cancer by using various natural herbs and minerals that have anti-cancer properties. However, ayurvedam should not be used as a substitute for conventional therapies, and should be used under the guidance of a qualified ayurvedic practitioner who can customize the treatment according to the individual’s constitution and condition.

Some of the clinical applications of ayurvedam in cancer treatment are:

  • Diet: Ayurvedam advises a balanced diet that is suitable for the individual’s dosha type, stage of disease, season, and climate. The diet should be nutritious, fresh, natural, wholesome, and easy to digest. It should include foods that are rich in antioxidants, phytochemicals, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and proteins. It should avoid foods that are processed, refined, spicy, sour, salty, oily, fried, fermented, stale, or incompatible. It should also avoid foods that are allergenic, carcinogenic, or immunosuppressive. A proper diet can help in boosting immunity, reducing inflammation, inhibiting tumor growth, enhancing the effects of conventional therapies, and reducing their side effects.
  • Medications: Ayurvedam prescribes various medications made from natural herbs and minerals that can help in treating the root cause of cancer, enhancing the immune system, reducing inflammation, inhibiting tumor growth, inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, preventing angiogenesis, enhancing the effects of conventional therapies, and reducing their side effects. The medications can be in the form of powders, tablets, capsules, decoctions, syrups, oils, ghee, or paste. They can be taken orally or applied externally. Some of the common medications used in cancer treatment are ashwagandha, curcumin, guggul, neem, tulsi, kanchnar guggul, triphala, guduchi, shatavari, brahmi, and haridra khand.
  • Massage: Ayurvedam uses massage therapy as a way of stimulating the blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, nerve endings, and acupressure points. It also helps in relaxing the muscles, joints, and tissues. It uses herbal oils that are selected according to the individual’s dosha type and condition. Massage can help in relieving pain and discomfort, reducing stress and tension, improving mood and sleep quality, enhancing energy levels and metabolism, detoxifying the body, and rejuvenating the skin. Some of the common oils used in massage therapy are sesame oil, coconut oil, mustard oil, almond oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, and herbal oils such as mahanarayan oil, dhanwantharam oil, bala ashwagandha oil, ksheerabala oil, and pinda oil.
  • Meditation: Ayurvedam uses meditation as a way of calming the mind, focusing the attention, and increasing the awareness. It also helps in regulating the breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and brain waves. Meditation can help in reducing anxiety, fear, anger, and other negative emotions. It can also help in increasing self-esteem, confidence, and coping skills. It can also help in promoting relaxation, peace of mind, and spiritual connection. Some of the common types of meditation used in ayurvedam are mindfulness meditation, transcendental meditation, mantra meditation, vipassana meditation, and yoga nidra.
  • Yoga: Ayurvedam uses yoga as a way of harmonizing the body, mind, and spirit. It consists of various physical postures, breathing exercises, and mental techniques that can help in improving the flexibility, strength, balance, and coordination of the body. It can also help in improving the digestion, respiration, circulation, and elimination of the body. Yoga can help in reducing pain and discomfort, improving energy levels and mood, enhancing immunity and metabolism, detoxifying the body, and rejuvenating the cells. Some of the common types of yoga used in ayurvedam are hatha yoga, ashtanga yoga, vinyasa yoga, bikram yoga, iyengar yoga, and kundalini yoga.
  • Breathing: Ayurvedam uses breathing as a way of controlling the vital energy or prana that flows through the body. It also helps in regulating the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Breathing can help in reducing stress and tension, improving mood and sleep quality, enhancing energy levels and metabolism, detoxifying the body, and rejuvenating the cells. Some of the common types of breathing exercises used in ayurvedam are anulom vilom (alternate nostril breathing), kapalbhati (skull shining breathing), bhastrika (bellows breathing), ujjayi (victorious breathing), and brahmari (humming bee breathing).
  • Relaxation: Ayurvedam uses relaxation as a way of releasing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual stress that accumulates in the body. It also helps in restoring the natural balance and harmony of the doshas. Relaxation can help in relieving pain and discomfort, reducing anxiety, fear, anger, and other negative emotions. It can also help in promoting relaxation, peace of mind, and spiritual connection. Some of the common types of relaxation techniques used in ayurvedam are shavasana (corpse pose), yoga nidra (yogic sleep), progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and aromatherapy.

These are some examples of clinical applications of ayurvedam in cancer treatment. However, they should be done under the guidance of a qualified ayurvedic practitioner who can customize the treatment according to the individual’s constitution and condition.

Conclusion

Ayurvedam is an ancient Indian system of medicine that uses a holistic approach to diagnose and treat diseases. It can play a supportive role in cancer treatment by enhancing the quality of life of cancer patients. It can also help in preventing and managing cancer by using various natural herbs and minerals that have anti-cancer properties. However, ayurvedam should not be used as a substitute for conventional therapies, and should be used under the guidance of a qualified ayurvedic practitioner who can customize the treatment according to the individual’s constitution and condition.