Ayurvedic treatment promotes a lifestyle of harmony between body and nature to treat cancer.
An Indian system of medicine called Ayurveda is becoming more recognized as a potential way to treat cancer patients. It focuses on more natural remedies such as diet, lifestyle and meditation to combat the cancer-causing elements of the world. Ayurvedic medicine is more a theory than a scientifically proven method for treating cancer. Some research suggests that Ayurvedic treatment may be beneficial and worth further investigation. However, features of the treatment can also be more harmful than useful.
Features
According to the Divyajyot Ayurvedic Research Foundation (DARF) in India, Panchakarma is one aspect of the Ayurvedic cancer treatment that cleanses the body of carcinogenic toxins. It is made up of five parts: emesis, purgation, enema, nasya and rakta mokshan. Emesis therapy releases the mucus buildup in the lungs and stomach. Purgation and enema therapies relieve the body through induced vomiting and diarrhea. Nasya clears up the nasal passages with herbal remedies applied in the nose, and rakta mokshan is blood-letting, or extracting blood that is full of toxins.
Warnings
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the five parts of Panchakarma can produce harmful effects on cancer patients. Induced vomiting is unhealthy and can lead to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. The ACS says induced vomiting can also cause imbalances of electrolytes in the blood. The ACS also warns that blood-letting can increase the symptoms of cancer patients who already have low blood cell counts.
Diet
Ayurvedic-Medicines.com emphasizes diet as an important element of Ayurvedic cancer treatment. The energy level of the food must be maintained to be effective in treating cancer. DARF suggests certain foods for cancer patients, including goat milk, sprouted beans, vegetable soups, nuts, raisins, figs and fresh seasonal fruit juices. There are also special diets for specific cancers, including a fat-free diet for liver cancer; nuts for brain, bone and blood cancers; a salt-free diet for renal cancers; and non-spicy foods for gastrointestinal tract cancers.
Other Features
Ayurvedic treatment demands lifestyle changes to deal with cancer. Proper diet and exercise should become a daily obligation of cancer patients. Taking specific herbs for certain cancers is also part of Ayurvedic treatment. For example, aabha gugglu is for bone cancer while gojivha is for breast cancer. Meditation and prayer should also be introduced to a person's daily activities to reduce stress and anxiety caused by relationships and other aspects of a hectic life. According to DARF, this will create positive emotions to help improve a person's mental and physical health.
Considerations
There are warnings concerning the use of herbal medications for Ayurvedic treatment of cancer. As with any type of drug mixing, there are potential negative interactions between Ayurvedic herbal preparations and conventional Western medications. Also, according to the ACS, there have been reports of lead, mercury and arsenic contamination in Ayurvedic medications. This led to several cases of lead poisoning, which causes nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and anemia. It is important to always let a medical professional know all medications being taken before trying something new.
Tags: Ayurvedic treatment, cancer patients, Ayurvedic cancer, Ayurvedic cancer treatment, five parts, induced vomiting, rakta mokshan