Ayurveda and Cancer

What is ayurveda?

Ayurveda, or science of life (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge), is one of the world's oldest medical systems. Ayurvedic medicine incorporates herbs, other plants, including oils and spices, massage, foods, breath work, yoga, and additional approaches. The goal is to integrate the body, mind, and spirit to prevent illness and promote wellness.

Constitution (prakriti)
Ayurvedic medicine has specific beliefs about the body's constitution. Constitution refers to a person's general health, the likelihood of becoming out of balance, and the ability to resist and recover from disease or other health problems. The constitution is called the prakriti. The prakriti is a person's unique combination of physical and psychological characteristics and the way the body functions to maintain health. The prakriti is believed to be unchanged over a person's lifetime.

Life Forces (doshas)
Important characteristics of the prakriti are the three life forces or energies called doshas, which control the activities of the body. The doshas are known by their original Sanskrit names: vata, pitta, and kapha. A person's chances of developing certain types of diseases are thought to be related to the way doshas are balanced, the state of the physical body, and mental or lifestyle factors.

Life, according to ayurveda, consists of four parts that form an inseparable alliance to ensure the integrity of life¹.

Shareera—the physical body, the anatomical and physiological consideration
Indriya—sensory motor apparatus
Manas—the mind/psyche
Aatman—the soul, spirit, and consciousness

Everything in the universe is a specific composition of five primordial elements known as Pancha Mahaabhoota. Human beings embody these five elements in varying proportions¹.

Aakaasha—space
Vaaya—air
Agni—fire
Jala—water
Prithvee—earth

As an example and to provide information about foods, ayurvedic medicine and the five elements are explained in the context of diet and eating relating to a person's life force and constitution.

"The five great elements can be used to describe food. For example, nuts represent earth elements, fruits with high water content such as grapes or watermelon represent water, fire element is represented by spices such as black pepper, foods that produce gas such as broccoli or cabbage represent air element, and intoxicants represent space element. In Ayurveda, food has specific qualities such as hot or cold, oily or dry, and heavy and light to name a few. The quality of the food is important to the physiologic effects of the food. The taste or rasa of the food is also important in its physiologic effects. All of these qualities of food may be used to construct a diet to soothe an aggravated dosha (life force) or to keep one's Prakruti (constitution) in balance¹."

What are the potential benefits of ayurvedic medicine?

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine lists the following potential benefits from ayurvedic treatments.

Eliminates impurities
A process called panchakarma is intended to cleanse the body by eliminating ama. Ama is described as an undigested food that sticks to tissues, interferes with normal functioning of the body, and leads to disease. Panchakarma focuses on eliminating ama through the digestive tract and the respiratory system. Enemas, massage, medical oils administered in a nasal spray, and other methods may be used in panchakarma.

Reduces symptoms
The provider may suggest various options, including physical exercises, stretching, breathing exercises, meditation, massage, lying in the sun, and changing the diet. The patient may take certain herbs—often with honey, to make them easier to digest. Sometimes diets are restricted to certain foods. Very small amounts of metal and mineral preparations such as gold or iron may be recommended.

Increases resistance to disease
The practitioner may combine several herbs, proteins, minerals, and vitamins in tonics to improve digestion and increase appetite and immunity. These tonics are based on formulas from ancient texts.

Reduces worry and increases harmony
Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes mental nurturing and spiritual healing. Practitioners may recommend avoiding situations that cause worry and using techniques that promote release of negative emotions.

What are additional potential benefits of ayurvedic medicine to people affected by cancer?

Ayurvedic medicine may provide a range of potential benefits to people affected by cancer depending upon the person and the intervention. Benefits may include anti-inflammation, immune support, antioxidant activity, and stress reduction, among others. Turmeric is a well-known ayurvedic herb with anti-cancer activity and other health benefits.

What is the history of ayurvedic medicine?

Ayurvedic medicine is a 5000 year-old system that has its origins in the Vedic culture of India. Tibetan medicine and Traditional Chinese medicine both have their roots in Ayurveda. Early Greek medicine also embraced many concepts originally described in the classical Ayurvedic medical texts dating back thousands of years.

Ayurvedic medicine continues to be practiced in India, where nearly 80 percent of the population uses it exclusively or combined with Western medicine. Ayurvedic medicine is also practiced in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan.

For More Information

• Integrative Oncology by Donald Abrams, MD and Andy Weil, MD
• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine's Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction

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Reference

1. Integrative Oncology by Donald Abrams, MD and Andy Weil, MD