this pdf contains a compilation of various presentations and papers to get an idea how Ayurved -Panchakarma- Herbal treatment can be helpful to combat Cancer, chemotherapy, Radio therapy hazards, antitumor activities of plants, role of Ayurveda diet in prevention of cancer

1. “ROLE OF AYURVEDA IN THE
MANAGEMENT OF CANCER”
Consultant for Cancer and Blood disorders
Reader, Dept of Rasashashtra, SGAM, GAU
Ex-Director
–Pharmacy of Gujarat Ayurved University
–Benmoon Pharma Pvt. Ltd. Ahmedabad
Ex-Principal,
–Indian Institute of Ayurved Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Gujarat Ayurveda University, Jamnagar
–jkmodha@gmail.com, 9825273008
Dr. Joban Modha
M.D. Ph.D.(Ayu.) FIOD (USA)

2. KEY WORDS
Ayurveda
Panchakarma
Cancer
Cell protection
Rasayana therapy

3. PRESENT SCENARIO
 Diseases like Cancer, HIV-AIDS,
Hematological, Auto Immune
disorders…
 the complexity is at every level
 therapeutics overall 2.4% survival for 5
years after diagnosis
 drug research is a very costly task
 $ 500 million to 2,000 million

4. Cancer is the second
largest cause of death
after cardiovascular
disease
Somewhere on Earth,
a female dies every 68
seconds because of
breast cancer.
CANCER

5. What does the
word cancer
mean to you?

6. Fear.

8. There are two types of tumours:
Malignant tumours spread to other
areas in the body.
Benign tumours stay in one place.

9. Malignant; Having the property of
invading surrounding tissues
Neoplasm; A new growth of tissue
A malignant neoplasm

12. Cancers develop
because of a
complicated
interaction between
our genes, the
environment and
chance.

13. Normal body cells
grow, divide and die
in an orderly fashion.

14. Cancer cells
are different
because they
do not die,
they just
continue to
grow and
divide in a
disorderly
fashion.

15. Cancer can occur at
any age, but 67% of
cancer deaths occur
in people older than
65 years

16. The image of the normal colon tissue, at left, shows well-formed oval-shaped glands, evenly
lined with a single, organized layer of cells indicated by arrows. The image of the cancerous
colon tissue, in contrast, shows highly disorganized cancer cells stacked upon each other in
an apparently random fashion.
What does cancer look like?

19. 1 Lung
2 Bowel
3 Breast
4 Prostate
5 Oesophagus
6 Pancreas
7 Stomach
8 Bladder
9 Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma
10 Ovary
1 Breast
2 Lung
3 Large Bowel
4 Prostate
5 Bladder
6 Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma
7 Stomach
8 Melanoma
9 Oesophagus
10 Pancreas
Deaths (2005) Incidence (2003)
Source CRUK Website 2006
Cancer Top Ten

20. Survival statistics for
cancer are usually written
as “five year survival” or
“10 year survival”.

21. Compared to France, Germany and the USA, the UK ha
highest death rate per 100,000 of the population (236, 2
194 and 275 respectively)

29. WHY AYURVEDA
 U.S. patent “TURMERIC for healing”
 the project Traditional Knowledge Digital
Library (TKDL).
 a wise step to conserve the knowledge
 35,000 prescriptions
 the solution for these complicated
disorders and safe -standardized
medicines

30. Ayurveda verbally
means “science of life’
Scope & limitations

31. NO MAGICAL
CURE
 Saadhya: the disease which can be cured
easily.
 Krichha Saadhya: the disease which can be
cured after hard efforts and with the help of
Panchakarma and other procedures.
 Yaapya: The diseases which cannot be cured,
but can be stabilize with the help of
medicines and Panchakarma or surgery.
 Asaadhya: the disease which cannot be
cured.

32. AYURVEDA & CANCER
Ayurveda Modern medicine
Charmakeel Keloid
Padminikantaka Papilloma of skin
Shosha / Pandu Leukaemia
Medoja Galganda Hodgkin's lymphoma
Apachi Hodgkin's disease
Agantuja
Stanaroga
Cancer of the breast
Yakrutodara Hepatomegaly due to liver metastasis
Pleehodara Spleenomegaly due to infiltration in spleen
Raktagulma Tumours of uterus / ovary

33. Ayurveda Modern medicine
Rakta, Mamsaja, Medoja, Oshta
Roga
Carcinoma of lips
Kachchapa, Raktarbuda, Mamsa
Sanghata
Carcinoma Palate
Balasa, Gilayu, Kantha Roga Bronchogenic Ca. and lung tumours
Mamsatana Tumours of te pharynx
Swarabhanga Tumours of laryngx
Karnarbuda Cauliflower ear
Ajakajata Staphyloma
Nasa-arsh Neoplastic nasal polyps
Nasaarbuda Rhinoscleroma
Raktapitta, Pandu Various type of leukemia
AYURVEDA & CANCER

34. AYURVEDA
MANAGEMENT
 MAIN OBJECTS OF AYURVEDA:
– Swasthasya Orjaskarm
– Aaturasya Vikar Prashamanam
 Treatments are based on principles. Which
includes:
– Surgery
– Various procedures like Snehana, Swedana,
Vamana, Virechana, Nasyam, Basti,
Ksharakarma, Raktamokshana etc.
– Conservative treatments (Shamana Chikitsa):
herbal, herbo-mineral, processed metals like
Zinc, Copper, Iron etc. are widely used

35. PHLEBOTOMY
A phlebotomy is a procedure
used to remove blood from a
person.
It is the opposite of a
transfusion, which is a way to
give blood to a person.
PHLEBOTOMY vis. a vis.
RAKTAMOKSHANA IN
AYURVEDA

36. Role of Ayurveda in cancer
management :
1. As prophylactic,
2. palliative,
3. curative
4. supportive treatment to improve
quality of life (QOL)
5. Dietary advises, (does and don'ts)

37. Role of Ayurveda in cancer
management :
1. As adjuvant or co-therapy along with chemotherapy or
radio therapy; & Post surgery care-
1.To minimize the side effects of these therapies.
2.In reducing the therapeutic doze of the various drugs
used as in some studies on cow urine.
3.Can be helpful in targeting the specific tissues as in
some studies on nano-particles of gold.
2. To slower the progress of the cancer, when chemo
therapy, radio therapy or surgery is contra-indicated due
to many reasons and patients have no other choice;
3. Anti tumor action with the help of herbal/herbo-mineral
compounds found to be effective in some studies.
4. Cell protective activity of drugs prescribed in Rasayana
therapy: to improve comfort and the quality of life for
individuals with cancer.

38. Ayurveda : The key factors
Drug regimen according to body
type of the patient;
Drug regimen according to the
vitiated Dosha;
Drug as a whole;
– Role of various extracts like water
soluble, freeze dried, alcohol
soluble…
The chronicity of the disease.

39. As adjuvant or co-therapy along with
chemotherapy or radio therapy:
The use of antioxidants during
chemotherapy enhances therapy
by reducing the generation of
oxidative stress induced
aldehydes.

40. RASAYANA
 In Ayurveda, Rasayana doesnot mean
chemicals
 Rasayana therapy enriches Rasa Dhatu
with nutrients to help one attain
– longevity,
– memory, intelligence,
– health,
– youthfulness,
– excellence of luster, complexion & voice,
– optimum development of physique and
sense organs,
– mastery over phonetics,(Vaaksiddhi)
– respectability and brilliance.

41. As adjuvant or co-therapy along with
chemotherapy or radio therapy:
 Rasayana herbs and formulas are
similar to adaptogens but although the
categories overlap, they are not
identical.
 Adaptogens are nontoxic herbs that
work in a nonspecific way to balance
the normal physiology of the body, by
acting upon the HPA axis and the
neuroendocrine system.
 Rasayanas are nontoxic herbs or
formulas which balance the body in a
generalized way although they may
work on a specific organ or function
and do not necessarily affect the HPA
axis.

42. As adjuvant or co-therapy along with
chemotherapy or radio therapy:
 To protect body from the side effects (of chemo
and radio therapy) like Alopecia, Nausea, Nail
changes, Constipation, Anorexia and Vomiting.
 Myelo-suppression one of the fatal toxicity of
chemotherapy led to delay in the schedule of
chemotherapy. The patients who are receiving
the Ayurveda Rx along with CT have also shown
more regularity in maintaining the chemotherapy
cycles as the hematological levels can be
maintained up to normal state.
 More than 50 research work has been carried out
at M.D. and Ph.D. level on cancer at various
Ayurvedic institutes including Gujarat Ayurveda
University,

43. As adjuvant or co-therapy along
with chemotherapy or radio therapy:
 Interestingly, Snehanakarma i.e. intake
of various medicated ghee or oil
preparations in a classical way a week
or 10 days prior to chemo therapy or
radio therapy have also shown less
toxic effects during RT/CT.

44. To slower the progress of the
cancer:
 There are many conditions when
chemo therapy, radio therapy or
surgery are contra indicated or not
prescribed due to many reasons like
the age factor, body resistance, severe
side effects, location etc.
 In that case doctor or patients have no
other choice left other than to slow
down the progression.
 Many patients do not prefer such
modern management or some have
deep faith in Ayurveda.

45. Anti-tumor Plant drugs:
 At the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) in Bombay,
more than 600 species of indigenous (drugs) plants
have been screened using standard transplantable
tumors. Eight plants have exhibited meaningful
anti-cancer properties.
 The Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) at
Lucknow started in 1964, a programme for the
screening of plant extract for a wide range of
biological activities. CDRI has found out about 70
plants whose anti-cancer activity has been
confirmed.
 In the USA, the Cancer Chemotherapy National
Service Centre (CCNSC), now incorporated into
the Development Therapeutic Programme (DTP)
has screened thousands of plant extracts against
standard tumor systems consisting of solid tumors
and leukemias.

46. 4. Cell protective activity:

50. Dietary does and don’ts according
to Ayurveda

51. DRUGS AND HERBS OF AYURVEDA CAN
BE USED IN TREATMENT OF CANCER
 Every plant contains thousands of
various alkaloids, steroids, flavinoids,
terpinoids and other molecules with
bioactivity, and Ayurveda preparations
may consist of many different plants.
 The presence of such a wide variety of
ligands suggests that the preparation
may be acting on a wide variety of
tissues through a number of different
mechanisms.
 So it is always advisable to prescribe
drug as a whole instead of specific
derivative.

52. AHARA
VIHARAAUSHADHA
THREE MAJOR CONSTITUTES ARE IMPORTANT TO
MAINTAIN THE PHYSICAL & MENTAL HEALTH

53. Bala – Immunity
General
Rasa
Rakta
Mansa
Meda
Asthi
Majja
Shukra
SpecificInherent
Strength

54. Bala - Immunity
By birth
Seasonal
Acquired

55. Target of Treatment
Control of Cell division
Promoting Apoptosis
Improving Tissue Immunity
Fortifying defense of probable target
tissue of metastases
Preventing Recurrence

56. Basic Treatment Modalities
Reducers
(Langhana)
Augmenters
(Bruhana)

57. Basic Treatment Modalities
Augmenters
(Bruhana)
Water
Earth
Reducers
(Langhana)
Space
Air
Fire

58. Basic Treatment Modalities
Reducers
(Langhana)
Pacifiers
(Shamana)
Purifiers
(Shodhana)
Medicines that balances vitiated
dosha without removing them
from body
Medicines that dislodge and
expel vitiated dosha from body
Panchakarma
Vamana, Virechana, Basti,
Nasya, Raktamokshana

59. Rasa Properties
Augmenters
Reducers
Sweet
Earth
Water
Salty
Water
Fire
Amla
Earth
Fire
Bitter
Spac
e
Air
Pungent
Fir
e
Air
Astringent
Earth
Air
Absolute bruhana
Absolute langhana
Relative langhana

60. Treatment
 Dosha balancing
 Panchakarma
 Medicine
 Rasayana
 Dhatu Specific
 Panchakarma
 Medicines
 Rasayana

62. DRUGS AND HERBS OF AYURVEDA CAN
BE USED IN TREATMENT OF CANCER
(a) Brain Cancer -Shatavari (Aparagus),
Yashtimadhu (licorice), Mandukaparni
(Bacopa ) & Kastoori Bhairav Rasa,
Brahmi Vati, Smritisagar Rasa etc.
(b) Oropharyngeal Cancers – Pathyadi
kwath, Varunadi Kwath, Kaishor
guggulu, Kasamarda (Cassia
oxidentalis), Mahalaxmivilas Rasa etc.
(c) Lung Cancers – Malla sindura, Samir
pannaga Rasa, Somal Bhasma,
Kantakari, Vyaghri, Vasasava,
Kanakasava, Chitraka Haritakiavaleha,
Bhallatakavaleha, Pippali (Piper longum),
Hirak Rasayana etc.

63. DRUGS AND HERBS OF AYURVEDA CAN
BE USED IN TREATMENT OF CANCER
(d) Stomach Cancers: Shatavari (Asparagus
resimosus), Amlaki (Philanthus amblica),
Aloe Vera, Changeri Ghrita,
Mahakalyanaka Ghritam, Bhomi Amalaki,
(Philanthus nurare), Avipattikara
Churnam, etc.
(e) Intestinal Cancers: Shigru (Moringa
olifera), Panchamrit parpti, Brihada
Gangadhara Churnam, Kutaja Ghanavati,
Kutaja avaleha, etc.
(f) Female Genital Cancers: Ashoka (Saraka
Ashoka), mukta panchamrita rasa, Fala
Ghrita, Dhanvantara Tailam etc.

64. DRUGS AND HERBS OF AYURVEDA CAN
BE USED IN TREATMENT OF CANCER
(g) Mail Genital Cancers: Shilajit, vanga
Bhasma, Chandrodaya Rasa, chyawana
prash, Triphala, Makardhvaja etc.
(h) Liver Cancers; Bhumvamalaki,
Bhallataka, Triphala, Guduchi,
Arogyavardhini, Phalatrikadi Kwatha etc.
(i) Blood Cancers: Somala Bhasma,
Ashvagandha, Samirpannaga rasa,
Anantmula (Hermidesmus indicus)-
Suvarna Vasant Malti Rasa etc.

65. DRUGS AND HERBS OF AYURVEDA CAN
BE USED IN TREATMENT OF CANCER
(j) Bone Cancers: Aabha Gugglu,
Madhu Malini Vasant Rasa, Sariva
etc.
(k) Breast Cancers: Gojivha,
Chinchabhallataka, Jivaniya gana
etc.
(i) Skin Cancers: Manjishtha (Rubia
cordifolia), Sameera Panaga Rasa,
Kaishor Guggulu, Gandhak
Rasayan etc.

66. (2) DRUGS FOR SYMPTOMATIC
RELIEF:
pain relief All Gugglu preparations,
Swedana
nausea and
vomiting
Sutshekhar ras, Chhardiripu
Vati
Shatavari etc.
récurrent
infections
Gandhak Rasayan,
Mahalaxmivilas Ras
loose motions Bilva, Tankan, Mayurpichha,
Kutaja
pain in the
abdomen
Shankhavati, Shigru,
Aamapachana Vati,
Chitrakadivati etc.

67. (2) DRUGS FOR SYMPTOMATIC
RELIEF:
pain in
pancreas and
renal colic
Katuki, Rohitaka, Shamaka yoga
Headaches Pathyadi Kwatha, Navajivana Rasa,
Shirashooladi vajra rasa, etc.for
jaundice Phalatrikadi Kwatha, Katuki,
Triphala, Beejapuraka, trikatu
epistaxis,
bleeding
Praval panchamit, Vasaghrit
bone pain Ashvagandha Tailam, Guggulu,
Aabha+Madhumandura

68. (3) As adjuvant or co therapy
with RT-CT:
 Triphala Rasayana,
 Chyawanprash,
 Aamalaki Rasayana,
 Amrit Rasayana,
 Brahm Rasayana,
 Kamdugdha Ras,
 Laxami Vilas Ras,
 Laxman Vilas Ras,
 Makrdhawaj vati,
 Mukta Panchamrit
Rasayana,
 Nari Kalyan Pak,
 Navjeevan Ras,
 Navratna Ras,
 Navratnakalp Amrit,
 Panchamrit Ras,
 Smritisagar Ras,
 Suvarna Vasant Malti,
 Swapanmehtank,
 Vasant Kusmakar
Ras,
 Visha Rasaayana,
 Brihada Vangeshwar
Rasa,
 Chandanadi powder,
etc.

70. KEY TO SUCCESS:
Prognosis
Antaratma pravishyasi
Avoid multidrug therapy
HOPE
Stick to basics of Ayurved

71. CONCLUSION
 To add years to life, and to add life to
years.

72. REFERENCES:
 Adams C, Brantner V. "Estimating the cost of new drug
development: is it really 802 million dollars?". Health Aff
(Millwood) 25 (2): 420-8. PMID 16522582.
 Johnston, Barbara and Webb, Ginger (1997). "Turmeric
Patent Overturned in Legal Victory". HerbalGram Fall 1997
(41): 11.
 Sushrut Samhita Nidana Sthanam 13
 Sushrut Samhita Nidana Sthanam 13
 Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthanam 16.
 Sushrut Samhita Nidana Sthanam 11
 Sushrut Samhita Nidana Sthanam 11
 Sushrut Samhita Nidana Sthanam 10
 Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthanam. 13.
 Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthanam 13

73. REFERENCES:
 Tillotson, Alan, AHG, PhD D.Ay, Understanding Herbs.
 Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthanam 1
 Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. Adaptogens: Herbs for
Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, Healing Arts Press,
2007
 Bhavana Bhoot et al, Poorvi Vyas et al, I.P.G.T. & R.A.
Gujarat Ayurveda University Jamnagar.
 Zankhana Mankad et al, I.P.G.T. & R.A. Gujarat Ayurveda
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