Despite the fact that chemotherapy is highly effective in treating many cancers. It is evident that most people experience significant chemotherapy side effects. These side effects can appear sooner or later, and they are distinct. At this time, thinking of an alternative to manage side effects for better comfort is happening, and so ayurveda has been optimistic in view of mitigating the side effects.
This blog,” Can Ayurvedic Medicines Manage Chemotherapy Side Effects?”, will provide a deeper understanding of the role of Ayurveda in managing side effects, especially those associated with conventional cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy. Let us have a look at chemotherapy and its effects.
Chemo And Radiotherapy And Its Side Effects
Acute side effects that appear soon after therapy ends are followed by intermediate or late side effects (occurring months or years after the therapy). So, chemotherapy can cause a number of serious side effects, including alopecia, mucositis, diarrhea, nausea, and constipation.
Even If The Radiation Therapy Is Administered Locally, It Can Produce Systemic Side Effects Such As
- Fatigue
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Alteration in the taste issue
- Sleeping disorders
- Headache
- Anemia
- Dry skin
- Constipation etc.
Likewise, Late Complications Of These Therapies Also Include
- Pharyngitis
- Esophagitis
- Laryngitis
- Persistent dysphagia
- Fatigue
- Hepatotoxicity including infertility and cognitive deficits.
These arrays of side effects have a devastating effect on the quality of life of cancer survivors today. The medications may cause myelosuppression. This can result in decreased hemoglobin, blood platelets, and white blood cells. Due to this condition, patients are unable to complete their chemotherapy rounds on time.
Can Ayurveda Compensate?
In a recent survey, Ayurveda Treatment has been found to significantly handle the negative effects of chemotherapy. It allows patients to tolerate it. Because, medications used in chemotherapy mostly affect the gastrointestinal tract. But, the Ayurvedic approach to treat this illness enhances appetite, encourages digestion. As mentioned above, it relieves symptoms including nausea, vomiting, appetite loss, stomatitis, diarrhea, constipation, and other problems too.
By application, the excessive heat caused by chemotherapy medications can be effectively reduced by ayurvedic medicines. Because they have anti-inflammatory properties. Patients will no longer feel burning sensations in their eyes, hands, and soles.
Also, ayurvedic medications can enhance blood count by eliminating blood toxins. They might be very helpful in maintaining hemoglobin, Leucocytes (WBC count), and blood platelets. Therefore, most patients are able to complete their chemotherapy course in the predicted amount of time. Due course, ayurvedic medicines might aid in keeping their blood counts stable.
How Does Ayurveda Interpret This Condition?
It is necessary to examine the dominant adverse effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy from an ayurvedic perspective. Then, it seems that they are indications of an aggravated pitta dosha, particularly under the set of conditions known as Raktapitta (hemorrhage) or Rakta dushti (vascular inflammation).
Therefore, Ayurveda-based therapies propose the formulations that have been extracted from classical Vedic literature and ancient texts. This information would assist medical professionals and cancer patients in preventing severe side effects from chemo-radiotherapy. Besides, recent Ayurvedic therapies are relatively affordable, and the treatments are widely accessible and secure. These straightforward Ayurvedic Treatments may improve the quality of life for cancer patients and serve as a crucial immunity booster after chemo-radiotherapy.
Rasayana Chikitsa At Punarjan Ayurveda
We suggest Rasayana Chikitsa deal with cancer in the first step. Also, rasayanas may manage the side effects of chemo and radio therapies.
There are eight branches in ayurvedic medicine. And, rasayana exerts its effects in a variety of ways. It implies that probable methods could involve cellular detoxification mechanisms, immunological activation, and the squelching of free radicals. Moreover, this medication can regenerate injured proliferating tissues by stimulating cell division and self-renewal. With customized formulations, it can also repair damaged non-proliferating cells. Last but not least, it replenishes them by replacing any damaged or deprived cells with new ones. Eventually, rasayana might stop further cancer cell development. Punarjan Ayurveda hospitals constantly strive hard to provide a better quality of life for cancer survivors.
Anti-Cancer Properties of Ayurveda ingredients
Ashwagandha:
In a few animal studies, researchers discovered that Withaferin A, an ingredient in Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), is helpful in reducing the size of breast tumors. It can also reduce the area of microscopic tumors while controlling the rates of pulmonary metastasis. Thus, Aswagangadha can selectively kill cancer cells by inducing ROS-signaling.
Bhandirah
In another study, Bhandirah (Clerodendrum viscosum) was found to have pro-apoptotic, anti-proliferative, and anti-migratory properties. Therefore, it can fight against cervical cancer cell lines, and this is proven in a dose-dependent manner.
Haridra
Moving on, researchers found that Haridra (Curcuma longa), contains the active chemical curcumin. This chemical binds to the cancer cell surface membrane before penetrating the cytoplasm in order to start the apoptotic process. Also, it was noted that curcumin caused the cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and growth suppression in glioblastoma and medulloblastoma cells. This discussion demonstrates the anti-cancer properties of curcumin.
Manjistha
A recent in-vitro study worked on the herb manjistha (Rubia Cordifolia). This herb is commonly used to induce apoptosis in HEp-2 (a human laryngeal cell line). Cytotoxicity, morphological alterations, and modification in the levels of pro-oxidants being the evidence.
Palash
According to a different study, Butea monosperma (Palash) which is an aqueous extract is able to suppress the cell growth and the accumulation of cells in the G1 phase. Furthermore, this induces apoptotic cell death and reduces all levels of activated Erk1/2 and SAPK/JNK significantly.
Triphala
With all the above, Triphala is another effective ayurvedic formulation for cancer care. Numerous plants with medicinal properties are also used to make ayurvedic formulations that can significantly reduce the impact of side effects caused by chemo and radiotherapies.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Rasayana Ayurveda can better control cell growth and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As a result, giving Rasayana chikitsa to cancer patients in addition to chemotherapy and radiation treatment can enhance their quality of life.
In this way, today’s ancient ayurvedic practice offers a glimmer of hope for the successful integration of an allopathic modality and Ayurvedic medicine as an adjuvant. Using this way, the patient’s quality of life is significantly improved. This may also lengthen the patient’s lifespan. Rasayana chikitsa, in a nutshell, is a successful immune boosting therapy for shielding the patient’s health from the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Also Read: Major 10 Reasons For Why Ayurveda Is The Best Medical System For Health
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This information on this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or standard medicines. All content on this site contained through this Website is for general information purposes only.