What is Cancer? What does Ayurveda say about its appearance and management?

ABSTRACT

Cancer is a disease caused when body cells divide in undisciplined fashion and spread into neighboring tissues. The basic cause of cancer is mutations in DNA. Most of DNA mutations occur in sections of DNA called genes that are cancer-causing. Genetic changes are another term for such mutations. Cancer cells divide very fast and affect the functions of the healthy cells hence affects and thus results in the disturbance in the functions of a body.

In Ayurveda, the cancer or tumor can be related with Arbud. Acharyas, especially Acharya Sushruta (also known as Father of Surgery) had given causes, symptoms, pathophysiology, and management in detail about the various types of Arbud. Let’s discuss arbud in brief and know how to deal with it with an Ayurvedic perspective.

INTRODUCTION

Acharya had quoted this shloka in Sushruta Samhita Nidana Sthana 11 verse 13.

It means when the vatadi dosha got vitiated they start disturbing the dhatus (body tissues) & create round, stable, having low pain that increases gradually & slowly in size and is usually found without suppuration swelling like collection which is termed as Arbud by Ancient surgeons.,

Types of Arbud & Their General Appearance

Acharya further divided Arbud in 6 types which includes Vatik, Pattik, Shleshmik , raktaj, Mansaj and medoj. Due to different types & different shapes occupied by the tumour cells Arbud are difficult to classify but for convenience it can be divided into Sudam (benign) or Durdam (Malignant).

1. Sudam Arbud (benign tumor) : The symptoms of Sudam Arbud as given in Sushruta Samhita Nidana Sthana chapter 11 verse 21 is as follows:


It states that generally all benign tumors are free from suppuration because these contain predominance of kapha and medha which makes it steady and it may appear like granthi (cyst).


Some of the commonly found Sudam arbud (benign tumor) are:

• Ankurarbud (papilloma)
• Sautrik tantbarbud (Fibroma)
• Kshtankiya Sautriktantbarbud (Keloid)
• Vsarbud (Lipoma)
• Granthyarbud (Adenoma)
• Tantrikarbud (Neuroma)
• Raktvahinyarbud (Haemangioma)
2. Durdam Arbud (Malignant tumors): Acharya Sushruta had described Asrigabdur (cancer) & mansarbud (sarcoma) as non-treatable. Features of Asrigabdus as quoted by Acharya Sushruta in Sushruta Nidana sthana 11.

   This shloka means that the asrigaarbud is fluid filled with swollen fatty or muscular structure, which grows rapidly and is filled with sprout-like fatty overgrowths. These structures regularly secrete blood. This condition is non- treatable.

Few of the commonly found Durdam arbud (malignant tumor) are:

Asrigabdur (Carcinoma)

• Granthil Asrigarbud (Glandular carcinoma e.g. Carcinoma simplex, Adeno-carcinoma etc.)
• Pattiya Asrigabdur (Squamous carcinoma such as blood borne metastasis).

Mansarbud (Sarcoma)
Acharya described it as painless, sloughy, having natural color, suppuration less, hard like stone and motion less tumour. This type of tumor commonly occurs in the person with poor muscular/ fatty build or the person who is habitual of taking excessive non- vegetarian diets.

• Sautrik Mansarbud (Fibro-sarcoma)
• Lasika mansarbud (Lympho-sarcoma)

MANAGEMENT

Acharya Sushruta had given a general line of management for Arbud i.e.

• Vattik Arbud must be managed with Raktvistravan i.e. bloodletting therapy.
• Pattik Arbud with dehan karma (heat therapy) with Ksharadi (alkali like substances).
• And the rest i.e. Kaphaj, raktaj, mansaj and medoj must be managed with surgical excision & removal of the concerned tumor. If some part of it remained in the body during excision there is a high possibility of disease to manifest again.

Despite this management there are various shaman chikitsa which can be given to the patient with cancer to get very good results & even the recovery of the disease. Various Ras preparations (purified mineral products) described in ancient texts have a great role in managing these types of conditions, they prove as a lifeline for the patients with cancer. One of which is Ras Manikya which is the fine powder prepared from hartal i.n. purified Arsenic Sulphide. But the dose of these drugs is very very less and is decided by the Ayurvedic Physician very carefully. There are many herbs that have anticancer effects that can shrink the size of tumor or can reduce its symptoms such as yastimadhu kashayam is very much effective in supporting the management of thyroid cancer or its postoperative complications.
Planet Ayurveda is a manufacturing hub that manufactures the herbal drugs that are obtained from natural resources. Our experts has suggested a life supporting pack & Crab care pack for better supplement to cancer patients: 

Life supporting pack include:

1. Green Essentials
2. Amalaki Rasayan
3. Spirulina Capsules      
4. Manjistha Capsules    
5. Wheat Grass Powder
6. Moringa Capsules

Crab care pack include:

1. Ashwagandha Capsules         
2. Curcumin Capsules    
3. Kanchnaar Guggul     
4. Tulsi Capsules
5. Guggul Capsules        
6. Chanderprabha Vati

ABOUT PRODUCTS

The drugs mentioned above are purely herbal and contain very essential nutrients that are very much essential for the body. These Amlaki rasayan (contains the extract of Emblica officinalis), Shigru (Moringa oleifera), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Curcumin (Curcuma longa) these all drugs are having multiple therapeutic effects & are these contain antioxidants in large amount which helps in scavenging the toxin from the body. Kanchnaar guggul is the best Ayurvedic remedy to reduce any inflammation in the body or body tissue. Guggul (Commiphora mukul) is well known for its anti-inflammatory as well as lipid reducing ability. Chandraprabha vati is also a classical product which is having a great effect in reducing swelling by some of its diuretic effects. Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) is the best blood purifier & Spirulina capsule is an algae extracted product which is highly rich in nutrients. Apart from these wheat grass powder & green essentials & tulsi capsules are also full of various vitamins, minerals & other essential nutrients that provide a better support to the cancer patients.

DIET CHART

As discussed above, cancer is a condition that arises when there is uncontrolled and abnormal division of the cells which result in malignant tumors or over growths. The cancerous cells in this condition a balanced and nutritious diet is very important. Try to take nutritious balanced diet with lots of high-protein, antioxidants and high-calorie. Ayurveda, being a life science also focused on pathapathays i.e. dos & don’ts regarding diet & lifestyle modification.

DIET CHART TO SUPPORT LIFE

EARLY-MORNING

Coconut water with ginger & Basil leaves: Start the morning with a glassful of coconut water (400-500mL). Coconut water is a rich & natural source of minerals. Along with it one can have a ginger (little piece), basil leaves 2-3 leaves are sufficient.

Luke warm water- Start morning with 2 glasses of lukewarm water. It will facilitate easy passing of stool & also clarifies the system. In Ayurveda, ushanodak (lukewarm water) is best to be consumed as a drink.

BREAKFAST

Fruits are advised to be consumed during breakfast. A freshly prepared fruit salad made from any of the available seasonal fruits would be perfect for the breakfast.

MID-MORNING

Herbal Smoothie made from green leaves is best for a mid-morning time snack. It is rich in vitamins & other nutrients. It will prevent dehydration & when it is used regularly it has the ability to clarify the blood.

Herbal tea that contains cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, basil leaves, and chia seeds must be prepared freshly & consumed. 1 cup is enough.

LUNCH

25% salad – any seasonal salad should be used. Salad must be consumed before the rest of the meal. One can start the meal just after finishing the salad.
25% cereals- Cereals preferably millets
25% vegetables – Any seasonal vegetable
25% pulses

EVENING TIME

Pumpkin juice / any pulses based dish / pulse soup / two raw tomatoes.

DINNER

The constitution of the dinner will be similar to that of the lunch.

DIET INSTRUCTIONS

CEREALS

Cereals to be consumed – Positive grains that include brown top millets, barnyard millets, kodo millets, foxtail millets, little millets must be consumed for days each & then changed alternatively to get better results.
Cereals to be avoided – All refined grains including refined flour & white rice etc.

FRUITS

Fruits to be consumed – Any available seasonal fruits can be consumed. Watermelons, dates, palms, apples, pears, peaches, kiwi, figs, berries, coconut, banana, melons, avocado, guava, oranges and cherries etc.
Fruits to be avoided – Fruit juices that are packed and are contained in plastic containers as they contain preservatives which are harmful for health. Frozen fruits extracts & non seasonal fruits.

VEGETABLES

Vegetables to be consumed – Green leafy vegetables including spinach, radish leaves, beetroot leaves, baathu, cholai etc, peas, pumpkin, onions, parsley, broccoli, ash gourd, carrot, mushrooms, cabbage, okra, round gourd, sweet potatoes and ridge gourd, bitter gourd etc. can be consumed.

Vegetables to be avoided – Frozen vegetables, non-seasonal vegetables, rotten vegetables, stale vegetables stored in the refrigerator.

PULSES

Pulses to be consumed – Moong daal (Vigna radiata), masoor dal (Lens culinaris), green gram, soybeans and split chickpeas and red lentils etc.

SPICES

Spices to be consumed – Cumin, turmeric, ginger, pepper, coriander fennel, & cinnamon.
Spices to be avoided – Red chilies

DRINKS

Drinks to be consumed – Coconut water, Smoothie of greens, vegetable/pulse soup, lukewarm water, freshly prepared fruit juice, pumpkin juice, tomato juice.
Drinks to be avoided – Alcohol, cold drinks, packed/canned juices.

NON VEGETARIAN FOODS

Flesh Foods to be avoided – All kinds of non-vegetarian diets should be avoided such as pork, mutton, red meat, chicken, eggs etc.

DRY FRUITS AND SEEDS

Dry Fruits are the powerhouse of carbohydrates and are always carried with the person in a tiffin as emergency food. These must be soaked & peeled off before use. Walnut, almonds, cashew nuts, resins, date palms etc.

DAIRY PRODUCTS

All dairy products such as milk, cheese, etc. should be avoided. Patients can use takra (buttermilk) & small amounts of curd (occasionally).

OILS

Oils to be consumed – Mustard oil, olive oil
Oils to be avoided – Any refined oil.

Contact my assistant to provide you the costing / ordering and delivery information at – costing.planetayurveda@gmail.com or call at +91-172-5214030 Or Check Website – www.PlanetAyurveda.com

CONCLUSION

Here in this article we discussed the Ayurvedic correlation of Arbud and its management in brief according to Ayurveda and a main focus to the healthy diet plan that gives the patient & his/her body to develop immunity & fight from the disease. Despite going for chemotherapy & radiotherapy which had its dozens of deadly side effects and living on rest of the life on steroids it’s better to shift to herbal medicines and a healthy lifestyle, a perfectly balanced diet plan, there is a better chance of getting relieve from most of the symptoms & even chance of getting a better support without side-effects. In case of any query kindly visit WWW.PlanetAyurveda.com