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The word “Cancer” is said to have come from a Greek word “karkinos” referring to a crab, which was used to describe carcinoma tumors by the Greek physician Hippocrates (460–370 B.C), but he was not the first to discover this dreadful disease. Some of the earliest evidence of human bone cancer, Osteosarcoma, was found in mummies in ancient Egypt and in ancient manuscripts dating about 1600 B.C. Ayurvedic texts offer the oldest description of Cancer and it’s treatment, dating back more than 5000 years, by classifying it as “Karkata Arbuda” – a tumor like formation that grows like a scorpion. Other tumors are classified by other Sanskrit terms such as “Granthi,” “Arbuda,” and “Gandamala”. These often refer to abscesses or smaller benign tumors occurring in specific regions of the body.
What is Cancer?
Cancer is the abnormal, fast-spreading replication of cells. Normal cells have a regular lifecycle. Each cell has a specific life cycle, after which it dies, and a new, healthy cell is formed. Cancer cells disrupt this cycle by growing exponentially, crowding normal cells and causing large tumors wherever they grow. They then spread from organ to organ, deforming the normal cells in that organ. When cancer cells spread to other organs, those new formations of tumors are called Metastasis (meh-TAS-tuh-sis).
Not all tumors may be cancerous however. If they are not found to be cancerous, they are referred to as Benign and with Ayurveda, are much easier to treat.
Causes of Cancer
According to Ayurveda, Cancer occurs in the body when all three Doshas are out of balance, making it a Tridoshic disease. Furthermore, it is caused by the buildup of toxin, known as Ama, which is accumulated over years of improper diet and regimen, which having been deposited in each cell, causes it to malfunction.
Excessive consumption of junk food
Fried foods, preserved foods – such as canned or boxed meals, frozen dinners
Uncooked or half-cooked, raw foods – especially meat
Foods prepared in an unsanitary manner in restaurants, such as the reuse of oil more than 2 times
Foods that have been exposed to harmful pesticides
Improper food combinations, example – sweet and salty, hot and cold, mixing old food with new fresh food etc
GMO foods
Alcohol
Smoking, Vaping, Hookah
Drug Consumption
Sedentary lifestyle
Lack of exercise
Overexertion of the body, mind and senses
Exposure to electronic gadgets, such as cellphones, Bluetooth receptors, computers, video-gaming equipment, and even WIFI signals.
Hormonal treatments
Signs & Symptoms of Cancer
It is important to recognize that the symptoms mentioned before can denote any illness, and may not necessarily mean that you have Cancer. It is advisable to consult with an Ayurvedic Physician if you are experiencing more than one of these symptoms chronically.
Chronic cough
Heaviness in the chest
Difficult in breathing
Changes in skin texture – moles, spots, lumps and bumps
Changes in breast – moles, lumps, discoloration in the skin
Swollen lymph nodes
Frequent bloating
Pain in the abdomen
Swelling in any part of the body
Change in bowel movements / urination – Blood/pus in the stool or urine
Sudden changes in Menstruation – heavy, painful periods
Foul smelling vaginal discharge
Unexplained weight loss
Chronic heartburn
Chronic weakness and fatigue
Constant back pain
Changes in appearance of nails, eyes, hair, tongue, teeth
Abdominal pain
Depression and mood swings
Frequent fevers and infections
Treatment of Cancer using Ayurveda
Ayurveda uses the principles of restoring balance to the body by returning the Doshas to their proper state of homeostasis and repairing the damaged tissues. As a result of the build up of toxic material in each cell, the first step of treatment is Shodhana or Purification. The srotas (channels) are cleansed with specific Ayurvedic herbs which draw out the ama (toxin) and throws it out of the body through the excretory system.
Once the body is thoroughly cleansed, the process of Rasayana Chikitsa (Rejuvenation therapy) is then started. This is done to rebuild the body again, and improve the Immune system to fight off any infection.
The following Ayurvedic herbs are just some of those frequently used to treat Cancer :
Turmeric
Kanchanar Guggulu
Ashwagandha
Guggulu
Tulsi
Chandraprabha Vati
Guduchi
Wheatgrass
Another unconventional, yet traditional ayurvedic treatment for Cancer is drinking Cow Urine. In India, cows are regarded as sacred animals, mainly because of the extraordinary products they provide us with, such as milk. The urine of the Indian cow is used specifically to treat all types of Cancer. It is rich in nutrients as well as alkaline in nature.
Another scientifically proven element of Cancer treatment is the inclusion of Vitamin B17 in your diet. Vitamin B17, known as Amygdalin, terminates cancerous cells as well as, safeguards the body from the onset, development and spread of cancer in the future.
Other treatment modalities incorporated in healing from Cancer, include daily Yoga and Pranayama exercises.
The following specific Pranayama exercises should be done everyday before sunrise and on an empty stomach.
Nadi Shodhana
Kapalabhati Pranayama
Bhastrika Pranayama
The greatest Cancer therapy practiced in Ayurveda, is Panchakarma – this is a long, but highly beneficial cleansing process of the body. It is advised that one should do a complete Panchakarma therapy at least once every year to rid the body of ama, and maintain good health.
Please be advised that Panchakarma must ONLY be done under the guidance of an Ayurvedic Physician. If this cleansing is not done properly, the residual toxic matter left in the body will cause immense illness and further harm.
