Ayurvedic Herbs for Treatment of Cancer

Cancer is one of the most dreaded diseases in the world and in United States it is the leading cause of death, it accounts for 25% of all the deaths in humans presently.

Ayurvedic therapies are able to cure cancer better than western medical practices. The ancient Indian medicine has evolved and has been a center of attraction among researchers for its therapeutic qualities curing cancer treatment on a scientifically proven research background.

Lets have a look at few of the herbs for Cancer treatment

1. Triphala

Triphala is an herbal formulation used in the Indian medicinal system of Ayurveda for the treatment of various ailments. It consists of three medicinal plants: Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, and Terminalia belerica. It is also used for treating anemia, jaundice, constipation, asthma, fever, chronic ulcers, inflammation, obesity and to strengthen the immune system against infections such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and AIDS. Triphala was shown to have beneficial effects in studies done in laboratory. Triphala has shown to have high antioxidant level, required for fighting cancer.

2. Ashwagandha :

A popular Ayurvedic medicinal substance derived from the root and berry of the plant. Extracts of the root also increase the number of red and white blood cells and platelets in the blood. Ashwagandha has been shown to relax the central nervous system. Studies in laboratories have shown that extracts of ashwagandha kill some cancer cells and enhance some immune cells. It is thought that the structure of Ashwagandha extracts may damage the cancer cells ability to generate the energy it needs to reproduce.

3. Green tea (Camellia sinensis):

Green Tea has been shown to reduce the incidence of a variety of cancers, including the most impossible to cure, pancreatic cancer, and also to prevent stomach, colon, and breast and lung cancer. This conclusion was based upon a study of the population of China which showed that as tea consumption increased, cancer rates sharply decreased. A study in Japan showed green tea to reduce the likelihood of metastasis in patients with breast cancer and overall improved prognosis. Still, the main action of green tea appears to be preventative and its effects in patients with cancer are largely unknown.

4. Cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa):

Ithas shown to actually reduce cancerous cellular growth. These studies were performed on leukemic cell lines in 1998.

5. Madagascan Periwinkle (Vinca Roseus):

Itis a herb from which anti-cancer drugs have been produced. The young leaves contain two phytochemicals used to produce the drugs vinblastine and vincristine. These drugs help to treat leukemia and lymphoma. It has also been used in the treatment of breast cancer.

6. Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia)

It has shown to have mild antineoplastic activity and is often used as a part of uterine and ovarian cancer formulas.

References:

Clinical article on Cancer Management by Dr. Marc Harplen (California  College of Ayrurveda)

Hartwell JL. Plants used against cancer. A survey. Lloydia 1969;32:247–96.