An Ayurveda approach to combat toxicity of chemo-radiotherapy in cancer patients

Abstract

Cancer is a dreadful disease of global concern, affecting a large population both in developed & in developing countries. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer incidence rates have risen by 23% in males & by 43 % in females since mid-1970s. Deaths arising from cancer constitute 2- 3% of the annual deaths worldwide. In cancer, there is no perfect treatment available to kill the abnormal growth of cells. Chemo - radiotherapy is usually done to kill these cells but these therapies in return, produces severe toxicity or side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sleep disturbance, anaemia, alopecia, hepatotoxicity etc. which have a devastating effect on quality of life of patients. Through an Ayurveda prospective, these adverse effects can be taken as manifestation of aggravated of pitta dosh especially under the group of raktapitta or raktadushti (vascular inflammations). Our enriched Ayurveda is full of medicinal herbs like ginger, garlic, turmeric etc. which can, not only, reduce toxicity of these therapies but can also improve general wellbeing & immunity of patients. This paper deals with these types of herbs which can help in curbing this problem.