Anticancer herbs in ayurveda: A review

Abstract

Cells are the building blocks of living things. Normal cells multiply when the body needs them, and die when the body doesn't need them. Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancer grows out of normal cells in the body. Cancer appears to occur when the growth of cells in the body is out of control and cells divide too quickly. In the present world of increased life span Cancers account for approximately 13% of all deaths each year. In 2008 approximately 12.7 million cancers were diagnosed and 7.6 million people died of cancer worldwide. There are many reasons for this like increased pollution, altered life style and increasing anxiety levels in the psychosomatic front. In Ayurveda there is mention of a condition similar to cancerous growths, their properties, types, signs and symptoms and treatments. This paper reviews the work done on anticancer properties of some of the herbs.