Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic medicine, originated in India and is one of the oldest medical systems in the world. It is gaining popularity in the United States as a form of complementary medicine and, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and a study from 2007, more than 200,000 American adults had used Ayurvedic medicine in the previous year. The purpose of Ayurvedic medicine is to balance the body, mind and spirit. It can be used alone to treat medical conditions such as lung cancer or in partnership with traditional treatments. Before beginning any treatment, consult with your physician or health care provider.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer begins in the lungs and comes in two main types: non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type while small cell only accounts for about 20 percent of all lung cancer cases. Lung cancer is the most fatal of the cancers with more deaths each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. The most common causes of lung cancer include cigarette smoking, secondhand smoke, air pollution, asbestos and exposure to cancer-causing agents such as uranium, coal and diesel exhaust. Traditional treatments vary depending on the type of lung cancer but will normally include chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.
Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words ayur, which means life, and veda, which means science, so the true definition of Ayurveda is the science of life. It originated thousands of years ago in India and its main objective is to integrate and balance the body, mind and spirit in order to prevent illness and promote wellness. There are two ancient books written some 2,000 years ago, "Caraka Samhita" and "Sushruta Samhita," that serve as the texts for Ayurvedic medicine. Interconnectedness between people, their health and the universe are the foundation for how Ayurvedic practitioners work. Main principles include the prakriti, or the body's constitution or general health, and the doshas, or life forces. Each person has three doshas known as vata, pitta and kapha and diseases are believed to be related to how the doshas are balanced.
Ayurvedic Medicines and Herbs
According to A. A. Mundewadi, M.D., the chief Ayurvedic physician at Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic in India, there are a variety of medicines and herbs used to treat lung cancer and are designed to treat lung tissue specifically. Medicines used include Bhallatak-Asav, Chaturbhuj-Ras, Drakshasav, Hema-Garbha-Ras, Kantakari-Avleha, Karpuradi-Churna, Laxmi-Vilas-Ras, Nag-Guti, Pippalyadi-Ghrut, Ras-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Sitopaladi-Churna, Talisadi-Churna and Vasavaleha. Herbal medicines include Behada, Bharangee, Bhruhat-Kantakari, Dhatura, Kantakari, Kushtha, Pippali, Pushkarmool, Vasa and Yashitimadhuk.
Considerations
When it comes to treating lung cancer, many options are available to you. You can follow traditional therapy consisting of chemotherapy and radiation, Ayurvedic medicine or a combination of both. Whichever you decide, make sure your health care provider is aware of all medical treatment you are receiving. This is especially true if you are using combination therapy. Many herbs can interact with chemotherapy drugs and reduce their effectiveness.
