With Ayurveda viewed as an adjuvant to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and post surgery to minimize the side effects, there is considerable interest evinced by traditional healthcare providers and herbal drug manufacturers to offer the much-needed relief to the 7.9 million cancer cases globally.

On the occasion of the World Cancer Day observed annually on February 4, Ayurveda specialists are looking at contributions of the herbs and plant based medicine to treat and control the dreaded disease which affects 7.9 million globally a year. Going by the growing consumption of tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and alcohol consumption, experts estimate that new cases of cancer would jump to 15.5 million by 2030 globally.

This is where AyurVAID Hospitals, promoted by Kochi-based Kerala First Health Services Pvt. Ltd and herbal drug major The Himalaya Drug Company are looking at the segment of oncology as their future growth area. While the former is looking at the scope of Ayurveda treatment and the integrative management of cancer rehabilitation, the latter has chalked out its efforts to strengthen its research activities in areas of oncology.

According to Rajiv Vasudevan, managing director, AyurVAID Hospitals, physicians and researchers in Ayurveda are looking to retard the progress of cancer with the help of a pragmatic and conservative strategy in improving strength and immunity, besides pain management, compensate or reverse the side effects of chemotherapy/ radiotherapy in nausea, vomiting, excessive body heat, fatigue and insomnia.

Ayurveda texts: Charakasamhitha and Susruthasamhitha, classifies cancer as inflammatory or non inflammatory swelling and are called Granthi or Arbuda. “This is where we are also assessing Ayurveda therapy and drug regimes to compensate for loss of strength and immunity during the treatment phase, besides looking to enhance the quality of life of cancer patients during and post conventional modern treatments,” he added.

Pharmabiz had earlier reported that for Himalaya, cancer would be the key focus of research and drug development in the coming years. “There is immense potential for well-researched, safe and efficacious herbal formulations. This is fuelled by a growing realization amongst medical practitioners across specialties that integrated healthcare, incorporating the best of different medical systems, will provide better treatment options to patients”, said Philipe Haydon, president & CEO, pharmaceuticals, The Himalaya Drug Company.

While there are treatment modalities mentioned for the treatment of cancers in classical Ayurveda texts, with the critical and life threatening implications of cancer, a more pragmatic and conservative strategy is to leverage Ayurveda’s ability to be an effective adjuvant to cutting edge cancer treatment methods, averred the AyurVaid Hospitals chief.

At our six centres in the country, Rasaayana or revitalisation therapy is rendered for cancer patients in a personalized and systematic manner process by a team of physicians and dedicated Ayurveda nurses. On discharge, each patient is given a personalized diet and lifestyle plan which helps accelerate recovery at a physical and mental level, stated Vasudevan.