The Ayurvedic Approach to Breast Well being
Like all tissues and organs in the human system, the female breasts are multidimensional in operate. Their most acknowledged purpose is as exocrine glands, making breast milk for the newborn, a purpose prevalent to all mammalian species. Specified the multidimensional functions of the breasts, a dialogue of breast overall health methods could be sophisticated. As a result, in this post we will limit our dialogue to what ladies can do from the Ayurvedic standpoint to cut down their prospects of establishing the most hazardous of breast illnesses: breast most cancers.
To start with let us briefly evaluation some very simple breast anatomy. Mammary glands are generally hugely modified and specialized sebaceous glands which derive from embryonic ectoderm. The adult breast is composed of glandular tissue, adipose tissue (unwanted fat cells), nerves, blood vessels and lymphatics. Anatomically it overlies the pectoralis big muscle mass and is anchored to the pectoralis fascia by suspensory ligaments regarded as Cooper’s ligaments (not demonstrated). The breast has about 15 to 25 lobes fashioned by teams of “milk glands”, or lobules. Every single lobule is composed of hollow milk developing acini (also called alveoli), and feeds into a milk duct foremost to the nipples. The ducts converge close to the areola, the darker location spherical the nipple, to variety ampullae or milk storage cavities. Close to the areola are smaller glands known as Montgomery’s glands which secrete an oily substance that shields the nipples all through nursing. Lymph nodes in just the breast drain into the axillary lymph nodes in the armpit-the 1st put to which breast most cancers will ordinarily metastasize.
What Is Breast Cancer? The Western Perspective
Most cancers is essentially a disease of failure of regulation of tissue progress. In purchase for a normal mobile to transform into a most cancers cell, the genes which regulate cell progress and differentiation will have to be altered. A gene is a precise sequence of DNA at a distinct spot inside a unique chromosome. Only 5-10% of breast cancers are inherited the broad the greater part is thanks to sporadic, acquired mutations.
The afflicted genes are divided into two broad categories. Oncogenes are genes which market mobile progress and replica. Tumor suppressor genes are genes which inhibit mobile division and survival. Malignant transformation can come about via the development of irregular oncogenes, the inappropriate more than-expression of typical oncogenes, or by the under-expression or finish arrest of tumor suppressor genes. Generally, alterations in numerous genes are expected to completely transform a normal cell into a most cancers cell.
Massive-scale mutations contain a deletion or get of a portion of a chromosome. Gene amplification takes place when a cell gains several copies (usually 20 or a lot more) of a tiny chromosomal locus, usually made up of one or much more oncogenes and adjacent genetic material. Translocation happens when two independent chromosomal locations become abnormally fused, frequently at a unique location. Disruption of a single gene might also end result from integration of genomic product from a DNA virus or retrovirus, and resulting in the expression of viral oncogenes in the afflicted mobile and its descendants, but this is not the circumstance in breast most cancers.
The transformation of regular breast cells into cancer is akin to a chain response induced by first mistakes, which compound into far more significant glitches, each and every progressively permitting the mobile to escape the controls that limit ordinary tissue expansion. This renegade-like circumstance causes an undesirable survival of the fittest, exactly where the pure forces of evolution turn into distorted and function in opposition to the body’s style and harmonious buy. If the amount of DNA harm exceeds the potential of the mobile to repair service it, the accumulation of glitches can overwhelm the mobile and final result in early senescence, apoptosis, or most cancers. As soon as cancer has started to develop, it employs the body’s very own structure to provide its personal harmful and invasive functions.
What Is Breast Most cancers? The Ayurvedic Watch
The female breasts are predominantly Kapha organs, possessing a fatty nature and creating milk, a Kapha fluid. Breast cancer is a tridoshic (involving all three doshas) dysfunction of breast tissue. Triggers are both hereditary and acquired the acquired leads to being bodily, emotional, spiritual, and environmental. Breast cancer is eventually caused by blockage and movement irregularities at each the gross and imperceptibly refined degrees of several srotamsi (channel units).
Nutritional and other actual physical things can enable to lead to breast cancer, or to result in the condition in one particular who presently has the hereditary tendency. Breast most cancers, like any malignant or degenerative condition, may be the consequence of prolonged wrong diet program, mistaken life style, or prajnaparadha (oversight of the intellect). Mistaken routine qualified prospects very first to accumulation of doshas, then in time to acute ailments. If people ailments are taken care of improperly, that is, if the excess doshas (the a few entire body humors) are not expelled and ama (toxic compounds) is not purified, then the imbalance is driven further, ensuing in serious problems. If these serious grievances in turn go untreated or are handled by suppressive approaches with out expelling doshas or cleaning ama, then the surplus doshas will localize in the most harmful or most susceptible tissue, in this circumstance breast tissue, to build sannipatika gulma, a malignant tumor.
Most cancers in Äyurveda is not observed as a discrete disorder, but a milestone on the continuum of doshic aggravation, ama (poisonous waste) accumulation, and srotodushti (channel blockage). A pernicious strength gains accessibility to the particular person by way of the diet, the thoughts, the natural environment, or even the karmic-motivated internal momentum of one’s life. Though modern day medicine has disproven any considerable connection in between fibrocystic breasts or fibroadenoma to breast cancer, Ayurveda considers the two of these benign ailments to be stages in the breast most cancers samprapti. Cancer is a deepening sample of inner disconnection from the system-mind’s better intelligence which sooner or later begins to exhibit its personal warped purpose, momentum, and direction.
Worth of Srotamsi (Channels of Circulation) in Breast Cancer
The total fifth chapter of the Vimanasthana Area of the Charaka Samhita is devoted to the comprehensive description of the srotamsi and their great importance in well being and ailment. The overall body and head includes a big variety of srotas or channels by means of which the standard tissue elements, doshas, and malas circulate. These channels are known as srotas (plural srotamsi). Srotas, this means channels or pores, are existing all through the noticeable system as very well as at the “invisible” or refined amount of the cells, molecules, atoms, and subatomic strata. It is through these channels that nutrients and other substances are transported in and out of our physiology. It is also as a result of these channels that information and facts and intelligence spontaneously flow. When the movement of proper nutrition and energies through these channels is unimpeded, there is wellbeing when there is extra, deficiency, or blockage in these channels ailment can take root.
The channels are, to a specific extent, similar to the different physiological programs of Western medication (e.g. arteries, veins, nerves, digestive tract, and so on.) but also comprise subtler energies equivalent to the meridian procedure of Chinese drugs.
The actions of electrical power in all srotamsi are immediately influenced by stimuli that occur in the intellect, which are conveyed by the Vata electrical power. For this reason mental disturbances, the two mindful and unconscious, can bring about diseases in any of the channels.
Abnormal or deficient mental exercise can induce excessive or deficient circulation in the channels of the entire body. Psychological outbursts or absence of psychological manage have outcomes that are analogous to surges in the channels of the bodily physique and can produce these types of conditions as in strokes, heart assaults, hyperventilation, tremors, etc.
Stanya vaha srota, which is made up of the milk-producing apocrine cells of the lobules, the relevant pituitary hormones (i.e. prolactin), the ducts, ampullae, and nipple, is the key srota included in breast most cancers.
Artava vaha srotas, which consists of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, their hormones (i.e. estrogen, progesterone), secretions and connective tissues and associated pituitary hormones (i.e. FSH, LH) all belong to artava vaha srotas–the channels carrying out feminine reproductive functions. The breasts are also incorporated in this method.
Every single lunar cycle in between menarche and menopause, the proliferation of epithelial cells lining the breast’s lobular acini (expanding from just one to two layers) occurs all through the luteal phase. The breast epithelium, contrary to the endometrium of the uterus, simply cannot be get rid of at the stop of the cycle regression at the close of the cycle is by apoptosis (self-programmed mobile dying). The apoptotic residue (ama) is abundant in the lumens towards the late luteal section of the cycle. Successful removal of this content is important for the breast tissue to continue being healthier and very important.
Samprapti (Pathogenesis)
Due to uncorrected publicity for a ample time period of time to nidanas–inner and exterior causes of doshic vitiation–(a few common examples explained under), the doshas can turn into aggravated and start off a sequence of pathological methods culminating in the creation of a ailment state. The term “samprapti” (from the root “Ap” to lead to, arrive, attain or get hold of “sam” conjunction, union, intensity, completeness) refers to this sequence of doshic-relevant pathology brought on by a person or additional nidanas (results in). Let us think about a quick explanation of this sequence.
Initially, just one or a lot more doshas starts to accumulate somewhere in the human body and quickly gets vitiated (aggravated). Following, the aggravated dosha spills in excess of and begins to spread. In the scenario of breast most cancers, it may perhaps enter the stanya vaha srota or a further associated srota. When it reaches a vulnerable or to some degree weakened area or organ of the entire body, it will stagnate there and begin to combine with and disturb the construction and perform of the local tissues such as in some cases mobile DNA. The tissues of the human body, when spoken of in their balanced condition are of class identified as the dhatus nonetheless when we converse of these exact same tissues with regard to their mixing with vitiated doshas, we always refer to the tissues as dushyas.
This dosha-dusyas sammurcchana is the actual ailment process (sammurcchana suggests “conversation”). The conversation of the doshas and dushyas, together with the unique impact from the web site or organ concerned (adhisthana) leads to the growth very first of unique prodromal attributes, and then of the primary signs or symptoms, of a illness. Involvement of generally Kapha may well result in a fibrocystic breast ailment predominantly Kapha-Vata vitiation might lead finally to fibroadenoma Pitta-Vata can be associated with mastitis and other inflammatory states Tridoshic vitiation can in the long run create most cancers. Remaining untreated the disorder will evolve its exclusive established of difficulties and can arrive at a stage where it is no more time curable by any signifies.
Ayurvedic Prevention and Treatment Technique
The essence of the Ayurvedic strategy is beautifully summed up in one of its well-acknowledged statements, “Avert the risk from health issues right before it comes”. This terse directive emphasizes the significance of correcting imbalances even though nevertheless in their earliest levels and as a result extremely remediable. Ayurveda accomplishes this target as a result of health and fitness courses uniquely tailored to the idiosyncratic properties of every individual. It celebrates our person uniqueness though recognizing our universal Oneness. It is by way of our uniquely created human consciousness, which among other capacities, affords us the monumental electric power of choice, that we can affect our overall health. The favourable and negative health and fitness effects of those selections have been recognized by Ayurvedic sages for 1000’s of decades.
It have to be stated at the outset of this section that, dependent on present amount of out there Ayurvedic expertise, Ayurveda has no position as a major cure for any kind of breast most cancers. Ayurvedic treatment for breast most cancers are useful as complementary remedy in buy minimize aspect outcomes and at times carry about a a lot more in depth reaction to conventional cure. Ayurvedic medications key toughness is as a technique to stop the first ailment or its recurrence and to lengthen survival.
That getting explained, current research is advancing to a rational use of Ayurveda as a most important intervention. Specially, the methanolic leaf extract of Ashwagandha leaf (Withania somnifera) was demonstrated to restore usual p53 operate in tumor cells bearing mutated copies. p53 is a tumor suppressor protein which brings about possibly the total destruction of cells which have irreparably weakened and abnormal DNA or to temporarily arrest mobile replication so that the DNA mend mechanisms can fix the damage. Once repaired p53 then permits the mobile to duplicate. How p53 chooses mobile destruction or arrest is unidentified it is commonly identified as the “guardian angel” of the mobile.
It should be noted that now all breast cancer sufferers should really be below the normal treatment and supervision of a healthcare oncologist.
Sensible Selections That Issue
The Ayurvedic strategy to breast well being centers on food plan, detoxification, way of life and exercise, mental overall health, surroundings and herbal preparations. Also, both equally historic and present-day Ayurvedic physicians also emphasize early detection. Self evaluation of breasts, regular breast examinations by well being care specialists and mammograms if clinically warranted are the solutions.
Diet regime
A person of Ayurveda’s wonderful recognitions is that the body and head obviously continue in the path of stability and, in simple fact, are built to obtain and keep equilibrium and lively health and fitness. The programs and organs that make feasible this exceptional condition of bodily and mental well-being, and the intelligence which directs them all, exist in all of us from start. Cancerous alterations present that, in spite of this inherent balanced inclination, there is an imbalance of the tri-dosha with toxic compounds. Food stuff is the basis of the tissue development approach and health alone. Below are some of the more crucial Ayurvedic tips.
i. To start with and foremost, opt for meals in accordance to both your constitutional sort or your primary doshic imbalance, if known. This will assistance match your food plan to your agni (digestive fire). Your physician may alternatively instruct you to try to eat in accordance to the seasons if you are already in a well balanced state of overall health. Eat natural and organic meals every time possible.
ii. Build a food plan which reduces ama development. A predominantly vegetarian eating plan of meals that are gentle, warm, and cooked will do this. Freshly ready dals and soups, organic veggies prepared with new spices, complete grains these types of as basmati rice, barley, and amaranth, and freshly built flat-breads are great.
iii. Include things like organic cooked prunes, figs, apples, pears, pineapple, papaya, and cooked leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage (cruciferous veggies) in your diet. These foods give fiber, anti-oxidants, and detoxifying results.There is also a burgeoning system of proof that curcumin, a part of turmeric, has breast most cancers protective effects.
iv. Prevent foods that create overall body ama, including leftovers packaged, canned, and frozen foods food items grown with chemicals, GMO’s, pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
v. Restrict the intake of alcoholic drinks of all varieties.
vi. Visceral (stomach) adiposity contributes to the threat for estrogen receptor-destructive breast most cancers in premenopausal women.
Detoxing
As talked about previously mentioned, ama-together with agni and the srotamsi–has large significance in the manifestation of breast most cancers. Ama is principally the end result of the initial ahara rasa (nutrient juices) not staying absolutely digested in the amashaya (small intestines) thanks to irregular jatharagni. Ama then enters the srotamsi in which it brings about srotodushti (pathology of the srota) major to srotorodha (obstruction). This final results in an abnormal or arrested stream of doshas, nutrition and wastes.
The doshas as a result retained can extravasate out of the srota and penetrate the surrounding dhatus (now called dushyas). The web site wherever this interaction happens (dosha-dushya sammurcchana) is the website wherever illness is initiated. If the impairment to the srotas can be prevented or reversed, sickness will be averted.
In Ayurveda breast most cancers mostly requires the channels of the female breasts and of the reproductive process and are known as the Stanya Vaha Srotas and Artava Vaha Srotas, respectively. They consist of all the reproductive tissue, breasts, hormones and all secretions together with breast milk. Holding these channels distinct of ama and all toxic compounds is essential. The Mano Vaha Srotas, channels of the mind, are also concerned. Suitable diet regime, lifestyle, exercise, psychological health and fitness and choose Ayurvedic herbs all aid even so a normal thorough detoxing process is also suggested. It forms the foundation of preventive health and fitness in the Ayurvedic look at and is usually an important aspect of the procedure protocol for health conditions which have previously transpired.
Susceptible Breasts on a Chemical Earth
In addition to the assault from endogenous toxins (ama), exogenous toxins also have a grave effect on breast overall health. As a consequence of a long time of uncontrolled environmental air pollution with persistent natural pollutants (POP’s), the contamination of human milk has develop into prevalent. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), DDT and its metabolites, dioxins, dibenzofurans, phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and heavy metals are amongst the poisonous chemical compounds most normally found in breast milk. Irrespective of whether she is expecting or not, these and lots of other chemical pose a great danger to the female breast. This is simply because POP’s are unwanted fat-soluble “lipophilic” (i.e. affinity for extra fat) chemicals which undergo bio-accumulation and concentration around time in the breast fatty tissue. The constructive news is that POP’s can be significantly taken off from their websites of accumulation by means of common periods of panchakarma detoxification therapies.
Ayurveda states in the Ashtanga Hridayam Sutrasthanam IV/25-26:
“Exhaustive effort and hard work should be produced to radically expel the malas (doshas and metabolic wastes) at the suitable periods. Uncorrected accumulation will verily consequence in aggravation and cut limited existence itself.” “Doshas which are subdued by langhana and pachana therapies can inevitably come to be re-aggravated, but individuals which are radically expelled by samshodhana (purification) therapies will not turn into deranged once again.” (italics extra)
Life style and Physical exercise: Balancing the Doshas
Scientific evidence indicates about 30% of all 572,000 cancer fatalities (39,500 thanks to breast cancer) expected in 2011 will be similar to currently being overweight or obese, insufficient actual physical inactivity or glitches in nourishment and thus are preventable.
It is clear that only about 30-40% of all breast most cancers circumstances can be traced to identifiable genes or a familial inclination. Of those, 5 to 10 p.c of girls have inherited faulty breast cancer genes, the most popular getting BRCA1 or BRCA2. The remainder have kinds of breast cancers in their people that involve various genes.
That leaves 60-70% caused by mysterious variables. Some are environmental–harmful toxins we breathe, drink, touch or are uncovered to in some way. The most significant hazard components are only getting a lady (<1 percent breast cancers occur in men) and getting older (risk increases after age 50). We can't change that, but we can change our lifestyles. The best recommendations are these six:
-Avoid hormone replacement therapy -Improve your diet -Exercise regularly -Follow good detection strategies -Maintain good body weight -Consume less or no alcohol
Mental Health
The state of one’s mental health is a direct reflection of how we think, feel and act as we face different life experiences. Our mental health determines how we handle emotional stress, relate to others and make choices. It is the emotional and spiritual resilience (atati shakti) which enables us to achieve happiness and to survive pain, sorrow and disappointment. Normal mental health instinctively creates an underlying belief in one’s self-worth, and in the dignity and worth of other human beings and all life forms. Psycho-social-spiritual stress can play a role in breast health. To refresh the mind Ayurveda suggests the classical mental balancing and rejuvenation techniques described in Patanjali’s system of Raja Yoga. Because there are eight aspects in the Raja Yoga path to enlightenment, it is also known as Ashtanga Yoga (eight-limbed). Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras begins with the statement yoga cittavritti nirodhah (I/2), “Yoga is for the restraint of the activities of the mind”. They proceed to describe the ways in which mind can create false ideas and understandings, and details the eight steps that can taken to escape from the unreal.
Meditation techniques have been shown in numerous research studies to positively influence the physiology. The regular practice of yoga postures (asanas), breath control techniques (pranayama), and dhyana (meditation) is the most effective way to relieve anxiety, depression and emotional stress, according to Ayurvedic tradition. Although the mechanism by which meditation helps re-establish mental health is not clear, we do know that these techniques provide periods of profound sensory and cognitive rest. The regular dissociation of the senses from their sense objects and the withdrawal of the attention within appears to release deep-rooted stresses that have lodged in the structure, chemistry and energetic matrix of the mind-body.
Herbal Medicines
Ayurvedic herbal medicine regimens are not conceived using the model of a specific drug to neutralize or suppress a specific symptom or disease (allopathic model). In fact, successful treatment depends on rational and logical actions of a mixture of plant substances coupled with the incomprehensible healing intelligence of Nature. The intention of herbal treatment, like all forms of Ayurvedic therapies, is to up-regulate the innate healing capacity of the human being. Herbal treatment may be categorized according to the following scheme which forms a sequence for the prevention of any disease including breast cancer and also for the treatment of many diseases.
1. Separation of Dosha and Dushya (Sammurcchana Bhanga)
2. Autodigestion of Ama (Ama pacana)
3. Clearing of the Srotasmi (Shroto Vishodhana)
4. Optimization of Agni (Dipanagni)
5. Strengthening of Immunity (Vyadhi Kshamatva)
Separation of Dosha and Dushya (Sammurcchana Bhanga)
The initial action which must be taken in the treatment of disease is the separation of the vitiated dosha from the dushya. Since many on the subsequent steps in treating disease are strong measures aimed at the doshas, if separation of the healthy tissue is not achieved first, these treatments can and will harm the tissues and the associated srotas and vital organs. The degraded dosha and the affected tissue or organ becomes joined together like the milk fats and ghee are joined together in milk. And just as we heat the milk in order to separate the ghee from the milk fats, the herbal substances which accomplish the separation of dosha from dushya (a process called sammurchana bhanga) have the following gunas: hot (ushna), sharp (tikshna), penetrating (sukshma), rapid onset (vyavam), purifying (punanam), destructive (nashita), and separating (viyujate).
The following herbal and herbomineral medicines have the action of separating dosha and dushya. This list is by no means complete. Please note that many of these medicines can be toxic and cause
adverse reactions. They should therefore only be given for short courses and only under expert supervision.
Terminalia arjuna
Trailokya Rasa Chintamani
Datura metal Boswellia serrata
Aconitum ferox Tamra Bhasma
Strychnos nux vomica Heerak Bhasma
Semicarpus anacardium Holarrhena antidysenterica
Abhrak Bhasma Embelia ribes
Autodigestion of Ama (Ama pacana)
The operative principle behind the reversal and removal of ama is to temporarily stop providing nutrition to those parts of the body which we wish to purge of ama. In clinical application, this is achieved most readily, not with herbal medicines, but rather through fasting. Fasting is advocated as a bona fide approach for the removal of ama when found to be present or to prevent its formation. Like any other therapy, it is prescribed and supervised by an experienced physician.
During the fasting period, no new nutritive substances are available to the digestive system. Therefore the jathara agni and various dhatvagnis are utilized for the digestion of the accumulated ama. The fasting period can be as short as one or two days, or may extend for up to two weeks under medical supervision. There are several herbs and formulations which have been found to be effective in supporting and augmenting ama pacana:
Zingiber officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Tinospora cordifolia, Terminalia bellerica, Berberis aristata, Coriandrum sativum, Piper longum, Alpinia galangal.
Clearing of the Srotasmi (Shroto Vishodhana)
Whereas ama pacana is effective in transforming and liquefying the waste materials in the tissues,
the process known as shroto vishodhana draws these substances out of the tissues and into the appropriate channels of elimination (i.e. Stanya Vaha Srota). In addition, this process initiates movement in the proper direction in the srotasmi for the expulsion of the wastes. This stage requires that no matter what the primary doshic imbalance may be (Vata, Pitta, or Kapha), the Vata dosha needs to be in a balanced state. Thus is because Vata dosha is what creates movement of the wastes. A balanced Vata dosha moves the wastes in the proper and natural direction.
Medicines which act on the rasa, rakta, mamsa, meda, and sukra dhatus and their corresponding srotas are used in promoting breast health. These medicines will promote the elimination of doshas from the tissues without harming the tissues and include:
Holharrhina antidysentrica, Cissampelos pareira, Tricosanthe dioica, Cyperus rotundus, Picrorrhiza kurroa, Azadirachta indica, Hemidesmus indicus, Triphala, Piper nigrum, Acorus calamus, Curcuma longa, Aegle marmelos.
In addition to these herbal medicines, anuvasana bastis (oil-based enemata) or often administered during this phase to promote the proper flow of Vata dosha in the srotas. Also there are specialized techniques of breast massage which are performed with specific oils (i.e. Narayana, Vishagarbha, Chandanbala Laxadi) and can be taught to patient to perform at home.
Optimization of Agni (Dipanagni)
There is not a single biological process occurring within our bodies and mind which does not depend on agni. Our intelligence, awareness, energy, appearance, perception, immunity, and life itself is kindled by its power. There are thirteen forms of agni as we have outlined earlier. The most important is jathara agni–which presides over and creates all the others. Any disturbance in jathara agni will result in incomplete and improper digestion and the formation of ama. Some of the herbal medicines which help to stimulate and balance the jatharagni and, indirectly, all the agnis of the body are as follows:
Gingiber officinalis
Piper longum
Piper nigrum
Cayenne pepper
Plumbago zeylanica
Strengthening of Immunity (Vyadhi Kshamatva)
The capacity to resist disease depends prominently on a substance known as ojas. Ojas is formed from the best and purest parts of each of the seven bodily dhatus it is said to be the quintessence of human tissue metabolism. Like bees make honey by gathering the essence of several species of flowers, ojas is formed from the saptadhatus. There are certain plant-medicines which increase ojas and are therefore called jīvanīya gana aushadhi, medicines which sustain Life. Some of these include:
Withania somnifera, Curculigo orchiodes, Asparagus racemosus Phaseolus trilobus Hemidesmus indicus Ocimum sanctum Tinospora cordifolia Eclipta alba Emblica officinalis Shilajitu
Glycerrhiza glabra Terminalia chebula
In addition, medicines like Triphala Guggulu, Kanchnaar Guggulu, Arogyavardhini, Maha-manjishthadi kwath, Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) as well as the two most renowned Ayurvedic compound preparations Triphala and Chywanprash are used on a long term basis to prevent recurrence.
Medicines like Medhohar-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati, and Trivang-Bhasma are also used according to the presentation of symptoms.
To prevent or reduce side effects from chemotherapy and radiation therapy, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Kamadudha, Shankhbhasma vati, Laghu sutshekhar vati and Shunthi (Zinziber officinale) can be used.
Patwardhan and Gautum5 summarize the results of preclinical studies on the cytoprotective potential of W. somnifera and its constituents. They include reports on the inhibition of breast and colon cancer cell lines compared to doxorubicin after the administration of withaferin A and an increase in the response to radio-resistant tumors when radiotherapy is combined with withaferin A treatment, among others studies.
Triphala is an Ayurvedic herbal rasayana formula consisting of equal parts of three myrobalan fruits: Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Rasayana preparations are adaptogens and can be taken for life without fear of side effects. Triphala was recently found to dose-dependently induce apoptosis in human breast cell cancer lines (MCF-7) and mouse thymic lymphoma (barcl-95). Treatment did not affect neither normal human breast epithelial and peripheral blood mononuclear cells nor mouse liver and spleen cells. Direct oral feeding of triphala to mice (40 mg/kg for 13 days) resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) reduced tumor growth and more than three times higher levels of apoptosis in excised tumor tissue. According to the researchers, increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species appeared to be involved with induced cytotoxicity, supporting the hypothesis that the antioxidant effect of triphala fruits is at least partly responsible for this anticancer activity (Sandhya et al.)6.
Chywanprash
Oxygen radicals are continuously generated within our cells. This is a result of normal breathing which creates something called hydroxyl radicals. These molecules damage your DNA, producing the mutations that initiate and sustain health issues later on. Studies suggest that a diet that is rich in antioxidants may help to support breast health. This has led to the current nutritional recommendation that we all should consume at least five portions of fruits or vegetables each day.
Chyawanprash is significantly more powerful than other single antioxidant it is up to 1,000 times more effective per dose than comparable amounts of Vitamin C and Vitamin E in scavenging free radicals and preventing damage to the body. It provides full-spectrum, super-antioxidant power. Traditional literature states that Chywanprash improves cardiovascular and neurological functioning, reduces toxicity of the dhatus, improves immunity, balances emotions, and improves mental clarity.
Conclusion
All matter is energy vibrating at different rates. The fundamental state of the universe contains all possible forms of undifferentiated matter (i.e. energy) vibrating in coherent harmony. Human beings, because we are a part of the natural universe, also have a fundamental vibration that harmonizes with the rest of the creation. Illness, including cancer, is a manifestation of disharmony which arises in the individual’s core vibration due to stress, environmental changes, emotional distress, physical injury, dietary indiscretion, or an infinite number of physical, mental, or spiritual factors. Healing is therefore initiated by restoring the normal vibratory state to the individual as a whole and to the vulnerable or diseased body part. The Ayurvedic therapies mentioned in this paper are not the only methods available from this comprehensive science, but will help us begin to understand how our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters can keep their bodies free from toxins and impurities and their immunity high even in modern times and thus avert the scourge of breast cancer.