Ayurveda and Cancer

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is India's traditional system of medicine. It looks at health as a balance between the body, mind, behaviour, food and environment.

Ayurveda includes approaches such as diet and lifestyle advice, yoga and breathing practices, meditation, physical therapies and medicines made from herbs and other substances.

For a person living with cancer, however, Ayurveda needs to be used thoughtfully and safely.

Can Ayurveda treat cancer?

Cancer is a group of diseases that require appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment.

Depending on the type and stage of cancer, treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy or combinations of these.

Ayurveda should not be used as a replacement for proven cancer treatment.

There is currently not enough reliable evidence to say that Ayurvedic medicines can cure cancer or replace established cancer treatments.

Then where can Ayurveda help?

Ayurveda may have a role as supportive care.

The aim of supportive care is not necessarily to destroy the cancer. It is to help the person cope with the physical and emotional challenges associated with cancer and its treatment.

This may include attention to:

Nutrition and healthy eating

Daily routine and sleep

Gentle physical activity

Stress management

Relaxation and breathing practices

Emotional wellbeing

General recovery and quality of life

Selected symptoms, when appropriate and under professional supervision

What does "integrative care" mean?

Integrative care means bringing together conventional cancer treatment with complementary approaches that are considered appropriate and safe.

The goal is to look after the whole person, while keeping effective cancer treatment at the centre of care.

Where might Ayurveda fit?

Think of cancer care as a team.

Your oncologist and cancer-care team focus on diagnosing and treating the cancer.

A qualified Ayurveda physician may help with appropriate supportive measures.

Other professionals may contribute to nutrition, physical rehabilitation, psychological wellbeing, pain management and social support.

Good integrative care means that these professionals communicate with each other.

What should I avoid?

Be cautious of anyone who promises:

"Complete cure" without conventional treatment

"100% guaranteed" cancer cure

A secret herbal formula

That chemotherapy or radiotherapy is unnecessary

That all cancer patients should follow the same diet

That a particular herb can definitely destroy cancer cells in humans

Laboratory findings about herbs or substances do not automatically mean that they can treat cancer safely or effectively in people.

An important safety message

"Natural" does not always mean "safe."

Some herbs, supplements and concentrated herbal preparations can interact with cancer medicines or affect how medicines are absorbed, processed or eliminated by the body. 

Therefore, tell your oncologist about every Ayurvedic medicine, herbal preparation, vitamin or supplement you are taking.

Remember

Ayurveda does not have to compete with modern cancer care.

Used responsibly, the focus can be on supporting the person—not replacing the treatment that is needed to treat the cancer.

This information is for education and supportive care. It is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by your cancer-care team.

Reliable sources: National Cancer Institute (NCI), World Health Organization (WHO), relevant national cancer-care guidelines, and appropriate peer-reviewed evidence.