1.What is Panchakarma?
Panchakarma is one of the most effective detoxification and rejuvenative therapy mentioned in Ayurveda. Ayurveda is traditional system of Indian medicine and is practiced in India since ages. The term “Panchakarma” is derived from or translates to “five actions” or “five treatments”. Panchakarma helps in detoxification of doshas which can be causative factor of different types of diseases and so helps in amelioration of the diseases. Panchakarma helps to restore balance of the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). The five main procedures of Panchakarma are:
a) Vamana (Therapeutic Emesis): Vamana facilitate in elimination of dustha doshas from the stomach and the respiratory tract. Vamana consist of therapeutically induced vomiting and works mostly on dustha Kapha Dosha. Vamana Therapy helps in purification of kapha Dosha and helps is amelioration of disease related to it.
b) Virechana (Purgation Therapy): Virechana Therapy helps in detoxification or removal of dustha dosha from the ado amashaya region. Virechana Therapy helps to detoxify mostly pitta dosha from the body and ameliorate disease related to it. Virechana consist of induced loose stools and helps to eliminate toxins from the body.
c) Basti (Enema Therapy): Basti Therapy means administration of herbal oils or decoction through anal region. Basti Therapy helps to detoxify the body and balance the vata dosha. Basti Therapy is prominently used to pacify Vata Dosha and ameliorate diseases related to it.
d) Nasya (Nasal Administration): Nasya involves administration of herbal oils, powders, and juice of plants through the nostrils. Nasya is mostly administered for diseases above the clavicle or urdhavajatrugata region. As per Ayurveda, nose is doorstep to treat diseases of the urdhavajatrugata region.
e) Raktamokshana (Blood Letting): Raktamokshana involves removing small amount of blood and it help to treat blood related disorders. Raktamokshana helps to detoxify the body and proves beneficial in multiple ailments. Raktamokshana can be done through venipuncture and leech.
Panchakarma is usually customized and tailored as per individual constitution of doshas (Prakriti), General Health or Bala of that individual, and specific imbalance of doshas the patient is suffering from. Panchakarma should always be done under the guidance of Ayurveda Practitioners.
2) What is Breast Cancer?
Breast Cancer is a type of cancer that originate in the cells of the breast and is one of the most common type of cancer worldwide. Breast cancer is prominently prevalent among women but men are also affected in small percentage. Breast Cancer develops when breast cancer cells gradually accumulates mutations and resultant it lead to breast cancer or a tumor.
The risk of breast cancer increases as age progresses and can also be at heightened risk due to mutations in genes such as BRCA1 and BRAC2. Sedentary lifestyle, obesity, diet high in fats, and alcohol consumption can lead to increased risk of breast cancer.
a) Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS): Ductal Carcinoma In Situ is a non-invasive cancer where abnormal cells is found lining breast duct. Cancer cells has not spread beyond the duct.
b) Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (IDC): Invasive Ductal Carcinoma is the most common type of cancer. In this type of cancer originates in the ducts of the breast and spread to other parts of the body.
c) Invasive Lobular Carcinoma (ILC): Invasive Lobular Carcinoma type of cancer start in the lobules. Lobules are the gland that produces milks. This cancer can spread to other parts of the body.
d) Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC): Triple-Negative Breast Cancer is a type of breast cancer that does not have any of the three common receptors: 1) Estrogen Receptor (ER). 2) Progesterone Receptor (PR). 3) HER2/neu. This is more aggressive variant of breast cancer and hard to treat
e) HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: HER2-Positive Breast Cancer tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells.
3) Role of Panchakarma in Treatment of Breast Cancer
a) Vamana
It is well established fact that when breast cancer is detected at earlier stages then surgical resection is best known option for the patient. If the breast nodule is unresectable due to some unavoidable anatomical locations or if the patient is suffering from cardiac or renal ailments then Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy is required to be planned. Mrudu Vamana Therapy (Mild) can be planned before chemotherapy or radiotherapy for better results.
For general treatment of breast cancer Mrudu to Madhyam strength Vamana can be given taking rogi bala and prakriti into consideration. Stana or Breast is an organ with prominence of Kapha Dosha and Vamana proves extremely beneficial in Kaphaj Ailments so Vamana is treatment of choice in breast cancer.
b) Virechana
If Vamana cannot be planned in breast cancer patients due to certain cardiac or renal ailments then Mrudu Virechana can be planned taking general health of the patient in to consideration. In post-surgical cases, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is generally planned so after Vamana, Virechana can be planned for better results.
Virechana can also be planned in breast cancer cases who are post-surgical cases so as to prevent a relapse. Virechana helps in kostha shudhi and so further proves beneficial in proper absorption of rasayana dravyas.
c) Basti
In breast cancer patients who are debilitated by the disease and are suffering from cardiac ailments or multiple co-morbidities, Basti Therapy can be planned. For Koshtha Shuddhi of breast cancer patient with an increased risk Shodhaniya Basti is more viable option than Virechana.
For breast cancer patients who are suffering from extreme weight loss due to Raktha (Blood) and Mansa (Muscle) Kshaya (Loss), Yapana Basti can be planned. Yapana Basti is one the best treatment modality in cachexic breast cancer patients who needs to gain weight and to improve general health.
Matra Basti with Bala Oil can also be planned in breast cancer patients as it is easier to administer and does not require purva and paschata karma of basti to be followed. Ashwagandha Oil helps the cancer patient to gain weight and improve the raktha (Blood).
4) Lepa or Local Application
Different lepa or medications for local application is mentioned Ayurveda. Certain Lepa which are usna and thiksna in nature can help to resolve breast cancer. This lepa helps to resolve the inflammatory stage, the same in Ayurveda terms can be described as it helps to bring pakva awastha in apakva doshas.
Dashang Lepa (दशांग लेप) in Breast Cancer
Dashang Lepa is prepared by mixing powder of Tagara (Valeriana wallichi), Kushta (Saussurea lappa), Rakta chandana (Pterocarpus santalinus), Ela (Elettaria cardomum), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Jatamanshi (Nardostachys jatamansi), Sugandha bala (Coleus vettiveroides) and Shirisha (Albizzia lebbeck).
As we all know Dashang Lepa is easily available formulation and in Ayurveda is mentioned in Vranashopa Disease (Inflammatory condition due wound). It helps in Vranashopa due to stanik dosha pachana. Further it is well known fact that cancer is called wound that doesn’t heals, so Dashang Lepa can effectively works as a local application in Breast Cancer cases.
