How Panchakarma Detox Helps in Lung Cancer Management
Lung cancer is a type cancer which is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal and mutated cells in one or both lungs. These abnormal and mutated cells typically originate in the lining of airways like the bronchi, bronchioles, or alveoli. This cancer cells in the lung tissues start to grow uncontrollably forming a tumor or a mass.
Lung cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can even break away from the original or primary tumor and spread to distant organs through the bloodstream or lymphatic system forming a new tumor or secondary mass. This phenomenon is called metastatis and is life threatening.
Types of Lung Cancer:
1) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common type of cancer and accounts for almost 80 – 85% of all lung cancer cases diagnosed. It generally grows and spreads more slowly than SCLC. Subtypes of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) are.
- Adenocarcinoma.
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Large Cell Carcinoma.
2) Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC): This accounts for almost 10 – 15% of lung cancer cases diagnosed. It tends to grow more rapidly and aggressively, and spread at quite earlier stages. It is strongly associated with smoking.
What is Panchakarma or Detoxification Therapy?
“Panchakarma” literally means “five actions” (from Sanskrit Pancha = five, Karma = actions). These five procedures aim to remove dustha doshas or toxins (Ama) from the body, and further helps to create balance and harmony between the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
The 5 main therapies are:
- Vamana (Therapeutic Vomiting): Vamana Therapy helps to remove excess or dustha doshas from the respiratory and digestive system. It can prove beneficial in skin, respiratory, and digestive system disorders.
- Virechana (Purgation Therapy): Virechana Therapy helps to remove excess pitta or dustha pitta dosha from the body. It proves beneficial in liver ailments, skin diseases, and acidity.
- Basti (Medicated Enema): Basti therapy helps to balance vata dosha in the body. It helps to remove dustha dosha from the colon. It is also proven effective in arthritis and disorders of nervous system
- Nasya (Nasal Therapy): Nasal therapy consist of instillation or administration of medicated oil or powder through the nose. It also helps to clear dustha doshas or toxins from the head and neck region. It also helps with memory loss and sleep issues.
- Raktamokshana (Bloodletting): Raktamokshana (Bloodletting) helps to remove impure blood or pitta related toxins from the body. It can be done with leeches or controlled bloodletting through venepuncture.
Role of Panchakarma or Detox Therapy in Lung Cancer
1. Vamana in Lung Cancer Patients:
Vamana is one of the prominent treatment for lung cancer. If lung cancer is diagnosed or detected at earlier stages, then surgery or excision of the tumour mass is the most viable option. And if excision is not possible due to unavoidable anatomical locations or if the patient is suffering from many co-morbidities and surgery can be a significant life risk then Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy can be planned.
As per Ayurveda prior to radiotherapy or chemotherapy, Vamana Therapy can be given. Vamana Therapy can increase the sensitivity of lung cancer patient toward radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
2. Virechana:
Virechana Karma can also prove beneficial in lung cancer patients If Vamana Karma is not possible in lung cancer patient due to risk of bleeding then Virechana Karma can be advised to lung cancer for kostha sudhhi in lung cancer patients.
In a case of post-surgery and in remission, Rasayana Karma can help to prevent relapse. For lung cancer patients Vardhamana Pippali Rasayana or Chausath Pippali Rasayana is a better option to prevent relapse. So prior to Rasayana Therapy Kostha Shuddhi is important for Agnideepana and proper absorption of Rasayan Dravya’s.
3. Nasya:
Nasya can be successfully used in cases of Lung Cancer, and even Head and Neck Cancer too. Nasya is procedure of instilling ayurvedic medicated oils or juices extracted from the plants in to nostrils. Nasya is prominently used urdhava jatrugata vikara or region of the body above clavicle, and it involves lungs too. For lung cancer nasya of Kshar Tel or Rasanjan Oil can be successfully used.
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Your health is my priority, and together, we can work towards a brighter, healthier future.
— Dr. Ravi Gupta, M.D. (Ayurveda),
Ayurveda Cancer Consultant,
Specialist in Ayurveda and Panchakarma.
