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Ayurvedic medicine
Ayurvedic medicine
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of
medicine that uses a wide range of treatments and techniques.
Related content
How it works
Why people with cancer
use ayurvedic medicine
What having Ayurvedic
medicine involves
Possible side effects
of Ayurvedic medicine
The safety of Ayurvedic
medicines
Research into
Ayurvedic treatment
Finding an Ayurvedic
practitioner
The cost of Ayurvedic
medicine
Useful organisations
More information about
Ayurvedic medicine
Why people with cancer
use herbal medicine
What using herbal
medicine involves
Possible side effects
Research into herbal
medicine and cancer
Using herbal medicines
safely
Before you have herbal
medicines
Who shouldn’t use
herbal medicine
The cost of herbal
medicine
Finding a herbal
therapist
Herbal medicine
organisations
Related content
Related content
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of
medicine that uses a wide range of treatments and techniques.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of
medicine which began about 5,000 years ago. It is not just one treatment. It is
a way of diagnosing illness and using a wide range of treatments and
techniques.
Ayurveda is an Indian word. Ayur means life
and veda means knowledge.
Ayurvedic medicine can include:
·
advice on diet and
special diets
·
taking specific
Ayurvedic medications
·
herbal medicine
·
massage
·
meditation
·
yoga, breathing and
relaxation techniques
·
bowel cleansing
An Ayurvedic practitioner might suggest any or
all of these treatments. It will depend on your particular health problems.
There is no scientific evidence to prove that
Ayurvedic medicine can treat or cure cancer or any other disease.
How it works
The main belief behind Ayurvedic medicine is
that health problems happen when your mind, body and spirit are out of balance.
Ayurvedic practitioners believe we are made up
of 3 elements known as doshas.
These are:
·
air and space (vata
dosha) which allows movement
·
fire and water (pitta
dosha) which allows for change and handles digestion and metabolism
·
water and earth (kapha
dosha) which gives structure or cohesion
These 3 doshas let the body's organs work
together in harmony. They also create your relationship with the environment
and universe.
Ayurvedic practitioners believe that our
health depends on the correct balance of all 3.
Practitioners claim that different
combinations of Ayurvedic medicine bring balance and harmony into the body to
help:
·
increase energy and
wellbeing
·
balance mind, body and
spirit
·
decrease stress
·
prevent and cure
disease
Why people with cancer
use ayurvedic medicine
People with cancer often use touch therapies
such as massage and aromatherapy. Many people say these therapies help them to
cope better with cancer and its treatment.
Research is looking into whether some
herbs or plant treatments used in Ayurvedic medicine could help to prevent or
treat cancer.
But, we still don't know much about some of
the treatments that are part of Ayurvedic medicine, such as special diets and
herbal remedies.
These treatments could be harmful to your
health or interfere with conventional treatment such as cancer drugs and
radiotherapy.
What having Ayurvedic
medicine involves
Your practitioner will aim to restore or
maintain your health and well being by balancing many factors in your life.
To plan your treatment, they will take your
medical history and assess your doshas.
They will examine your tongue, lips and nails,
and look inside your eyes, ears, nostrils and mouth. They might also examine
your back passage (rectum) and genital area. They will listen to your lungs and
heart, and take your pulse.
They will ask about your emotions and
relationships with other people. They will even consider the time of day and
what season it is.
Then they'll discuss which treatments they
think will help you most.
Some practitioners might recommend
getting rid of toxins. They might cleanse the bowel (intestines) by putting
liquid into your back passage (enemas). Or, they might suggest taking medicines
to make the bowel work more quickly (laxatives).
Other ways of cleansing and detoxifying
include forced vomiting and drawing blood from the body. These methods can be
harmful. Most therapists don’t use them.
Some Ayurvedic methods such as yoga, massage
and relaxation are generally helpful for people with cancer. But others such as
some herbal treatments, diets and bowel cleansing can be harmful.
Always check with your doctor first as some
treatments can have serious side effects. Ask your doctor for advice if an
Ayurvedic practitioner diagnoses you with a new medical condition.
Your relationship with your practitioner is
very important. They are responsible for creating a safe space for you to work
together to decide on your treatment.
Tell your practitioner if you don’t feel
comfortable with anything that they are doing.
Possible side effects
of Ayurvedic medicine
You might have some side effects depending on
which treatments you have. Herbal treatments, diets and bowel cleansing can
have harmful side effects.
The safety of Ayurvedic
medicines
Yoga, relaxation techniques and massage are
generally safe. But, other remedies that you ingest need more attention.
Most Ayurvedic medicines are made from
different herbs. There has been no research to test many of them.
Some herbal medicines might interact with
treatment you are already having, such as cancer drugs or radiotherapy. Or,
some might contain harmful substances.
In 2004, a US study found that 14 out of 70
Ayurvedic medicines bought over the counter had harmful heavy metals such as
mercury, lead and arsenic in them. All the remedies had been made in South
Asia.
How unlicensed traditional Chinese or
Ayurvedic medicines are made can vary. Some contain illegal substances and
toxic herbs which may not be listed on the packaging. The amount of active
ingredient can also vary widely between products.
Companies that make herbal products to be
bought over the counter in health food shops and pharmacies have to meet
quality standards. They need to provide information about their product, including
exactly what it contains, the dose and how safe it is.
Only use herbal products that are registered
under the Traditional Herbal Remedies (THR) scheme. Registered remedies have a
THR mark and symbol on the packaging. THR products have been tested for quality
and safety.
To be safe, only buy plant remedies from a
trained and qualified herbal practitioner who can trace where their herbs and
plants come from.
Always check with your doctor first before
having any type of herb or medicine.
Research into
Ayurvedic treatment
Some research has found some types of
Ayurvedic treatment can help relieve cancer symptoms and improve quality of
life.
For example, massage can lower stress and help
you to relax. Meditation can reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, and boost
general wellbeing.
Studies have shown that yoga helps lymphoma
patients sleep better, and reduces stress in people with breast or prostate
cancer.
Ayurvedic medicine uses more than 200 herbs
and plants. Researchers have looked at some compounds used in Ayurvedic
medicine in the laboratory and tested them on animals.
Some of this early laboratory research
suggests that it might help slow the growth of cancer in animals. But, there is
no evidence that Ayurvedic medicine can prevent, treat or cure cancer in
humans.
We won't know until we carry out large
randomised clinical trials.
Finding an Ayurvedic
practitioner
There is no single professional organisation
that regulates Ayurvedic medicine in the UK. Therapists and practitioners can
join several associations but there is no law to say that they have to.
You must choose a trained and qualified
therapist or practitioner if you are considering having Ayurvedic medicine.
Contact the Ayurvedic Practitioners Association (APA) first.
According to the APA, Ayurvedic practitioners
are qualified to diagnose diseases and conditions from an Ayurvedic
perspective. They can prescribe and give Ayurvedic remedies and treatments, as
well as nutrition and lifestyle advice.
Ayurvedic therapists are not trained as
practitioners and do not have to finish any specific training. They can give
Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle advice and hands-on treatment such as
massage. But they can’t diagnose conditions or prescribe Ayurvedic remedies.
There are several places that people can train
to become Ayurveda therapists and there are different levels of training. Many
therapists go to India to study as there are more than 180 Ayurveda training
schools there. Some of the training in India can take up to 5 years to
complete.
Some therapists train in a specific treatment
that is part of the Ayurvedic medicine system such as massage or meditation,
but not in others such as herbal treatments.
The cost of Ayurvedic
medicine
The cost will depend on the treatments that
you have.
The first consultation can cost anything
between £25 and £65. Follow up appointments usually cost less.
Some Ayurvedic clinics encourage overnight or
longer stays for intensive detoxification treatments. These can be very
expensive.
Make sure you get full information about
treatment costs before agreeing to have it. Check with your cancer doctor first
to make sure the treatments are safe for you.
Useful organisations
These organisations can give you useful
information about Ayurvedic medicine in the UK.
More information about
Ayurvedic medicine
For further information about Ayurvedic
medicines go to the websites of these organisations.
Last reviewed:
04 Feb 2015
Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine uses plants, or mixtures of
plant extracts, to treat illness and promote health.
The two most common types used in the UK are
Western and Chinese herbal medicine.
Herbal medicine aims to restore your
body's ability to protect, regulate and heal itself. It is a whole body
approach that looks at your physical, mental and emotional well being. It is
sometimes called phytomedicine, phytotherapy or botanical medicine.
Many modern drugs are made from plants. But
herbalists don’t extract plant substances in the way the drug industry does.
Herbalists believe that the remedy works due to the delicate chemical balance
of the whole plant, or mixtures of plants, not one particular active
ingredient.
The two most common types of herbal medicine
used in the UK are Western and Chinese herbal medicine. Less common types
include Tibetan or Ayurvedic medicine (Indian).
Western herbal medicine
Western herbal medicine focuses on the whole
person rather than their illness. So the herbalist looks at your personal
health history, family history, diet and lifestyle.
Western herbal therapies are usually made from
herbs that grow in Europe and North America but also use herbs from China and
India.
Herbalists use remedies made from whole plants
or plant parts to help your body heal itself or reduce the side effects of
medical treatments.
Chinese herbal medicine
Chinese herbal medicine is part of a whole
system of medicine called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
TCM aims to restore the balance of your Qi
(pronounced chee). TCM practitioners believe that Qi is the flow of energy in
your body, and is essential for good health.
Chinese herbalists use plants according to how
they affect a particular part of the body or energy channel.
TCM includes:
·
acupuncture
·
massage therapy
·
herbal remedies
·
traditional breathing
and movement exercises called qi gong (pronounced chee goong)
·
movement exercises
called tai chi (pronounced tie chee)
TCM uses hundreds of medicinal substances.
Most of these are plants but there are also some minerals and animal products.
Practitioners may use different parts of
plants such as the leaves, roots, stems, flowers or seeds. Usually, herbs are
combined and you take them as teas, capsules, tinctures, or powders.
Why people with cancer
use herbal medicine
Herbal medicine is one of the most commonly
used complementary and alternative therapies by people with cancer. Some
studies have shown that as many as 6 out of every 10 people with cancer (60%)
use herbal remedies alongside conventional cancer treatments.
People have used herbal medicine for centuries
to treat many different health conditions. It is often promoted as a natural
way to help you relax and cope with anxiety and depression. Or, to help with
other conditions such as hay fever, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual
(period) problems and eczema.
As with most types of complementary or
alternative therapy, some people might use it to help themselves feel better or
more in control of their situation.
A 2014 study in the UK surveyed people with
cancer who use herbal medicines. It found that most of the people used herbal
medicines to feel more in control and to have some responsibility for their
treatment. They also felt the therapies wouldn't cause side effects.
What using herbal
medicine involves
During your first visit, the herbalist will
ask you general questions about your health, lifestyle, diet and medical history.
They will also do a physical examination,
which may include:
·
feeling your pulse
·
taking your blood
pressure
·
examining your skin
and nails
·
feeling your abdomen
·
looking at your tongue
·
looking at your eyes
The herbalist will then decide which remedies
you need. They will usually make it while you wait.
The remedy might be:
·
a diluted alcohol
solution of plant parts (tincture)
·
tablets or capsules
·
raw herbs that you
boil in water to drink as a tea
·
a cream or ointment
Your herbalist is likely to recommend that you
go back for another appointment about 2 to 4 weeks later. How long you continue
seeing them will depend on why you are using herbal medicine.
Possible side effects
Each type of herbal remedy might have its own
side effects. Some are safe to use and do not have any noticeable side effects.
But some plants are poisonous to humans and can have serious and severe side
effects.
Always tell your doctor if you are using any
type of herbal remedy. It might be helpful to ask your herbalist for a list of
all the ingredients in your herbal remedy. Then if you do have any side
effects, your doctor will know what you have taken.
You, your doctor or herbalist can report side
effects to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Authority (MHRA). The MHRA
is the UK regulatory body that collects information about the side effects of
drugs, including herbal medicines.
Let both your herbalist and doctor know
if you feel worse or ill while you are taking herbal medicine.
Research into herbal
medicine and cancer
There is no strong evidence from human studies
that herbal remedies can treat, prevent or cure any type of cancer.
Some clinical trials seem to show that some
Chinese herbs may help people to live longer, reduce side effects, and help to
prevent cancer coming back, especially when combined with conventional
treatment.
But many of the studies are published in
Chinese, and some of them don't list the specific herbs used. Some journal
articles don't describe in enough detail how the studies were done.
It is difficult to know how reliable the
research is and which herbs may be helpful. But there are trials looking into
this.
Using herbal medicines
safely
Many people assume that just because a product
is marketed as natural or herbal, it means that it is safe to use.
But while some herbal medicines are safe,
others can have serious and dangerous side effects. And, they might interact
with other cancer treatments you are having. We need to do more research into
this.
A review published by the American Journal of
Clinical Oncology found that common herbal remedies such as garlic, ginkgo,
echinacea, ginseng, kava and St John’s wort, can interact with cancer
treatments.
Some herbals treatments might affect the way
drugs are broken down or carried around in your body. For example, the US
National Cancer Institute (NCI) suggests that St John’s wort can speed up how
quickly your body gets rid of the anti cancer treatment, imatinib (Glivec).
This means it could make the imatinib less effective at fighting your cancer.
Some herbal medicines might increase the
effect of cancer drugs, meaning that you could be over treated.
Other herbal medicines such as Asian
ginseng and bilberry can interfere with some drugs and increase the risk of
bleeding after surgery.
Some herbal remedies make your skin more
sensitive to light, so we don’t recommend that you take them while having
radiotherapy.
Before you have herbal
medicines
Companies making herbal products bought over
the counter in health food shops and pharmacies have to meet quality standards.
They also need to provide information about their product, including the exact
content and dose of the product and how safe it is.
In Europe it is important to buy only products
that are registered under the Traditional Herbal Remedies (THR) scheme.
Remedies that are registered under the scheme have a THR mark and symbol on the
packaging. THR products have been tested for quality and safety.
The Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) regulates the registration of herbal products in the
UK. They say that how unlicensed traditional Chinese medicines are made can
vary widely.
Some have been found to contain illegal
substances and toxic herbs which might not be listed on the packaging of the
product. The amount of the active ingredient can also vary widely between
products.
It is safest to buy herbal remedies from a
fully qualified herbal practitioner who is trained to work out which medicines
are appropriate for you. They can also trace where their herbs and plants come
from.
Who shouldn’t use
herbal medicine
This depends on which herbal medicine you want
to have.
It is important to check with your doctor
first before taking any herbal remedies if you:
·
have any medical
condition, including cancer
·
are having
radiotherapy
·
are pregnant or
breastfeeding
·
are due to have
surgery in the next few weeks
·
are having other
cancer treatment (conventional, complementary or alternative)
The cost of herbal
medicine
Your first consultation with a herbalist will
usually cost between £40 and £80 for an hour. Further appointments are usually
shorter so are likely to cost less, perhaps around £30. You will also have to
pay for the herbs you are prescribed. These costs vary from place to place
within the UK.
Finding a herbal
therapist
In the UK, TCM and other herbal practitioners
are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council. Contact them for a
list of registered practitioners in your area. Most practitioners will also be
registered with one of the herbal medicine organisations listed below.
Questions you might ask
·
How many years of
training have you had?
·
How long have you been
practising?
·
Have you had training
for treating and supporting people with cancer?
·
Do you have indemnity
insurance? (in case of negligence)
Herbal medicine
organisations
You can get further information about herbal
medicines from the following organisations.
Last reviewed:
02 Feb 2015
Related content
Related links
Information
and help
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education
since 2010.
Related content
Related links
Information
and help
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education
since 2010.
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