Leiomyosarcoma - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

A leiomyosarcoma, also known as spindle cell sarcoma, is a cancerous tumor of the smooth muscle or fibrous tissue and can occur anywhere in the body. The term "spindle cell" is based upon the elongated spindle shaped appearance of the cells, along with cigar shaped nuclei. These types of tumors, depending upon the location, are also termed as fibrosarcoma or malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Most of these tumors are fast spreading and have an overall poor prognosis.

The Ayurvedic treatment of this condition is aimed at treating the tumor, boosting the immune status of the body, reducing symptoms and prolonging survival. Medicines like Arogya-Vardhini, Triphala-Guggulu, Kanchnaar-Guggulu, Mahamanjishthadi-Qadha, Medohar-Guggulu, Chandraprabha-Vati, Punarnavadi-Guggulu and Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu are used to treat the actual tumor. Medicines which act on the 'Rakta', 'Mansa' and 'Meda' dhatus (tissues) are useful in such tumors. These medicines include Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Triphala (Three fruits), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Kutaj (Holarrhina antidysentrica), Chirayta (Swertia chirata), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Chandan (Santalum album) and Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis).

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Herbal medicines like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Haridra (Curcuma longa), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) and Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) are useful in the treatment of leiomyosarcoma because of their inherent therapeutic action on solid tumors. Immunomodulatory medicines like Amalaki, Tulsi, Bhrungraj (Eclipta alba), Yashtimadhuk (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Trivang-Bhasma, Abhrak-Bhasma, Suvarna-Bhasma, Heerak-Bhasma and Suvarna-Bhasma can be used to boost the immune status of the body. These medicines help in stopping the growth of the tumor and are also useful in treating weight loss.

Medicines like Agnitundi-Ras, Shankh-Vati, Vat-Gajankush-Ras and Maha-Vat-Vidhvans-Ras can be used to treat symptoms of localized pain and discomfort. Medicines like Mahamanjishthadi-Qadha, Kachnaar-Guggulu and Triphala-Guggulu can be used to prevent the spread of the tumor to different parts of the body. In addition, different medicines are added in the treatment of leiomyosarcoma, depending upon the location of the tumor in the body. For example, Pathyadi-Qadha is believed to be effective in head and neck tumors and Varunadi-Qadha is believed to act on abdominal tumors; Kutki, Sharpunkha (Tephrosia purpurea) and Amalaki are believed to be more effective in the upper abdomen whereas Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa) and Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris) are believed to be more effective in the lower abdomen.

Ayurvedic medicines can thus be used to treat leiomyosarcoma effectively, improve the quality of life and prolong the overall survival of affected individuals. These medicines can be used in addition to standard modern treatment. All such patients should be under the regular supervision and care of an Oncology team.

Leiomyosarcoma - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Sarcoidosis - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Sarcoidosis is a disease that results from a specific form of tissue inflammation called granuloma which can appear in any part of the body, but most often starts in the lungs or lymph nodes. It is most common in young, black adults. A disturbed immune response of the body is believed to be the cause of this disease. Breathlessness, cough, skin rash, inflammation of the eyes, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats and fever are common symptoms of this condition.

Sarcoidosis is neither a cancer nor is contagious, and in most cases heals spontaneously in 2 to 3 years. However, it can affect and seriously damage vital organs like the lungs, heart, nervous system, liver or kidneys. The Ayurvedic treatment of this condition is aimed at reducing the damage to the tissues and preventing complications from the resulting fibrosis. Medicines used to reduce inflammation are: Triphala-Guggulu, Arogya-Vardhini, Punarnavadi-Guggulu, Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Yograj-Guggulu, Punarnavadi-Qadha, Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Deodar (Cedrus deodara), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris).

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Medicines used to prevent fibrosis (scarring) are Arogya-Vardhini, Gokshuradi-Guggulu, Kaishor-Guggulu, Rasayan-Vati, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Ras-Sindoor, Guduchyadi-Qadha and Saarivasav. It is also necessary to improve the immune status of the body in this condition, in order to resolve tissue inflammation at the earliest. Medicines used for this purpose are: Laghu-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant, Suvarna-Sutshekhar-Ras, Abhrak-Bhasma, Tapyadi-Loh, Trivang-Bhasma, Shatavari (Asperagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum).

Currently, there are no specific signs, symptoms or tests for sarcoidosis, and the diagnosis of this condition has to be made by ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms. Such patients should therefore, be initially examined by a Chest Physician or a Rheumatologist with the relevant clinical experience.

Sarcoidosis - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Rhabdomyosarcoma - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. It is believed to arise from primitive muscle cells. The tumor can occur anywhere in the body except bones; the most common sites being the head and neck, extremities and the genitourinary tract. The cause of this condition is unknown, though several genetic syndromes and environmental factors are known to increase the prevalence of this disease. RMS usually manifests as an expanding mass; symptoms depend on the location of the tumor including pain, breathlessness, anemia and disturbed organ function. Treatment of RMS involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

The Ayurvedic treatment of RMS is aimed at treating the tumor and preventing its spread to other parts of the body. Since this is a tumor occurring predominantly in children, herbal medicines are preferred for treatment purposes. Medicines which act on the muscle tissue and regulate the metabolism of muscles are used in this condition. These include Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Behada (Terminalia bellerica), Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis), Marich (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), Nimba (Azadirachta indica), Patol (Tricosanthe dioica), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Indrayav (Holarrhina antidysentrica) and Guggulu (Commiphora mukul). Medicines like Triphala-Guggulu, Medohar-Guggulu, Kanchnaar-Guggulu, Maha-Manjishthadi-Qadha, Guduchyadi-Qadha and Chandra-Prabha-Vati are used both to reduce the tumor size and to prevent its spread.

Alternative Cancer Treatments

Medicines like Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra), Pippali, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Laghu-Malini-Vasant and Madhu-Malini-Vasant are used to improve the immune status of the body and help reduce the tumor. Medicines like Abhrak-Bhasma, Tamra-Bhasma, Suvarna-Malini-Vasant and Heerak-Bhasma can also be used in very small doses. In addition, medicines can be given to reduce or prevent the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These medicines include Vishwa, Musta, Shankh-Bhasma, Laghu-Sutshekhar-Ras, Kutaj-Parpati, Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus) and Laxadi-Guggulu.

Ayurvedic medicines can thus be given as additional therapy to conventional treatment at any stage of the treatment, to help improve the response and improve overall survival. All such patients should be under the regular care and supervision of a Pediatric Oncology team.

Rhabdomyosarcoma - Ayurvedic Herbal Treatment

Alternative Cancer Treatments