by Juslin Kaur
New Delhi, Oct 28: Worldwide, October is commemorated as breast cancer awareness month aimed at promoting effective management and treatment of the disease. During this time when the survivors case studies are highlighted, Ayurvedic experts emphasized on preventing the disease before it strikes hard. The solution lies in the cabinet of our kitchen, in the form of garlic, which is considered as world’s healthiest herb to treat several ailments including the horrifying breast cancer.
The disease which is still considered a taboo even in urban India has the prevalence rate at 25 to 31% among Indian women. WHO reports suggest, more than 70,000 women died in India due to breast cancer in 2012, which is more than any other country in the world. The disease can affect women in every age group however more commonly it concerns women in the age bracket of 30’s and 40’s and the number of cases are growing with each passing day. Nowadays, Breast cancer is the most common disease in urban Indian and it is second most common problem among the rural women.
Experts at Patanjali Yogpeeth, World’s largest Yoga and Ayurvedic center, urges women to prevent the disease before it spreads its wings further. It is recommended to adhere to specific ayurvedic therapies and herbs to control the disease symptoms or to prevent it.
Ayurvedic physician and botanist, Acharya Balkrishna said, “One in eight women suffer from breast cancer worldwide and numbers are growing at a fast pace due to changing lifestyle and preferences. A well balanced diet, proper daily routine and adoption of ayurvedic therapies help in managing the disease effectively. Meditation, smoke therapy, naturopathy, panchkarma (detoxification procedures) are few helpful therapies to control the disease. Holistic treatment using medicinal herbs, Yoga and medicines are recommended to every patient undergoing healing from ayurvedic solution.”
“Since the medieval times, garlic is used as a very helpful herb to cure several diseases due to its medicinal properties. Inclusion of supportive herbs and spices in one’s diet nourishes the body and flushes out the cancerous cells and detoxify the body. Adopting a healthy and disciplined lifestyle, intake of green tea, products containing vitamin D and other herbs like fenugreek seeds, broccoli, tulsi, soya are also proved to be helpful in improving the immunity of the body”, he further added.
Dr. Ketan Mahajan, Sr Physician, Patanjali Yogpeeth said, “It is heart wrenching for a woman to realise the fact that, this disease is hereditary too. Besides being physical impairment of the patient, it is an extremely emotional trauma too that a patient usually undergoes. Therefore, we at Patanjali urge every woman to embrace treatment such as yoga and meditation for the overall wellbeing of mind, body and soul. Coupled with physical exercises, playing leisure games and doing breathing exercises, it is advisable for a person who is more prone to contract the disease that she must give up the ingestion of toxic substances like coffee, alcohol and fast food. Herbs like brahmi, geloe, honey, allovera, multhi and others helps in regeneration of damaged cells. It is important to recognize the early signs and get one’s mammography test done on the slightest of symptom like pain in the breast, lump, a rash or any discharge from the nipple.”
It is believed that Ayurvedic therapy is better than conventional treatment because it cures the disease from the root and heals without causing side effects. This disease is equally prevalent in developed countries as it is in developing countries. Therefore, a disciplined lifestyle along with herbal treatment is the key to prevent the disease. In fact, Ayurveda in itself is an art of experiencing a disciplined lifestyle.