Blood Cancer – Types, Symptoms, Causes and Natural Treatment
Overview
According to Ayurveda, there are three types of energies found in our body – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. When these energies remain in balance we remain normal and disease-free but when the imbalance occurs between any of these, the disease occurs and Cancer is also one of them. When the aggravated doshas get accumulated in a particular localized area of the body, they give rise to cancer. Cancer occurs due to excess aberration in Mamsa pradooshna (muscular tissues). These prominent cancerous growths are known as Arbuda and when these growths occur in blood this condition is known as Raktarbuda in which the vitiated doshas occupy the blood (Rakt) and vessels (Sira). These growths compress and contract the localized area and result in cancerous growth which often bleeds.
Blood is the fluid connective tissue that plays a major role in maintaining and management of body temperature, pH, and other thermoregulation processes, along with involved in the transportation of nutrients, hormones, and respiratory gases, etc. Human blood is composed of different types of cells – erythrocytes, leucocytes, thrombocytes and plasma that includes protein, salts, and water. Blood cancer is also known as hematologic cancer, which develops when the bone marrow and the blood cells get affected, the production and function of these cells stop functioning and the cancer cells grow out of control.
Causes of Blood Cancer
Although there is no exact reason for blood cancer, some factors may be related to this disease which can be –
- Heredity
- Age
- Weakened Immune System
- Certain Infections
- AIDS
- Smoking
- Alcohol Consumption
- Chemotherapy
- Organ Transplantation
- Use Of Hair Dies
- Maternal-Fetal Transmission
Types of Blood Cancer
Blood cancer is mainly of 3 types
1. Leukemia
It is a blood cancer of WBCs or leukocytes and bone marrow occurring due to excess production of abnormal WBCs.
It is of four main types –
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
- Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
2. Lymphoma
It affects the lymphatic system, blood cells, spleen and bone marrow. It is mainly of two types.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
- Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
3. Myeloma
It is a tumor of plasma cells mainly WBCs (white Blood cells). This cancer leads to the weakening of the immune system and prevents the production of antibodies hence our body becomes prone to infection and other diseases as well.
Clinical Features of Blood Cancer
These can be –
- Sudden weight loss
- Cough
- Dysphagia
- Frequent Infections
- Weakness
- Pelvic Pain, Nipple Changes, Swollen Breasts (In females)
- Wheezing
- Stomachache
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Headache
- Back Pain
- Fatigue
- Dyspnoea
Natural Treatment for Blood Cancer
1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
The scientific name of the herb is Withania somnifera. This herb has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, medicinal, rejuvenating and blood detoxifying properties. It helps in fighting stress, weakness, and fatigue and is very effective in managing symptoms related to blood cancer.
2. Curcumin (Curcuma longa)
It is due to which it has a lot of medicinal properties. It is antioxidant in nature, has immune-boosting properties, helps in improving the health of the individuals, helps in fighting away infections, helps in reducing the formation of free radicals, flushing away the toxic materials from the body and helps in fighting away the blood cancer to a significant extent.
3. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
The botanical name of this herb has anti-inflammatory properties, helps in eliminating the oxidants from the body, very effective in treating the respiratory complications, provides relief from headaches, flu, cold and cough and helps in pacifying Kapha dosha and Vata doshas of the body.
4. Guggul (Commiphora mukul)
The botanical name of this herb is Commiphora mukul. This herb has anti-oxidating, anti-inflammatory, and blood purifying properties, helps in relieving the pain, helps in revitalizing and rejuvenating the cells and also helps in relieving pain related to blood cancer as well.
5. Shilajit
Shilajit acts as one of the effective stress busters, provides relief from tension and causes relaxation and also works synergistically to fight away the infection related to blood cancer.
6. Vacha (Acorus calamus)
Vacha helps in reducing stress and helps in providing relief from tension, depression, helps in relaxation and helps to fight away the infections related to blood cancer. Vacha has a very balancing effect on the deranged Vata dosha in the body, acts as a detoxifier and helps to dissolve and digests “Ama” or the toxic metabolites accumulated in our body.
7. Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
Amalaki helps in reducing stress and helps in providing relief from tension, depression, helps in relaxation and helps to fight away the infections related to blood cancer, pacify all three dosha of the body and is very effective in various bleeding disorders (rakatpittaghna).
8. Vidanga (Embelia ribes)
Vidanga helps in fighting with the infections related to blood cancer, acts as an excellent stress buster, provides relief in depression, anxiety and fatigue, helps in body relaxation, provides good health and energy to body due to its rejuvenating property, acts as blood cleanser, used to clear extra toxins that are circulating in human plasma and lymphatic system and is used to pacify Vata and Kapha doshas of the body.
9. Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia)
Giloy helps in reducing stress and helps in providing relief from tension, depression, helps in relaxation and helps to fight away the infections related to blood cancer. Guggul helps to remove the extra toxins from body, rejuvenates the body, helps to maintain the balance between dosha, dhatu and mala, helps in boosting up the immune system. This herb helps to maintain overall health and helps to prevent the body from diseases.
