Ayurveda in Cancer Care

Guest Editor’s Note: Ayurveda, the traditional medical system that originated in India, focuses on improving overall well-being through self-care, diet, and herbal formulations. There is a growing patient interest in using Ayurveda for symptom control and to improve quality of life. In this article, Krupali Desai, MD Ayurveda, MPH, and Jerrin Bawa, MBBS, summarize available evidence surrounding Ayurveda in oncology settings.

Overview

Ayurveda, an ancient traditional medical system from India, is grounded in the holistic understanding of health as a balance between body, mind, and spirit. Translated as knowledge of life—ayur (life) and veda (knowledge)—it is based on the idea that health and wellness depend on a balance between three fundamental biological energies (doshas). All individuals have a unique combination of these energies known as prakriti (innate constitution), which determines their physical, mental, and physiologic characteristics. Imbalance in these energies can manifest as disease. Based on individual body constitution and imbalances, Ayurveda emphasizes a highly personalized approach that includes diet and lifestyle modifications, self-care practices, daily and seasonal routines, mind-body practices, and herbal medicines to maintain or restore health.

Potential in Oncology Care

With growing global interest,¹ Ayurveda has garnered attention for its potential contributions to oncology care.^2,3Multiple plant-based compounds—such as those from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha),^4,5 Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi),⁶ Phyllanthus emblica (Amla),^7,8 Ocimum tenuiflorum (Tulsi),^9,10 and Azadirachta indica (Neem)¹⁰—have demonstrated anticancer, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. Of note, they have shown promise in treating melanoma, as they exhibit skin-protective effects, reduce ultraviolet-induced damage, and enhance tissue regeneration and have potential in mitigating treatment-related toxicities.¹¹

“Although evidence for the use of Ayurvedic herbs in oncology care requires further scientific validation, personalized diet and lifestyle guidance rooted in Ayurvedic principles may offer valuable support in improving behavioral health....”

— KRUPALI DESAI, MD AYURVEDA, MPH, AND JERRIN BAWA, MBBS

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Additionally, compounds such as indole-3-carbinol (I3C), found in the spice cardamom, may induce apoptosis, arrest cell cycle, and downregulate oncogenic signaling pathways such as NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa) and BCL2. I3C has also been shown to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents by modulating P-glycoprotein–mediated drug resistance.¹² Another herb called Terminalia chebula (Haritaki), which contains a high concentration of ellagic acid, triggers mitochondrial apoptosis and PARP1 activation in cancer cells.¹³

Although clinical data are limited with these compounds, preliminary findings suggest potential benefits of Ayurvedic formulations as adjuvants to cancer treatments. For instance, a study involving 36 patients found that Rasayana Avaleha significantly reduced treatment-related side effects such as vomiting, mucositis, alopecia, and ageusia when administered along with conventional therapy.¹⁴ In another trial, patients who received Ayurvedic herbs during or after chemotherapy had improvements in nausea, fatigue, appetite loss, and quality of life.¹⁵

Over the past few years, curcumin has been studied extensively for its potential anticancer effects.^16-18 In one study of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, those receiving curcumin with FOLFOX (folinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatin) had longer median progression-free survival (320 vs 171 days) and overall survival (596 vs 200 days) compared with patients who received FOLFOX alone. However, the small sample size and baseline differences between groups limit the interpretability of these results.^19,20

A systematic review and meta-analysis found that turmeric (mouth wash/gel/oral treatments) improved oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer who had undergone radiation therapy or radiochemotherapy.²¹ Ginger has also been widely studied in patients receiving chemotherapy, with data showing it to be a safe adjuvant for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.^22,23

Large, methodologically robust clinical trials are needed to validate the previously mentioned findings. However, challenges include standardizing herbal extracts, ensuring batch-to-batch consistency, and identifying active constituents.

Closing Thoughts on Behavioral Health

Although evidence for the use of Ayurvedic herbs in oncology care requires further scientific validation, personalized diet and lifestyle guidance rooted in Ayurvedic principles may offer valuable support in improving behavioral health, an increasingly recognized factor in cancer-related outcomes. Studies have shown that the Ayurvedic lifestyle and dietary interventions may be effective as adjuncts to conventional treatment of chronic conditions such as hypertension²⁴ and diabetes.²⁵ In addition, feasibility studies of Ayurveda and yoga-based programs indicate potential benefits for mental and physical well-being, weight management, and quality of life.^26,27 In oncology settings, a pilot study of breast cancer survivors found improvements in emotional and cognitive functioning, symptom relief, and overall well-being with Ayurveda,²⁸ suggesting it may offer a unique behavioral health framework within cancer survivorship care.

At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, we have developed a 6-week virtual Ayurveda education program aimed at promoting health, enhancing quality of life, and supporting symptom management in patients affected by cancer. Grounded in Ayurvedic dietary and lifestyle principles, the program has been well received with high satisfaction and cross-cultural appeal among patients with cancer. We will evaluate both the qualitative and quantitative data to assess the impact of this program on behavioral changes and symptom management. This model may serve as a pathway for integrating traditional wisdom into modern cancer care, particularly to support the behavioral health and well-being of patients with cancer.

DISCLOSURE: Dr. Desai and Dr. Bawa reported no conflicts of interest.

REFERENCES

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Dr. Desai is Project Coordinator of the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Bawa is a Research Fellow in the Integrative Medicine Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

*MD Ayurveda: The Doctor of Medicine in Ayurveda (MD Ayurveda), or Ayurveda Vachaspati, is a 3-year Masters-level course in the alternative medical system of Ayurveda. The program is offered in some medical colleges in Sri Lanka and India.