Some case reports documented the effectiveness of different Ayurvedic drugs for their clinical efficacy in leukemia. A case report documented the beneficial effect of a multimineral preparation, highlighted with the juices of Shyama Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Bilva leaves (Aegle marmelos), Sadaphuli (Catharanthus roseus), other Tikta Rasatmaka Aushadhies (bitter taste compound formulation medicines – Rohitakarishta, Kumaryasava, and Lohasava) given through oral route coupled with the per rectal administration of Majjabasti (medicinal preparation of animal bone marrow) with Panchtikta Ghrita (Ghrita cooked with several bitter taste medicines), to demonstrate a great role in the management of a case of acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL). The same report also documented the benefit of the above-mentioned regimen in the other two cases of ALL in the first and third stages (in conjunction with conventional treatment). No major side effects were noticed in the treatment duration (even in the case with adjuvant chemotherapy), and liver and kidney function tests were normal.
BALA CHIKITSA (KAUMARABHRITYA) - PEDIATRICS
Bala Chikitsa, also known as Kaumarabhritya, is a branch of Ayurveda that deals with the health and well-being of children from the prenatal stage to adolescence. It mainly focuses on preventive measures that ensures healthy growth and development of a child, such as providing a healthy and peaceful environment for the mother before conception, adopting nutritious dietary patterns, and providing a sterilized living space for the baby. Earlier, Ayurvedic knowledge like Brihathrayi have briefly documented the information on Kaumarabhrthya. Later on, Acharya Kashyapa wrote a detailed treatise on Kaumarabrthya Tantra, which still remains as an important pediatric reference in Ayurveda. However, this is available only in an incomplete state. Now, Kaumarabrthya has developed in to an important branch in Ayurveda.
The best food for a new born baby is breast milk. Every infant and child have the right to good nutrition. The first 2 years of a child's life are majorly important, as it needs optimal nutrition during this period. It lowers morbidity, reduces the risk of chronic diseases and nurtures better development overall. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months has many benefits for the infant and mother. According to Charak samhita, maatrustanya (breast milk) is enliving, nourishing, nutrition rich, congenial to human body and contributes with most of the immune system after birth.
Nowadays, a number of newer diseases are arising due to various microbial mutations leading to almost no availability of treatment at all. Therefore, a strong immunity should be developed amongst children to fight against such diseases and providing special care in prevention of upcoming diseases as well. Here, Ayurveda plays a major role in promoting safe and effective measures to not only treat disease but also to maintain the health by improving one’s immunity of the body. Hence the long-standing motive of Ayurveda of maintaining health as well as curing the diseases in children will not be suppressed despite of fast forward generation and improper lifestyles.
This branch emphasizes the importance of the child's physical and mental development, and it recognizes that any imbalance in the doshas can affect the child's overall health. As soon as the new born baby enters the world, it comes in contact with the environment and various allergens, immunity stands as a major factor which improves the quality of life hence, Bala Chikitsa involves the use of herbs, natural remedies, and dietary recommendations to boost children’s immune systems. Ayurvedic herbs such as Ashwagandha, Guduchi, and Amalaki are known to enhance immunity and help children fight infections and allergies.
Now a days, many types of research and practises are in progress with the pediatric diseases in ayurveda which has got a remarkable phenomenon.
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and Acute Myeloid leukemia (AML) is becoming one of the most common cancers among the pediatric age group. According to the most recent data, leukemia accounted for 2.5% of all cancers and 3.2% of all deaths, while other forms of blood cancer.
Management in contemporary medicine includes chemotherapy (the use of anticancer drugs), radiation therapy (in which the high-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells), and bone marrow transplant (in which transplantation of blood-forming stem cells is done after high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy as required) along with other supportive treatment as platelet transfusion to control bleeding. Conventional medical science manages the disease quite effectively by targeting the signalling pathways causing leukemogenesis, but with serious side effects as it also damages healthy cells,leading to low survival rate and rate of cure.
Ayurveda may offer some solutions for the above as there are so many herbals, polyherbal, mineral, and herbomineral drugs, which may play a major role in the treatment of leukemia and many other blood cancers, with significant cure rate and fewer side effects than conventional therapies.