Pankaj Oudhia

More discussion on Cancer prevention through medicinal herbs

“Take 25 leaves of Tulsi daily and you can prevent cancer.” A well known Yog Guru was addressing large public gathering. I was there as “Guest of Honor.” After end of event during dinner I got opportunity to interact with him. “How you claim that use of Tulsi in this way can prevent cancer? Is there any proof or scientific study available? Or you are saying it from ancient Indian literatures?” I asked. He took me in corner and said, “Your questions are right and it is truth that I cannot reply any one of these but it is also truth that Tulsi is very useful plant and beneficial for health. Both ancient and modern medical findings are proving this truth since generations. In my lectures when I request common people to make Tulsi a part of your daily life, they ignore it but when I add that it acts as preventive to cancer, they take it sincerely.”

I got answer but one question remained unanswered. Whether cancer can be prevented through use of herbs? I have met thousands of Healers and herb experts with this question.

“As you know, I have prepared 365 day schedule for common people. Every day they have to take five leaves of common herbs available in surroundings. Every day different herbs. Only five leaves daily and in this way, use of 365 herbs round the year. I have prepared this schedule for Chhattisgarh and users can get these herbs easily without even paying its cost. Tulsi is among these herbs but Tulsi is not the only one. Munga, Dongar Bhaji, Muscaini, Musacani, Bendra booti, Karmatta, Charota, Dasmoor, Bhuineem, Tinpania, Chaupatia, Chheri Dhenti, Dhamas and so on, this list is endless. This schedule can protect you round the year from different diseases. It will increase your efficiency. You will never feel depressed, get sound sleep and also enjoy eating foods as per your taste. What else you want? May be this schedule protect you from cancer but I am not making any claim. I believe that if your health is sound and you are free from stress, cancer like diseases will remain far from you.” The Traditional Healer of Dhamtari region explained.

“Why there is one common schedule for everyone? No, we are not supporter of it. We prefer to examine the patient and based on condition suggest different herbs. We are also aware that use of five different herbs can protect from illness but for different patients we suggest different herbs.” The Healers of Kanker region said when I informed about this schedule.

I have tried to adopt this schedule sincerely but it is very difficult task. For the natives living in forest region this task is relatively simple but Traditional Healers say that their patients listen about it carefully but never follow it. “Why not you prepare powder from every herb and in form of small packets give it to patients?” I questioned. The Healers replied that powder can never take place of fresh herbs. Secondly, it is very tedious job for us to prepare 365 packets having different herbs for one patient.

I can understand the difficulties of Traditional Healers but if any commercial organization will take interest in it then it is not a big task.

As you know, earlier I was taking the services of professional computer operators for typing my documents. One of my computer operators Shri Abhay’s uncle was diagnosed leukemia. His condition was very serious. Shri Abhay shifted him to Nagpur hospital. “There is no hope.” The doctors said clearly. As last resort he approached to me. I suggested him to visit to the Healer of Southern Chhattisgarh well known for the treatment of patients at this stage. Although rate of success is very low but there is nothing wrong in try. He visited to the Healer and returned with instruction to give juice of Karela (Momordica charantia), Neem and Tulsi to patient as many times as possible in a day. He followed the instruction but it was too late.

Later I met to the Healer. Like other Healers treating such patients he also complained that in most of the cases patient’s relatives come for medicine with lot of hope. Why don’t they come little early? Without seeing the patients how we can suggest any herb? For their satisfaction we suggest them the combination of Karela, Neem and Tulsi. We know that at this stage this combination alone can not give much relief to patients.

“In general, common people run to modern hospitals when they hear the word cancer. When they get clear No from experts, they try Traditional Healing as last resort. I also have faith in Traditional Healing but my hospital never allows it.” My oncologist friend in famous hospital of Mumbai says.

I have helped him many times. Many cancer patients when approach to him at early stage he suggest specific herb schedule (prepared by me) to them orally. Most of them follow it and we believe that they fight with cancer in better way. We are not sure as we have no proof in form of systematic scientific studies. But whenever we sit at late night or chat through computer we always feel that there is need to narrow the distance between modern and traditional Healers for the sake of world community.

We are aware that it is very difficult task but it is must.         

Discussion on long term uses of Aonla, Aloe and Musli

When I was studying in school I was hearing about my maternal uncle’s experiment with Aonla. At that time he was taking Aonla in different form up to many weeks without other food material. I was told that use of alone Aonla is very difficult but it gives new life. One can get rid from chronic diseases. He completed it successfully. Later when I started reading Homoeopathy I was much interested in drug proving. I visited to meet him with lot of questions. “What practical changes you experienced after the use of Aonla in this quantity up to many weeks?” I asked.

“It was tough job but I completed it. I was facing the problem of pyorrhorea, constipation, hair fall, heart diseases and liver trouble. After taking this treatment I got free from all these troubles except heart troubles. You will be surprised to know that my troubles related to heart increased due to this treatment.” He disclosed.

His finding was not wrong. I have mentioned in previous research articles that many Traditional Healers as well as Ayurveda experts suggest heart patients to take Aonla in any form under guidance of experts. Many experts clearly instruct them to stop taking this fruit. It is bitter fact that Aonla based Ayurveda products are popular around the world and are consumed in bulk. Heart patients take in without any care. I feel that detailed study is required to confirm whether Aonla is harmful to heart patients or not specially when it is taken long?

My maternal uncle was forever young. He was Ayurveda experts as well as qualified Homoeopath. He was lecturer in high school and was having rich knowledge about herbs. We were always giving example of his health to youths surrounded with different diseases. We were not aware of the fact that bad news was waiting for us. He was admitted to famous hospital at Mumbai for mouth cancer. After initial treatment he refused to take modern therapy. At first he tried Homoeopathy and then decided to take long course based on Aonla, once more. I interacted with him in phone.

 “I am sure Pankaj that I will come back and will defeat the cancer. Let me complete this course once again.” I found confidence in his voice. He started taking Aonla in different form but unfortunately failed to complete it. His body was not ready for this hard experiment. His struggle continued and finally he passed away.

Later I discussed this case with the Traditional Healers. The senior Healers said that Aonla can be used in this way but much care is required. This experiment must be done at young stage. If you are having poor vitality, never do it. During use of Aonla in this way you must remain free of tension and take full rest.

I am not sure whether my uncle followed the standard procedure or not while using Aonla in this way.

In ancient Indian literatures much has been written on medicinal uses of herbs but less on long term effects of regular uses of single herb. Fortunately the Traditional Healers are aware of it. They know well the result of excess specially about the herbs present in surroundings. In most of the cases we learnt about it from our forefathers but we have done some experiments on us also. “But these days even without self-experimentation we get much knowledge on this aspect.” The senior Healers of Chhattisgarh Plains said with smile.

 “Now patients from Indian metros come in large number. In most of the cases they are affected by over dose of single herb. They see advertisements in television and start taking single herb or herb based combinations without taking expert advice. Long term uses result in development of new symptoms. It is wrong trend but it is bitter truth.” They disclosed.

I have mentioned in previous research articles that as new trend common people have started taking Aloe juice. They are taking in quantities twice or thrice of that mentioned in bottles. They are taking it continuously not up to many months but up to many years. Initially its use results in clear motion but very soon body gets habitual to it. Based on the vitality of people new symptoms due to excess of Aloe develop and medicine starts becoming curse for them. When any one tries to warn them by showing well proven harmful effects of long term use of Aloe they say,” It is herb based product. Hence, it will not cause any harm. It is safe totally.” This faith, rather blind faith, is making more and more people ill everyday. And companies engaged in marketing commercial Ayurveda are reaping gold due to this blind faith.

“We simply ask to patients, the drugs they are taking. We suggest them to stop using it for some time. In most of the cases they feel great relief but in many cases we use antidotes.” The Healers further explained. As mentioned in previous research articles that the Healers as well as modern experts have blamed overuse of Aloe juice up to many years as cause of cancer in at least five cases.

“You have researched on different aspects of Safed Musli (Chlorophytum sp.), please guide us. Our health expert is suggesting use of Musli based products for all family members. How same dose is suitable for all members of different age groups? You have mentioned that best season of use of Musli is winter. Our expert is recommending its year round use. Please guide.” I am getting hundreds of such queries after launch of Musli based products in Indian market.

I simply reply to them that Musli is Traditional medicine and to get maximum benefit from it take advise of Traditional experts. They will never suggest you to use it round the year. Musli is used up to specific time and for every user this time may differ. The Healers who have tried taking Musli up to many months continuously can tell you about its benefits and harms. Like other herbs there are much care is required in this case also. I feel that in every such product precautions must be mentioned in full detail. Please take herbs through genuine Ayurveda methods and ignore the big claims of commercial Ayurveda promoting companies.

Slowly but this message is reaching to people fond of self-medication.

 © Pankaj Oudhia