Search This Blog

Dr. Vikram Chauhan - MD (Ayurveda)

Friday, August 5, 2016

Herbal Treatment for Adrenocortical Carcinoma

People are familiar with so many diseases but some conditions of the body that occur rarely and these are not so common for a person to hear but the one who suffers from such disease knows the pain. If we hear of Cancers that brings a feeling of fear. Among some of these rare conditions is Adrenocortical Carcinoma which is cancerous growth of Cortex of Adrenal gland.

On top of the kidneys lies a gland known as adrenal gland that has important role in endocrine system, having two parts adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla that produce and regulate hormones.

The adrenal cortex produces Aldosterone- that regulates the level of water and salt in the body as well as maintains blood pressure, produces cortisol- managing the metabolism of the body, also produces androgen – Sex hormones.

Cancerous growth in Adrenal Cortex leads to adrenocortical carcinoma and this malignancy occurs rarely. Affects only 0.72 persons per one million population.

Adrenal cortical carcinomas can be either

Functioning tumors where there is usually increase in the production of cortisol, testosterone, and aldosterone in the body.

Nonfunctioning tumors do not increase the adrenal glands' hormonal production.

Causes of Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma

  • The exact cause is not known.
  • ACC can also be a secondary cancer.
  • This Condition may be inherited.

Ayurvedic View of Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma

As this carcinoma is not exactly mentioned in Ayurveda but Ayurveda has named such cancerous growth as Arbud.

Risk of Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma

  • Females
  • Age between 40 and 50.
  • Having hereditary disease that affects the adrenal glands.
  • In case of other cancer that is aggressive.
  • Children under age 5 are also at higher risk for this condition.

Signs and Symptoms of ACC

That may include:

  • Pain in the abdomen or back.
  • A lump in the abdomen.
  • Feeling of fullness in the abdomen.

In case of nonfunctioning adrenocortical tumor signs or symptoms may not appear in the early stages.

A functioning adrenocortical tumor makes too much of one of the AC hormones.

High cortisol can cause

  • Weight gain in the face, neck, and abdomen of the body and thin arms and legs.
  • Face is round, red, and full.
  • A lump of fat on the back of the neck.
  • A deepening of the voice and swelling of the sex organs or breasts in both males and females.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • High blood sugar.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Change in moods and Depression

High Aldosterone

  • High blood pressure.
  • Weakness or cramps in muscles.
  • Frequent urination.
  • Feeling thirsty.
  • Fluid build-up in the body's tissues.

High testosterone (in women) may cause:

  • Fine hair growth on the face, upper back, or arms.
  • Acne.
  • Balding.
  • A deepening of the voice.
  • Menstrual periods do not occur

High estrogen (in women):

  • Menstrual periods are irregular before menopause.
  • Vaginal bleeding after menopause.
  • Weight gain.

High estrogen (in men):

  • Growth in breast.
  • Lower sex drive.
  • Erection is not maintained

Symptoms are different in children.

Male sex hormones can cause:

  • Development of excessive facial, pubic, and underarm hair
  • Penis is enlarged (in boys).
  • Clitoris is enlarged (in girls).

Female sex hormones in children can set off:

  • Results in early puberty (in girls)
  • Breast enlargement (in boys).

Herbal Treatment for Adrenocortical Carcinoma

1. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

These herbal capsules are prepared using the extracts of the Withania somnifera. These capsules are beneficial in relieving symptoms such as muscle spasms, fatigue, stress, anxiety, maintain blood pressure. Loss of weight due to cancer is gained and it also enhances the physical stamina.

Ingredient / Herb:

Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) - Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb that is rich with anti-oxidant properties

Dosage - 2 capsules two times daily after meals.

2. CURCUMIN CAPSULES

These herbal capsules are formed using standardized extracts of the turmeric (Curcumin) herb. Due to this herb these capsules are anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, anti-histaminic, anti-ageing, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-coagulant, anti-thrombotic.

Ingredient / Herb:

Curcumin (Curcuma longa) - Extracted from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Consists of anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory properties

Dose - 2 capsules two times daily after meals.

3. KANCHNAAR GUGGUL

Kanchnaar guggul is an Ayurvedic herbal formulation prepared by the combination of some herbs that collectively provide beneficial effects against inflammation of the lymph nodes, blockages of the lymphatic vessels, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, goiter, metastatic tumors, and malignant cancers effectively. These are very helpful in treating the tumors of all kinds.

Ingredients:

  • Kachnar bark (Bauhinia variegata)
  • Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
  • Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
  • Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica)
  • Shunthi (Zingiber officinale)
  • Marich (Piper nigrum)
  • Pippali (Piper longum)
  • Varuna (Crataeva religiosa)

Herbs used in this formulation have anti-inflammatory property and are useful for cancer.

Dose - 2 tablets twice daily with lukewarm water.

4. TULSI CAPSULES

These herbal Capsules are formed from the Tulsi herb that has so many medicinal properties. It helps to treat cancer, autoimmune disorder, chronic rhinitis, allergy and chronic sinusitis.

Ingredient / Herb:

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) - This herb is medicinal and adaptogenic having the ability to combat stress of the body and normalizes the functioning during the traumatic periods. It comprises of Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal and immune modulator properties.

Dose - 2 capsules daily two times daily after meals.

5. GUGGUL CAPSULES

Guggul capsules are prepared from the standardized extract of pure natural guggul (resin).

Ingredient / Herb:

Guggul (Commiphora mukul) - Guggul naturally has the properties to treat obesity as well a good anti-ageing agent and it provides relief from the spread of the cancer cells to the various parts of the body.

Dose - 2 capsules two times daily after meals.

6. CHANDERPRABHA VATI

These herbal tablets are prepared from by combining various natural herbs along with other natural ingredients that work together to bring quality effects.

Ingredients / Herbs:

  • Shilajit (Asphaltum) 
  • Guggul (Commiphora mukul)   
  • Sugar (Sharkara) 
  • Karpoor (Cinnamomum camphora)          
  • Vacha (Acorus calamus)
  • Mustak (Cyprus rotundus)       
  • Haridra (Curcuma longa)    
  • Amalaki (Amla) (Emblica officinalis)
  • Chavya (Piper chaba)         
  • Vidanga (Embelia ribes)
  • Guduchi (Giloy) (Tinospora cordifolia)  
  • Shunthi (Zingiber officinalis)   
  • Maricha (Piper nigrum
  • Pippali (Piper longum)        
  • Sarjikashaar (Sodium carbonate)   
  • Yavkshaar  (Potassium carbonate) 
  • Rock salt (Saindhav Lavan)
  • Suvarchal Lavan (Sodium sulphate)   
  • Vida Lavan (Balck salt)      
  • Danti (Baliospermum montanum)  
  • Dalchini (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)  
  • Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala)    
  • Ela (Elettaria cardamomum)    

Dose - Daily 2 tablets two times daily after meals

2 comments:

  1. Hi Doctor,

    My Mother is a patient of recurrant Adrenocortical Carcinoma
    with mets in peritoneal region, retroperitoneal region, perihepatic,
    perispleenic and peri pancreatic region.
    She is having very high cortisol ( 72 as of now- administered Mifepristone for the same),
    high BP and hypothyroidism and hypokalemia

    She is currently taking
    Kachnaar Guggul 2 tabs -TID,
    Carsona -TID,
    Curcumin 2 tabs BID
    Ashwagandha 2 tabs BID
    Wheat grass + Amla+ Tulsi juice morning and evening,
    Giloy Satv 2 tabs-BID,
    Punarnava mandoor 2 tabs -BID,

    She has been taking all the medicines since last 100 days( above 3 months) except curcumin started since last 10 days

    Her cortisol level is out of control and yesterday it was 72 (normal range <22).

    Would be great if you can suggest something atleat to control her Cushings (cortisol level) and bring it to normal.
    And also to slow down the progression of the cancer .

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello

    There are wonderful herbs which work wonders and can act as a supportive treatment in all types of carcinoma. You can mail me at herbalremedies123@yahoo.com to get prescription. We can be in touch via e-mails.

    ReplyDelete