A group of physicians from Ayurveda at Patanjali Bhartiya Ayurvigyan Evum Anusandhan Sansthan in Haridwar has recorded a rare medical success in cancer. They cured a 44-year-old male with Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (MPN), a serious and rare blood cancer, with just Ayurvedic medicines.
The case was made available in the International Journal of Advanced Research (ISSN: 2320-5407, Vol. 11, Issue 12, pp. 250–257) titled “An Ayurveda Case Study on Myeloproliferative Neoplasm W..S.R Toraktarbuda” (DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/17981) by Dr. Avinash Kumar Srivastava, Dr. Rajan Dalel, Dr. Ankita Aggarwal, and Dr. Paridhi Painuly.
A rare condition
Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs) are types of blood cancer that develop when the bone marrow produces too many cells in the blood. This may be more red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. The excess cells have the potential to thicken the blood, make it more prone to clotting, and other complications in health.
Based on World Health Organization (WHO) classification, MPN has several forms, such as Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Polycythemia Vera (PV), Primary Myelofibrosis (PMF), and Essential Thrombocythemia (ET) (Sandhya & Shah, 2021). MPNs are extremely rare, fewer than six cases per 100,000 individuals appear per year in Western nations.
In Ayurveda, MPNs are not mentioned by name, though the condition can be likened to Raktarbuda, which is mentioned in classical texts such as Sushruta Samhita and Astanga Hridaya. Raktarbuda is characterized by abnormal growth in the bone marrow and blood, resulting in conditions akin to leukemia, including weakness, anemia, and enlargement of organs.
The patient’s story
The patient, a 44-year-old man, reported to the outpatient department (OPD) of Patanjali Ayurveda Hospital, Haridwar, on September 5, 2023. He already had a diagnosed case of Myeloproliferative Neoplasm according to his pathology reports. His signs and symptoms were: fever for 15 days, weakness with mild abdominal pain for one week, weakness with mild abdominal pain, Hepatosplenomegaly for 10 days.
An ultrasound revealed massive splenomegaly (spleen measure 23.86 cm) and mild liver enlargement, with minimal ascites and right-sided pleural effusion.
Leukocytosis was there on blood tests. It is an extremely elevated white blood cell count (WBC 181,810 on August 30, 2023), which points toward severe progression of disease.
The ayurvedic treatment plan
Instead of chemotherapy or other contemporary cancer therapies, the physicians prescribed a one-month Ayurvedic regime with Raktashamak (blood-purifying), Pittashamak (Pitta-balancing), Lekhan (scraping), and Rasayana (rejuvenating) actions.
Medicines employed
1. Kayakalp Kwath + Sarvakalp Kwath: 100 ml twice a day
Kayakalp Kwath incorporates herbs such as Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Neem (Azadirachta indica), and Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia) possessing anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, and immune-stimulating properties.
>Sarvakalp Kwath contains Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), Bhumiamla (Phyllanthus niruri), and Makoy (Solanum nigrum), which guard the liver and check spleen inflammation.
2. Cystogrit Diamond: 1 tablet twice daily before meals
It contains Kanchnar bark, Haldi, Shila Sindoor, Mukta Shukti Pishti, Tamra Bhasma, and Heeraka Bhasma, which decrease organ swelling and possess anti-tumor activity.
3. Kaishore Guggulu + Arogyavardhini Vati: 2 tablets twice daily after meals
Kaishore Guggulu cleanses the blood, normalizes all three doshas, and aids in the elimination of toxins. Arogyavardhini Vati facilitates liver function and appetite.
4. Mixed Fresh Juices: Giloy juice, Godhan Ark (cow urine distillate), and Neem-Tulsi juice; 15 ml twice daily before meals.
Giloy stimulates immunity and possesses anti-cancer value. Godhan Ark is “Sanjivani” (life-reviving) as per Ayurveda and involves natural bio-enhancers (Randhawa, 2010). Neem-Tulsi juice possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.
Excellent recovery within one month
After a month of treatment, on October 9, 2023, the patient’s test results were remarkable. WBC decreased from 181,810 to 3,880/cumm, nearly to normal levels. Liver and spleen sizes normalized, as evidenced by ultrasound. The patient experienced complete resolution of fever, abdominal pain, and tiredness. Normal white blood cell distribution was there in the post-treatment blood report showing recovery of bone marrow function.
As per lead author Dr. Rajan Dalel, the case demonstrates how principles of Ayurveda could apply to conditions not explicitly described in ancient literature. With the knowledge of the root cause of the disease (Samprapti), the physicians employed herbs and formulations which operate on blood purification, immune modulation, and organ repair.
The authors note that Ayurveda is not merely supportive care but can, in fact, treat disease mechanisms. Giloy, Punarnava, Neem, and Manjishta are some herbs that have been noted to possess documented anti-cancer, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities.
Expert views and warnings
Though the outcomes are encouraging, experts caution. MPNs are incurable diseases, and complete remission is not possible except by modern treatments such as targeted therapy. But this case contributes to increasing studies. Ayurveda may have a place in integrative oncology by combining the traditional with modern medicine.
References cited in the study are both traditional Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Astanga Hridaya) as well as contemporary medical studies. This indicates a nexus between the two systems.