BUILDING OJAS: The road back to health from Chemotherapy By: Jill Talve

“Ayurvedic Herbology reaches its culmination in the science of rejuvenation .Aimed at the renewal of both body and mind, Ayurvedic herbology does not seek simply longevity, but moves towards a life of pure awareness, natural creativity, spontaneous delight.” –Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Lad, The Yoga of Herbs

 

Rasayana, or Rejuvenation therapy, provides multi-dimensional relief to the many residual issues imposed on a person who has undergone chemotherapy. The general effects of rasayana therapy include Vayahsthapana (anti-aging), Balya (restoring power),  and Jeevaniya (improving vitality).   Rasayana literally means “The path of Rasa.” This implies a journey back to health. Dr. Svoboda impresses the importance of the health of the Rasa dhatu, which is the substance by which other dhatus are formed. He continues to describe healthy Rasa as the primary element in creating healthy shukra, where ojas are produced.  Bri Maya Tiwari describes rasa as “The mother essence of healing.”  She continues to define Rasa as the taste we have for all things, not only with our mouths to taste food, but through sensory impressions as well. The path to healing includes all forms of Rasa, and in choosing the appropriate foods and rituals (sadhanas) in one’s daily life, one can engage in the inherent intelligence of acting in accord with their surroundings, thereby forging a clear path to health.   Nourishing the Rasa requires the physical consumption of the sweet taste. Made up of the elements water and earth, it is the perfect foil to the hot, sharp qualities of Chemotherapy. Dr. Svoboda defines honey and its origins, pollen , which is referred to as the sperm of plants, as plant shukra, which increases human shukra and thereby nourishing Rasa.  In this way honey is a primary food in rasayana therapy. The Sanskrit term for honey, Madhu , appears in numerous classical rejuvanative formulas. One such formula that is very popular is Chyavanprash, a spicy sweet  amla based jam consisting of 5 of the 6 tastes(excludes salty). Other foods which provide the sweet taste include Whole Grains, root vegetables, fruits and milk. Foods that have the sweet taste have a cool potency(virya) and a sweet  post digestive effect (vipaka). Each dhatu benefits from the sweet taste; Foods that increase the Rasa Dhatu include some dairy products, fruits and oils; Molasses, black grapes, carrots and beets enrich the rakta dhatu; Meat, grains and nuts build mamsa dhatu; Oils, dairy, wheat and nuts replenish the medas dhatu; Bone soups will aid the Asthi dhatu; Ghee , butter and nuts protect the majja dhatu;  Milk, ghee, almonds and sesame seeds enliven the shukra dhatu.  A balanced amount of sweet taste in accordance with one’s constitution will help the recovering patient to rebuild healthy tissue. It is also essential to eat seasonally and locally. In Maya Tiwari’s Living Ahimsa Diet, she makes a strong case for the effectiveness of honoring the cycles of nature. The presence of foods as they appear in order out of the ground is not coincidence; but rather an ancient agreement between all living things to feed and be fed at the appropriate time. Since us as humans are created from the same elements that have created the seasons, we share this inherent rhythm with nature. “Only the rhythms of the seasons have the power to fully restore our vital tissues and their innate memories that guide their form and function to perfect health”.  Another important component of restoring health to a body ravaged by cancer and its treatments are the plant-based medicines utilized in Rasayana therapy. In the article published by AYU :An international Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda,  A trial involving a total of 36 cancer patients were divided into two control groups where one group received chemotherapy and radiotherapy and another group received the same cancer treatments along with an ayurvedic formulation Rasayana Avaleha. The results showed a clear indication that the formula helped to protect patients from the adverse effects while going through treatment.  The herbs used in this formula are ones that are used in many classical rejuvenative formulas and continue to be the subject of many clinical studies.  The formula contains Amalaki, Ashwaganda, Gaduchi, Yastimadhu, Jivanti, Tulasi and Pippali. Amalaki (Emblica Officinialis)or Dhatri(the nurse) is one of the strongest rejuvenatives in ayurveda. It is a premium source of vitamin C, rebuilds and retains new tissues and increases red blood cell count, and is also a major component in the rejuvanative  Chyavanprash .  Ashwaganda (Withania Somnifera)  is considered among one of the best rejuvenative herbs  for the muscles, marrow , semen and vata constitution, especially in cases where tissues are debilitated as a result of chronic disease.  Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia) is a potent anti-inflammatory and excellent tonic for the immune system.  Yashtimadhu(Glycirrhiza glabra) Otherwise known as Licorice, is an effective expectorant, demulcent, emetic, Kapha-cleansing agent, laxative, restorative, rejuvenative agent. , Jivanti (Leptadinia reticulate) is a natural source of Quercitin.   Tulasi (Ocimum sanctum)or Holy Basil, is the most sacred plant in India, as it opens the heart and mind, clears the aura and strengthens immunity.  Pippali (piper Longum), also known as long pepper is a stimulant ,expectorant  and revives weakened organic functions.  Flavonids as potent antioxidants are vital for protection against disease and are present in Guduchi, Ashwaganda, Amalaki, Pippali, and Tulasi.  Many of these herbs have a sweet rasa, cool virya and sweet vipaka, which aid in nourishing Kapha dosha, depleted by cytotoxic chemicals. As a result these herbs serve to offset the cancer anorexia-cahexia syndrome, a source of malnutrition in cancer patients. Gaduchi, Ashwaganda and Jivanti are also known adaptogens, correcting imbalances without negative side-effects.  To combat the psychological conditions that occur post-treatment, Dr. David Frawley, In his book Ayurveda and the Mind, highlights key rejuvenating herbs for the mind. Calamus,(acorus calamus)  is a rejuvenative for the brain and nervous system, and used by the ancient Vedic seers. Calamus is currently restricted for internal use by the FDA.   Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica),is a rejuvenative that increases intelligence and memory, as well as fortifies the immune system;   And  Shanka pushpi (Canscora desuccata).  Brahmi, or Mandukaparni, (Hydrocotyle asiatica, Umbellifera, Bacopa monniera, Scrophulariaceae) is considered one of the most important nervine herbs in Ayurveda. In The Yoga of Herbs by Drs. David Frawley and Vasant Lad, Brahmi is a great rejuvenative when combined with ghee, as it revitalizes brain cells and purifies the nervous system.  The Caraka Samhita has many Rasayana formulas containing the aforementioned herbs. One such formula promises that if used every day for three years a person will live a vital 100 years disease-free, will be physically strong and solid and untouchable by poison. It begins with the herbs haritaki, amalaka, bibhitaka, haridra, salaparni, bala, vidanga, guduchi, sunthi, madhuka, pippali and katphala cooked into ghee; then amalaka powder (which has been impregnated 100 times with amalaka juice) mixed with ¼ quantity of iron powder(iron Bhasma) , combined with the herbal ghee mixture and some extra honey and sugar. 10gm of the formulation is to be taken every morning and a diet of Sali and swastika rice with ghee along with green gram or milk taken at night.   If required, rasayana herbs can add bulk and increase tissue where need, but more importantly these substances will add quality tissue to the body, thereby promoting longevity and the quality of life. 

 

According to David Frawley in his book “Ayurveda and the Mind”, Dr. Frawley defines Yoga  as a means to gain awareness around the “original impetus of life”. It is the human experience to move towards integration, consciously or unconsciously, with universal wholeness and peace. This greater system of yoga can reverse  psychological distress by reuniting the mind back into pure consciousness, which “resides in perfect peace.”   Where the protocols of Ayurveda heal the body in a physical and subtle way, it also prepares the body for Yoga, an inner pathway that ultimately merges the mind which the “Cyclical nature of the cosmos”. Embodied in the classical eight limbs of yoga lie a treasure of healing practices for the cancer survivor.  The use of asana, pranayama, mantra and meditation are invaluable tools to aid in the whole Ayurvedic  healing process. Asana includes all postures, either seated of moving, that when done correctly with the right intention, can open up and loosen stagnant energies that may have played a part in causing illness.  Pranayama is a method that develops and expands the energy of the life-force (prana) beyond its ordinary limitations . Conclusions to a pilot study showed that pranayama may improve sleep disturbance, anxiety and other chemotherapy associated symptoms.  According to Dr. David Frawley, Mantra is the most important healing sound therapy in Ayurveda. The word mantra is a word that combines Trayati, that which saves, and Manas, the mind. He explains that mantra can heal emotional patterns by re-patterning them where counseling or analysis cannot. The more repetition of the mantra, the more effective it is for the individual.  Dr. Vasant Lad instructs that mantra should first be spoken aloud so that the sound is heard by the heart. Ultimately the vibrations of the mantra infiltrate the heart and no external sound is necessary, allowing the deepest resonance within, creating a powerful healing energy. Each person chooses their own mantra; as it is as unique as one’s own constitution.  Meditation is another powerful self-healing tool.  A controlled study of ninety cancer patients showed a significant decrease in those who did mindfulness meditation for 7 weeks.  31% had fewer symptoms of stress and 65% had fewer episodes of mood disturbance than those who did not meditate.    According to the American Cancer society, Some studies have also suggested that more meditation improves the chance of a positive outcome.  Deepak Chopra describes the effectiveness of meditation and healing as follows: ”  Rather than considering it a relaxation response, consider it as a heightened awareness or a restful alertness response. We meditate to experience an inner wakefulness, an inner knowingness that gives us a sense of control over the processes inside our body, as well as over our life experiences. In the silence of meditation there is alertness, flexibility, creativity, sensitivity, freshness, aliveness and renewal. There is pure consciousness, no contamination of experiences in the past, by memories or by cravings—awareness remain pure, full of energy, full of clarity.”  Additional holistic therapies that will help an individual back to health and strengthen ojas include aromatherapy and Chromotherapy . Aromatherapy enlists the sense of smell to take in the environment . Certain plants provide energetics through their oils that are extracted from the various parts, depending on the plant. If the scent is in accordance with one’s nature, the effects can be extremely beneficial to the mind, body and consciousness.  Chromotherapy, or the use of color to improve overall health, is a broad field that covers  everything from decorating the home in a color scheme that is according to one’s prakriti to using colored lights to treat different parts of the body. Understanding the elemental quality of color and how it relates to nature is another way of bringing a sense of harmony to one’s environment, setting the stage for effective healing.