Friday, February 26, 2010

Indian bitter melon may harbour breast cancer cure

Washington, DC: An extract from bitter melon, a vegetable common in India and known as 'karela' in Hindi, helps trigger a chain of events that kills breast cancer cells and prevents them from multiplying, claims an Indian-origin researcher at Saint Louis University.

Ratna Ray, PhD., professor in the department of pathology at Saint Louis University and lead researcher, said she was surprised that the extract from the bitter melon she cooks in stir fries inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells.

"To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the effect of bitter melon extract on cancer cells," Ray said. "Our result was encouraging. We have shown that bitter melon extract significantly induced death in breast cancer cells and decreased their growth and spread."

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Triphala for Cancer patients
Recently, a human clinical research study on an Ayurvedic formulation Triphala Choorna was conducted at Vydehi Institute of Oncology and Research center.

The formulation used is an oral rinsing solution with water and honey. It proved to be effective in treating oral mucosistis (inflammation and ulceration that occurs in the mouth of cancer patients undergoing chemo or radiation therapy.

Method of usage
5gm (01 Tsp.) of Triphala fine powder was mixed in 200ml of water and boiled. The decoction was cooled to room temperature and one teaspoon of honey was mixed with it. The patients were encouraged to rinse vigorously for at least 30 seconds and retain the decoction in the mouth for 3-5 minutes before spitting/swallowing.

Conclusion
The patients who were on regular oral rinse with Triphala did not produce mucositis above grade two until the end of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This has helped them continue radiotherapy and chemotherapy sessions without taking any treatment breaks.

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Ayurvedic Cooking
Gourmets groan when asked to switch to a health diet as it usually means giving up yummy, tasty stuff for bland food. But not anymore. Ayurveda teaches that you can be healthy even while indulging your taste buds. You can make mouth-watering dishes that are nutritious and healthy too. Most health problems are caused by an improper diet. In Ayurveda every food has its own taste (rasa), a heating or cooling energy (virya) and a digestive consequence (vikapa). You upset your system if you combine foods of different nature such as fruits with milk. Ayurveda teaches a rational way to prepare food keeping in mind the dietary need of the individual based on his or her body type and prakurti (body constitution of vata, pitta and kapha).
The focus of Ayurveda cooking is healing, prevention and health care. Food prepared in Ayurveda style also reduces stress and helps cure heart ailments, diabetes and asthma. Cloves ease toothache, fennel with dry coriander reduces acidity, ginger shoos away the cold and turmeric has antioxidant properties.