|
More Diseases - 1
Introduction
Any tumor is associated
with an abnormal growth of cells in the body, causing
severe problems with the utilization of the bodily
resources. Tumors go on expanding without proper
explanation for their growth; and they can lead to death
in most cases. Definition of Fantum tumors (Gulma Roga)
Gulma roga is a condition in which any mass of cells is
formed within the abdomen. The mass is usually a hard
mass and may be benign or malignant. Hence all tumors
formed in the abdomen, known as fantum tumors, need not
be cancerous. In actuality, though the name tumor is
used while describing gulma roga, the condition may be
just an aggregation of cells resembling a tumor. All
tumors and tumor-like growths in the body are caused due
to a conflict between the vata and the kapha doshas in
the human body. Vata dosha is responsible for the cell
division, i.e. the multiplication of cells in the body,
while kapha dosha is responsible for the growth of
cells.
Hence when a person has
vitiations of both the vata and the kapha dosha, there
is a high degree of risk that a tumor may occur in the
body. The condition of gulma in Ayurveda is held in
close connection with two other conditions granthi and
arbuda. Granthi is the condition in which a lump or
tumor occurs on the body which can be seen from the
outside. After a while, this lump might rupture, causing
an ulcer, which has been termed as vrana in Ayurveda .
Arbuda is the name given to the direct malignant form of
cancer. Out of all the three conditions gulma, granthi
and arbuda gulma is the least serious.
Causes and Types of
Fantum tumors (Gulma roga)
In Ayurveda , gulmaroga is
thought to be caused due to eight different reasons.
Hence it can be said that there are eight types of gulma.
The following are the eight types of gulma and their
respective causes:-
(1) Vataja Gulma This is
caused due to imbalance of the vata dosha.
(2) Pittaja Gulma This
is caused due to imbalance of the pitta dosha.
(3) Kaphaja Gulma This
is caused due to imbalance of the kapha dosha.
(4) Vataja-Pittaja Gulma
This is caused due to imbalance of both the vata and the
pitta doshas.
(5) Pittaja-Kaphaja Gulma
This is caused due to imbalance of both the pitta and
the kapha doshas.
(6) Vataja-Kaphaja Gulma
This is caused due to imbalance of both the vata and the
kapha doshas.
(7) Tridosha Gulma This
is caused due to imbalance of all the three doshas.
(8) Raktaja Gulma This
is caused due to imbalance of the artava dhaatu in
women.
All the gulmas mentioned
above are serious conditions requiring medications.
Symptoms of Fantum
tumors (Gulma roga)
Depending on the different
types of gulma roga that are present, there are
different kinds of symptoms. The following table enlists
the symptoms of the eight different kinds of gulma. Type
of Gulma Location of the Tumor Symptoms Vataja Gulma
Tumors are generally located in the large intestine or
in the lower abdomen, i.e. in the pelvic region. Pain is
observed in the neck and the head. The pain is of a
throbbing or cutting type. Enlargement of the spleen,
i.e. pleehodara, takes place. Fevers are common, with
chills. Digestive problems such as churning sensations
in the intestine occur along with chronic constipation,
i.e. anaha. There is unexplained loss of weight.
Hyper-pigmentation occurs, i.e. there is darkening of
the skin. Nails and eyes can also darken. The person can
feel movements of the tumor, as well as changes in its
shape and size within the abdomen. Pittaja Gulma Tumors
are generally located in the small intestine or in the
solar plexus. Pain is felt at the location of the tumor.
The pain is a searing or burning type of pain.
There are characteristic
fevers. There are many problems with digestion as pitta
is responsible for the digestive fire. Dyspepsia, i.e.
amalapitta and diarrhea can occur. Skin undergoes paling
of appearance and turns yellow. The nail and eyes also
become yellow and can look jaundiced.
Kaphaja Gulma Tumors are
generally located in the chest or in the stomach. The
most remarkable symptom of this type of gulma is that
the person loses his/her appetite. Instead there is
nausea and vomiting. Fevers are very common, accompanied
by chills. The tumor appears to be a hard and inflexible
knot-like mass.
Vataja-Pittaja Gulma These
tumors show combined symptoms of the vata and the pitta
doshas. Pittaja-Kaphaja Gulma These tumors show combined
symptoms of the pitta and the kapha doshas.
Vataja-Kaphaja Gulma These tumors show combined symptoms
of the vata and the kapha doshas. Tridosha Gulma These
tumors show combined symptoms of all the three doshas.
Raktaja Gulma These are tumor-like cysts andfibroids
that occur in the ovaries and the uteruses in women. In
raktaja gulma, which is found only in women, there is
the formation of a tumor-like mass instead of an embryo.
People who are at
Risk of Fantum tumors (Gulma roga)
As already mentioned
above, the combination of vata and kaphadoshas in people
are very lethal for the formation of any type of tumors.
Hence, people with the dual dosha or vata-kapha are very
vulnerable to gulma roga if they do not take the
adequate precautions.
Diet for People with
Fantum tumors (Gulma roga)
Since tumors can be caused
due to imbalances in all the three doshas, it is
necessary to take a proper diet so as not to vitiate any
of the doshas further. The common dietary guidelines are
beneficial:-
Spicy and oily foods must
be avoided. Castor oil is one among the few oils that
can be safelytaken, and it is even helpful to the
condition of gulma roga. Foods that are too hot or too
cold must be avoided, as both can vitiate the vata dosha.
Foods must not have an excess of any of the tastes. The
well-balanced food is that which contains a fair
proportion of all the tastes along with the nutrient
constituents. Red meats must be totally avoided. Instead
white meats like chicken and fish can be had. All kinds
of food that can cause constipation must be avoided.
This can play havoc with the balance of the pitta dosha
in the body. It is not advisable to have any dish that
is too dry. All dishes must have a fair amount of
liquids in it, i.e. they must contain some ghee, avy or
such component. Among fruits, pomegranates, mangoes and
dry grapes are beneficial. Lentils must be avoided as
they can cause gas and hence bring pressure on to the
abdomen. Too many carbohydrates are not good for
peoplewith fantum tumors. Hence one must avoid too much
of a rice diet and carbohydrate-containing vegetables
such as potatoes.
Ayurvedic Treatment
of Fantum tumors (Gulma roga)
Gulma roga has several
herbs and medications that are prescribed for the
treatment. Since there are several types of gulma, there
are also correspondingly different types of herbs with
different actions. The following is a list of some of
the most popular herbs that are prescribed for gulma,
along with their specific actions on the human body.
Adraka or Sunthi Zingiber
officinalis GingerGinger is given to people with gulma
roga. It is taken with four times the amount of sesame
oil and twice the amount of jaggery in a mixture with
milk. This concoction is known to reduce the symptoms of
vataja gulma. This recipe is a very ancient medication,
suggested by Chakradatta himself. Ashoka (chetti) Saraca
indica Ashoka Ashoka is a very potent remedy for the
treatment of raktaja gulma in women.
Bacha (Vayampu) Acorus
calamus Calamus Calamus is prescribed for people with
fantum tumors caused due to the vitiations of all the
three doshas, i.e. for the tridosha gulma. Bijapura
Citrus medica Citron The bijapura is very useful for the
treatment of gulma, as itshigh vitamin C content helps
in the allaying of the dosha imbalances that cause the
gulma roga.
Heenga (Kayam) Ferula
foetida Asafetida Along with bacha, heenga is also used
for the treatment of tridosha gulma. Manjishtha Rubia
cordifolia Indian Madder Manjishtha is used for the
proper control of raktaja gulma. With the use of
manjishtha, therecould be initially an increase in the
bleeding, but with continued use, the bleeding will stop
completely. Shvetajiraka or Jeera Cuminum cyminum Cumin
The seeds of jeera are prescribed in the prevention of
fantum tumors. The seeds are powdered and their dry
powder is used for oral consumption. Yavani Hyoscyamus
niger Henbane Henbane is a
nervine agent. At the same
time it helps in relieving the pain and acts as a
sedative. Therefore it is prescribed for people with
fantum tumors.
The herbs mentioned above
have been expertly mixed into preparations. These
preparations contain just the right proportions of herbs
so as not to produce major side effects. The following
are some herbs that are effective in the treatment of
fantum tumors:-
Type of Preparation
Name of Preparation
Asava/Arishta -Pippaladi
Asava, Khari Arishta, Rohitaka Arishta, Pancha Asava,
Bhasma/Kashaya -Tamara Bhasma, Tila Kwatha, Naga,Bhasma,
Choorna -Chitrakadi Choorna, Narayan Choorna,
Hinguvastaka Choorna, Bhaskara Lavana Choorna, Hingu
Vachadi Choorna, Ghrita- Eladi Ghrita, Indukanta Ghrita,
Dhanvantara Ghrita, Lahsunadi Ghrita, Bhallataka, Ghrita,
Lehya- Sukumara Lehya, Dhanti Haritaki Lehya, Rasa
Lokanathana Rasa, Sootha Shekhara Rasa, Kantha Vallabha
Rasa, Vati Gulmaharayoga, Sanjeevani Vati, Chitrakadi,
Vati
Ayurveda also prescribes
some metals for the treatment of fantum tumors. The
following are some of the commonly prescribed ones:-
Calcium in the form of
bhasma of the conch shell Sodium carbonate in the form
of a Gulmanaashaka called Swarjikshara
Sodium bicarbonate in the
form of Gulmanaashaka called Tanaka
It must be borne in mind
that while taking any Ayurvedic preparation, the doctor
must be
consulted first. Most of
the herbs do not have any side-effects (and are indeed a
regular part of the diet), but some people may be
allergic to certain herbs and may show adverse
reactions.
»»»
Introduction |
»»»
More
Diseases 2
|
