elements: TABLE OF CONTENTS

		
Volume 4 (1) 2006
4-7

Ayurvedic Concept of Food and Nutrition
Amala Guha
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT.
Abstract: Ayurveda places special emphasis on Ahar (diet) and Anna (food) and believes that healthy nutrition nourishes the mind, body and soul.  Ayurveda does not discriminate food to be good, or bad, instead it emphasizes various factors that influence food, such as its biological properties, origin, environmental factors, seasons, preparation, freshness, and provides a logical explanation of how to balance food

8-12

Six Stages to Nutrition
Vasant D. Lad
Ayurvedic Institute, NM
Abstract:  Nutrition plays a vital role in all aspects of physical and mental well-being. The overall health of a person depends directly or indirectly on what one eats, how the food is processed according to ones agni, behavioral factors that influence agni, the metabolic process of digestion and finally on the ahar rasa (the microchyle) as the final product of the entire process.  According to Ayurveda, nutrition maintains strength, vigor, and vitality of a person.  Thus, choosing the right diet for one self is Important.

13-16

Oral Cancer Treatment with an Alternative Poly-herbal Therapy ‘HUMA’  in two Patients with Advanced Disease
Sanjoy Kumar Pal*, Syeda Hina Fatima**, Raj Mehrotra+
* Department of Gastroenterology Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India**Huma Cancer Society, Ganj Plaza, Lucknow UP 226001, India. + Department of Pathology, King George Medical School Lucknow
Abstract: An alternative poly-herbal cancer therapy ‘HUMA’ is very popular in northern India. This therapy was first advocated by Dr. S M Atiq in mid 1980’s. HUMA was derived from various important Ayurvedic herbs viz.  Azadirachta indica, Acacia catechu, Asparagus recemosus, Curcuma longa, Calotropis procera, Catharanthus roseus, Embelica officinalis, Ocimum sanctum, Plumbago xylanica, Semecarpus anacardium, Tinospora cordifolia, Tiliacora racemosa, Withania sominifera, etc.  Every year over 500 cancer patients from all over India try this therapy primarily for palliation.  Marked regression of cancer / tumor with out any side effects has been observed in many patients. We report the follow-up of two patients suffering from oral cancer who tried this therapy. Complete regression of tumor was observed in both the patients. However, the disease relapsed after the therapy was stopped in one patient and after repeat FNAC to know the status of residual disease in other.  The oral cancer scenario in India is very different from the cancer problem from other parts of the world in term of challenges and magnitude. Majority patients with oral cancer present with advance stage have incurable disease. HUMA therapy can be a promising alternative for oral cancer treatment in India. Hence, properly designed clinical trial should be undertaken.