Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Professionals in Cancer Care
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Ayurvedic medicine: an overview ›
Find Ayurvedic practitioners ›
Ayurvedic medicine: an overview
Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems, originating in India over 3,000 years ago. It is based on a holistic approach that emphasizes the interconnectedness between individuals, their health, and the universe. Ayurveda focuses on balancing the body’s constitution, or prakriti, and managing the three life forces known as doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—which are believed to govern physical and mental health.1National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth. April 7, 2016. Viewed February 5, 2018.
What do Ayurvedic practitioners offer?
Ayurvedic physicians, or vaidyas, provide individualized treatment plans that aim to balance a person’s doshas and restore harmony within the body. Treatment can include:2National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth. April 7, 2016. Viewed February 5, 2018.
- Herbal formulations: Ayurvedic remedies often involve a combination of herbs and proprietary ingredients. Some common herbs used in cancer care include curcumin › and ashwagandha.
- Massage therapy: Ayurvedic massage, known as abhyanga, is used to promote circulation, detoxification, and overall well-being.
- Lifestyle recommendations: Diet, exercise, meditation, and other daily practices are tailored to the individual’s constitution and health needs.
Some Ayurvedic herbs and therapies, such as curcumin › and yoga ›, are included in our Supplements and Therapies Database ›, where the medical benefits are evaluated based on available evidence. While Ayurvedic treatments are widely used, it’s important to be cautious with Ayurvedic products, as some have been found to contain harmful levels of heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. High-quality, reputable sources should be sought to minimize risks.
Who are Ayurvedic practitioners?
Ayurvedic practitioners vary in their level of training and the services they can provide, particularly outside of India. In the United States, for example, Ayurvedic practice is not formally regulated by federal or state governments, and there is no standardized licensing or credentialing system for Ayurvedic medicine. As a result, the services that Ayurvedic professionals can legally offer are often limited by state laws that prohibit the unlicensed practice of medicine. Patients should be aware of the practitioner’s credentials and ensure that treatments align with both legal guidelines and evidence-based practices.
Find an Ayurvedic practitioner
National Ayurvedic Medical Association: Find an Ayurvedic Professional ›
Yes to Life: Ayurveda › Find practitioners or clinics providing Ayurveda
Nancy’s List Directory of Integrative Practitioners and Healing Centers › (search for “Ayurveda”)
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Explore the research on Ayurveda-related therapies
Learn about other medical approaches
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Reviewers of selected sections
Dr. Rao is a medical oncologist, the medical director of integrative oncology at University Hospitals Connor Whole Health, and director of medical oncology for genitourinary cancer at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center. He is the 2022-23 president-elect of the Society for Integrative Oncology. Dr. Rao is also the host of the podcast Integrative Oncology Talk, with support from the Society for Integrative Oncology.
After graduating from the University of Michigan Medical School and completing a residency program in internal medicine at the University of California San Diego, Dr. Rao completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona and later obtained a board certification in integrative medicine through the American Board of Integrative Medicine. Dr. Rao has trained in Ayurveda and Healing Touch. He also attended the Leadership Program in Integrative Medicine at Duke University. His research interests include genitourinary oncology, sleep, and integrative medicine implementation and program development.
Erin Price, MSW, LICSW, OSW-C, was driven to help others facing cancer shortly after her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2010 at the age of 27. Erin currently serves as the Young Adult and Psychosocial Support Programs Director at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC, where she manages various programs and serves as a therapist and integrative patient navigator. Her areas of expertise include cancer survivorship, adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer, and integrative cancer care. She is also a graduate of the National Breast Cancer Coalition’s Project LEAD scientific research advocacy training, an experienced grant reviewer for the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, and a member of the Georgetown Breast Cancer Advocates. She has presented at several national conferences and been published in peer-reviewed journals. In 2021, she was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Rising Star and Emerging Leader in Cancer.
Christine has a dynamic background in the life sciences, public health, and program operations. Her career began at the lab bench with a Gates Foundation-funded HIV Vaccine research group, which led her to graduate studies in public health epidemiology at UC Berkeley. Her research experience spans clinical epidemiology research to evaluating the impacts of community nutrition programs in Los Angeles, the Central Valley, and Oakland. Most recently she has worked in executive operations for a seed-stage venture capital firm based in San Francisco. Personally, Christine is passionate about holistic health and wellness. She is a clinical herbalist and Reiki master, and she has been practicing yoga for 15+ years. She brings a breadth of experiences to her work leading the CancerChoices program.
Last update: October 31, 2024
Last full resource review: August 2021
CancerChoices provides information about integrative in cancer care, a patient-centered approach combining the best of conventional care, self care and evidence-informed complementary care in an integrated plan cancer care. We review complementaryin cancer care, complementary care involves the use of therapies intended to enhance or add to standard conventional treatments; examples include supplements, mind-body approaches such as yoga or psychosocial therapy, and acupuncture therapies and self-care lifestyle actions and behaviors that may impact cancer outcomes; examples include eating health-promoting foods, limiting alcohol, increasing physical activity, and managing stress practices to help patients and professionals explore and integrate the best combination of conventionalthe cancer care offered by conventionally trained physicians and most hospitals; examples are chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy and complementary therapies and practices for each person.
Our staff have no financial conflicts of interest to declare. We receive no funds from any manufacturers or retailers gaining financial profit by promoting or discouraging therapies mentioned on this site.
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