A holistic paradigm for cancer care: Merging Ayurveda with contemporary oncology

Cancer continues to be among the largest health concerns globally and is not solvable with just conventional biological treatment, so this review discusses the development of a framework of comprehensive cancer care integrating Ayurvedic principles with modern oncology. While modern oncology has improved diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, these approaches have their own side effects, which do not take into consideration the overall health of the patient. Ayurveda is a comprehensive system of health care and is an excellent complementary approach to conventional cancer care because its goals are to balance tridosha (bioenergies – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha ), maximize agni (digestive/metabolic fire), eliminate ama (toxins), and retain ojas (vitality). This review systematically addresses the effectiveness of Ayurvedic formulations, specifically Curcuma longa (turmeric), Withania somnifera Linn. ( Ashwagandha ), and Tinospora cordifolia Linn. ( Guduchi ), with therapeutic interventions, such as Panchakarma , dietary changes, and lifestyle changes to enhance therapeutic effects and reduce treatment-related toxicities. The review proposes an integrative framework combining traditional and modern scientific evidence, framed in the context of Prakriti -based personalized approach and current modern precision medicine. New research and clinical evidence support that incorporating integrative approaches may enhance treatment effectiveness and reduce side effects.