Medical advances have extended cancer survival rates, but most survivors experience ongoing symptoms that include fatigue and metabolic problems, along with immune system weakness and mental health challenges. Standard rehabilitation approaches fail to provide thorough solutions for survivors’ complex medical requirements. This review investigates how the combination of Shodhana and Rasayana therapies from Ayurveda could function as a post-cancer rehabilitation treatment. A narrative review of classical Ayurvedic texts, contemporary clinical studies, and experimental data was conducted to evaluate the theoretical rationale and practical application of Shodhana and Rasayana therapies in cancer recovery. Shodhana ( Panchakarma ) therapies function to remove remaining pathological substances from the body while restoring digestive–metabolic balance ( Agni ), and Rasayana therapy supports tissue regeneration and enhances immunity ( Vyadhikshamatva ) and vitality. Studies show that the medicinal plants – Withania somnifera ( Ashwagandha ), Emblica officinalis ( Amalaki ), Curcuma longa ( Haridra ), and Tinospora cordifolia ( Guduchi ), Gomutra arka provide antioxidant properties while also having immunomodulatory and adaptogenic benefits. Based on recent research on Withania somnifera , Tinospora cordifolia , and Curcuma longa , the treatments work through modifying vital molecular pathways such as PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, and MAPK, which results in the induction of apoptosis and the reduction of oxidative stress. The framework of Ayurveda offers personalized healing methods for cancer patients after their treatment. Rasayana and Shodhana therapies work to improve patient recovery through the regulation of molecular pathways (PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, and MAPK), which induces apoptosis and decreases oxidative stress while strengthening immune function. Bioactive compounds found in the herbs Ashwagandha , Guduchi , Haridra , Triphala and Chyavanaprasha facilitate healing throughout the body system. While promising, further clinical validation and standardized integrative models are essential for their incorporation into mainstream oncology care.
Kanojia et al. (Thu,) studied this question.