Herbal medicine is an $80bn industry

August 28, 2007 |17:41 | Herbal Medicine By : Team X

Absar Khan was two-and-a-half years old when he was diagnosed with blood cancer (AML-M7). He was admitted to a famous hospital in Karachi, which referred him to England for treatment. But to the utter shock of the family, doctors at the Great Almond Street hospital, after examining the child, came to the conclusion that he had only two months to live. The troubled nature of his disease could be gauged from the fact that his was the fourth case in the world (1987). Someone suggested herbal treatment for the child and they ultimately approached the VCP Cancer Research Foundation in Dehradun, India where he was treated successfully.“It is a miracle and I don’t have words to express my gratitude to God,” said Nusrat, the mother of the child. She said that, at present, her son is studying law in London.Dr Vaidya Balendu Prakash, who treated the child in India and is in town these days, said that “ayurvedic treatment across the world is increasing because of perceived side effects and the expenses involved in allopathic treatment, which relies on pain killers.”Talking to The News, Dr Prakash, while referring a report of World Health Organisation said the number of cancer patients will increase up to 50 per cent by 2020. Around 800,000 cancer patients are reported in India each year, out of which at least half end up dead. Dr Prakash, who is a member of the National Cancer Control Programme in India, said around 25,000 people get treatment from a hospital in Bombay each year. The situation was no better in developed countries as there were 50 million cancer patients in Europe and 30 million in USA, respectively.He said that 10-12 per cent of the world population suffers from migraine (a recurrent headache), for which treatment is becoming a daunting task. With changes in lifestyle, multiple sclerosis is also increasing in developing countries, which was earlier restricted to “white men”.

Referring to the 13th International Headache Conference in Stockholm, attended by 900 neurologists from around the world including Pakistan, Dr Prakash said that the paper he presented there focused on the fact that migraine is basically an abdominal disease, which can be treated within four months. He said since the last 300 years, Europe has been treating migraine with pain killers.Dr Prakash is treating around 100 chronic patients from Pakistan. He said that one of them is suffering from multiple sclerosis, whose allopathic treatment per month costs $1,000 as opposed to herbal treatment which costs less than $150. He claimed that the herbal medicine industry is worth $80 billion around the world in which India’s share stands at five per cent while Pakistan’s share is nil.Tracing the roots of ayurvedic treatment to Taxila in Pakistan six centuries ago, he said that Pakistan was the centre of this kind of treatment, as there were two colleges in Lahore long before the Partition while two other colleges in Multan and Rawalpindi were also functioning. In fact, his father, Vaidya Chandra Prakash, got his Hikmat degree from one of the colleges in Lahore in 1942.However, after Partition, herbal treatment suffered mainly due to lack of institutional support in Pakistan. In contrast, around 200 colleges were set up in India and the government increased the budgetary allocation for it this year. He believed that Hikmat has never been taken seriously in Pakistan and was not developed properly.

According to Dr Prakash, ayurvedic treatment can bring people of India and Pakistan closer. He said that it is the missing link for peace and harmony in the region.To a question, Dr Prakash, who also specialises in Rasa Shastra (metal therapy), said that health is not just about hygiene and bacteria. It also depends on getting proper sleep and one’s diet along with the level of physical activity that one indulges in.

Permalink | 36 Comments

36 Comments

SHARIQ KAHN

September 5, 2007 |11:42

Dear Sir,
i am suffring with Lukumia Blood cancer, i was treated from Rajiv Gandhi Cencer Hospital.
i was taken Gilvac-400 MG Medicine, for use after one now gilvec are not controling to cancer. sir can u help me please give me the anser.

Darshan Singh Bhullar

September 14, 2007 |17:19

Dear doctor,

It is D.S Bhullar from patiala (Punjab), a patient of Multiple Sclerosis.. In 2004 October,I was diagnosed M.S at Patiala.At that time I had a problem of blurred vision and seeing the figures.Then I was given Solumadrol(1 gm) for three days.I recovered somewhat, but in Dec 2004,again I had a problem of blurred vision,difficulty in speech and in walking. Then I was given Methotaxtate (5 mg) weekly.I recovered little bit.Then in March 2005,I again had a problem in walking,speech and vision.Then I was given 1 gm Solumadrol injection once in a month.In June 2005,the problem aggrevated and again I was given 1 gm Solumadrol for five days.Then I recovered somewhat and in October 2005,again the problem aggrevated and I was given Solumadrol for three days.Then I went to PGI in October 2005 and got admitted there under doctor S.Parbhakar and I was put on Rebif thrice weekly for a month.After that,one Rebif once a week and it continued for one and a half year.There I was declared secondary progressive M.S patient.In this period I never recovered fully.Again I got admitted to PGI in March 2007,with same symptoms and given 1 gm Solumadrol for three days and Rebif dose was also increased twice weekly for three months,but nothing tangible emerged.When I was taking Rebif,I was completely bed ridden for two days,I could not walk.Then in May 2007,again I was given 1 gm Solumadrol for three days and Rebif was stopped and the problem is continued till now.Now I am on 7.5 mg Methotraxtate weekly but the problem is increasing day by day and I am unable to walk.Will you please reply my email that what should I do? Is the Glatimer injection,which is the name of Copaxone in India suitable to me? Kindly give your phone number if possible.Now I am under the treatment of doctor Dheeraj Khurana of PGI. Can u help me? Is there any cure for this disease? If required we can also come to dehradun. Provide us your contact no. if any i shall be highly obliged
Thanks

MAHER ZAGHA

November 11, 2007 |18:33

Dear Doctor,

My son 15 years old was deaignosed with brain tumor ( Anaplastic Xanthoastrocytoma) which is grade III, after surgery he completed radiation and chemotheraby month ago, after new mri they found still some part still in his brain .
Need your advice if have ever treated with your herbal medicne

thanks

Muddasir from Pakistan.

November 29, 2007 |02:53

Dear Doctor,

My Mother is suffering from Blood Cancer(AML). It diagnosed on 22nd SEP 2007. Chemotherapy is going on and Its first cycle has been completed, but we are not satisfied from the treatment of allepethic. Its too expensive. I just want to know about the Herbal treatment. Our family is mentally disturbed. I''m from Pakistan, Karachi. I will be thankful to you If you guide me completely.

Thanks and Regards,
Muddasir Ahmed.

Mazhar

December 15, 2007 |00:49

Dear Doctor Prakash
Please tell us how to get an appointment with you as my wife is suffering from acute migraine.
My contact number is
00923219248603 and we are based in Karachi, Pakistan.

Manjit Otal

December 18, 2007 |04:32

I have been diagnosed with MS for almost a year now, and my condition is getting worse. Can you please recommend any treatment to help me get better. Thank-you!

ManjulaRani

December 20, 2007 |08:20

Sir,
my brother i law diagnosed with rectal cancer th stage, can you please recommend treatment for him.plese help us.

Thanks
Manjula

ManjulaRani

December 20, 2007 |08:21

Sir,
my brother in law diagnosed with rectal cancer 4th stage, can you please recommend treatment for him.please help us.

Thanks
Manjula

Abdul Matin

December 20, 2007 |16:09

Dear Vaidya Balendu Prakash,

I seek an appointment with you whenever you come to Abu Dhabi. Please provide your contact detail in Abu Dhabi so that I an fix an appointment.

With best regards
+97150-4578129… Mobile Phone

umaira tabassum

December 22, 2007 |17:03

Dear sir,
want to meet u regarding my aunts health,who is suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.
please inform me your availability.

thanx,
umaira

Mazda Naqvy

December 28, 2007 |15:17

Sir,
I have heard lots about you and your treatment for cancer. Kindly give me your contact details so that I can pass on the word to those who require your support and medication.

regards
Mazda

sohaib rafiq

January 1, 2008 |22:09

Hi,
I''m Sohaib Rafiq
I made a call yesterday and I''m mailing you as adviced.
I''d known through valid sources about your herbal cure for the desasterous disease of cancer.
My mother had suffered from this disease 5years ago in the right breast which was duely pealed off.She had chaemotherapy then radiations and was eating a tablet for the furthur cure.1year later she was again suspected of the same germ at a guilty near her neck so accordingly she had again gone through the course of chaemotherapy.After that now she is suspected to have that germ in lungs and liver which is not sure yet as the report of CT scan is not yet available.we have all the reports record from 2002 to 2007 which would be furvished upon request.this was a breif overview of what is actually the problem.Sir now she is suffering from breathing problem due to severe congestion and infilteration in lungs.her heart is working normally as the reports of ECG and ECO are normal.
The reports would be mailed to you tommorrow morning.
Name of the patient is RASHIDA RAFIQ
You would be receving some scanned medical reports tommorrow by email.
I would be grateful to you for your sincere concern.
Waiting eagerly for your prompt response.
Thanking you in anticepation
good bye!

pankaj

January 20, 2008 |13:09

I need an appointment for my brother brain cancer ( very low grade).
Pankaj

Please write to me at pbmd@rediffmail.com

adeeb

January 25, 2008 |03:39

Dr. Prakash I need your contact details please,
I need a help for my mother she was daiagnosed with grade IIIB cervical cancer.
my contact number 00966557211172

khalid majeed

February 9, 2008 |00:42

i have a request to every one whe see this site that i want to contect with Dr Vaidya Balendu Praksh for my treatment. i dont know how to contect him please help me to find the address and phone number of the dr i am very think full to you. i am writing this from pakistan please do it soon. write me on my e-mail dystrophy2001@hotmail.com

jyoti

February 15, 2008 |16:55

Dear sir,
my sister in law diagnosed with blood cancer 4th stage, can you please recommend treatment for him.please help us.

contact no
9818149860

adeeb

February 16, 2008 |00:50

Dr. Prakash I need your contact details please,
I need a help for my mother she was daiagnosed with grade IIIB cervical cancer.She may need a big surgery
my contact number 00966557211172
my email ingiri@hotmail.com

Lina Rubinshteyn

March 2, 2008 |08:49

Dear Dr. Parkash
I need your help. My husband was diagnosed with Colon cancer last month, he is in his first stage of chemo treatment. We would like to try other alterantive. I need your contact information. My contact information is 1-905-508-5885 it is in Toronto, Canada. Please help us.

maribel cruz

May 14, 2008 |18:42

dear sir, my brother diagnosed with liver cancer 4 stage,we would like to try other alternative meds. my email add.mhar 0420@yahoo.com.we need yu help.tnx

PUC SEKHAR

May 28, 2008 |10:35

Sir,

My father recently diagnosed Leukemia - AML. Please advise possibility of treatment in Ayurveda. I would like to contact you. Please extend your helping hand and advise. My Contact No. is 09346627157

With kind regards,

puc sekhar,
12-2-709/C/109,
Padmanabha Nagar Colony,
Mehdipatnam,
Hyderabad - 500028
India

muhammad Tariq

June 28, 2008 |11:55

Kindly send me your pakistan address

manav

July 9, 2008 |08:27

dear sir my nephew is suffering from lukemia , allopathic doctors have lost hope and have given up, but you are the only hope we have , kindly oblige by giving us an appointment, spoke to your assisstant and came to know that you are in mumbai, kindly help sir we are in big trouble
my number is 09926807711

Ilangovan

July 15, 2008 |11:10

My father is diagonised as stage 4 colon rectal cancer.Localised cancer is removed by surgery(In ascending Colon).But doctor said that it has spread to Liver(Both Lobs).Doctor refused to give chemo.Please advise me.My father age 67.Weight 54(Before surgery 63)..

Your contact details pls.

My mobile No : +919894351375

S. M. Husain

August 4, 2008 |22:40

S. M. Husain
44/8, Sheet # 12
Model Colony
Karachi-75100.
Pakistan

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would appreciate if you could please send me information/literature on Health/Fitness by mail at your earliest.

Kind regards,

Sincerely yours,

Husain

Daoud yassine

August 7, 2008 |21:44

Dr Vaidya Prakash Balendu
je voulais avoir un rendez vous avec vous, je suis malade du cancer d''estomac.
mes salutations meilleurs.

t yusuf

August 15, 2008 |00:03

i urgently need the contact detials of Dr Vaidya Prakash Balendu, my relative is seriously ill my contact id is tyusuf2000@hotmail.com
i am ontrio, Cananda

Sundeep Trackroo

September 15, 2008 |21:39

Sir,

kindly give ur address as well your mobile no as my Mother was operated in 2005 for cancer in food pipe now she has been dignosed again and going for radiotherpy kindly help me Sir with ur phone no and address.

sundeep

jassim mohammed hasan

September 26, 2008 |11:16

dear dr,
my brother suffering from blood cancer and his situatin very critical and we speak with you by telephone could you please inform us about your addrees in mombay and can we brought him to your hospital witwin the incomming few days please dr we need your help because there is no medicine here in iraq
thank you very much.

Madhvi

September 30, 2008 |16:19

Dr. Prakash I need your contact details please. My father is suffering from lung cancer with metasis to bones [detected in June 2008]. He has undergone radiotherpy and chemotherpy. but we see no improvement in his condition. He has become very weak. he cannot sit and walk. He is on oxygen and intermittenetly we use BIPAP also. Can you help us in any way. My contact details are. bhardwaj.madhvi@yahoo.co.uk, phone: 9811185020/ 0124-4295358
Madhvi

Madhvi

September 30, 2008 |16:21

Muhammad Pasha

October 4, 2008 |02:51

Hi Dr. Prakash,

My father has a liver cancer and heptitis C. He already had 3 TACE (chemo) but hasn''t made any difference and cancer is spreading. Is there any chance you could help. If so how can we cantact you for treatment. He lives in Pakistan.

Thanks.

anil agarwal

October 8, 2008 |23:37

sir ,

My newphew is suffering from chronic pancreatitis . I need to contact u immediately.
Please let me know how can i get an appointment with u . I reside in hyderabad .

Best Regards,
Anil

Haleema Ahmad Maneka

December 3, 2008 |13:52

My daughter Haleema ahmad who is 7 and a half years old is a CP child. We have gone through all the known therapies for her treatment but to no avail. If you can help in this regaurd i''ll be very grateful. Please do send me your email address. Thankyou!
P.S. i am from Pakistan.

Jharmal Singh

December 14, 2008 |21:26

My mother (50)have foodPipe Cancer. Now She have stunt in Food pipe . At Present ,she eat and drink a little bit, Her Right arm leave to do work, she is too much weak as like bundle of bones,Now she is taking Homeopathic, How she can Cure.Please help me
Jharmal Singh
42 Hardiayal Nagar
Jalandhar
098880 17080
jharmalsingh@gmail.com

radhika

March 12, 2009 |21:01

my mother is suffering with rectal cancer and she is 4th stage. it expensive to afford chemotherapy and radiotherapy and she doesn''t have stamina for such strong doses.Pls guide and help us for treatment asap. our family is under critical condition.Pls help asap.

Regards
Radhika
9391165373
secunderabad

Nadine

June 1, 2009 |22:30

Many people who commented here are requesting Vaidya Balendu Prakash''s contact information.

Here it is:
Address 48, Kandivli Industrial Estate,
Kandivli (West), Mumbai - 400 067, Maharashtra.
Tel. No. +91 (022) 6647 4444
Fax No. +91 (022) 2868 6613
E-mail padaav@gmail.com
You can also get more information at www.padaav.com.