Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases of the century. Though a lot is known
about its pathogenesis, a cure for the disease is not yet available. The present therapies
for cancer lack specificity and show various toxicities. Ayurveda is one of the oldest
traditional systems of medicine along with the Chinese system of medicine, Siddha,
and Unani. Cancer has been described as clinical entities arbuda and granthi in the
famous ayurvedic text Sushrutha samhita centuries before the detection of cancer by
modern medicine. In this chapter, we discuss the phytoconstituents of medicinal plants
with anticancer properties as described in Ayurveda from ethnopharmacology and
experimental pharmacology perspective. The chapter summarizes and emphasizes the
importance of Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine in the treatment of cancer.
Keywords: Ayurveda, Ayurvedic formulation, cancer, natural compounds,
extract, plant, phytopharmacology.
