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  2. Volume 2 I Issue 2 [April To June]
  3. ROLE OF AYURVEDA IN PALLIATIVE CARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW
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Dr. Abhay Gandhi

ROLE OF AYURVEDA IN PALLIATIVE CARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Introduction: Palliative care is a multidisciplinary approach that aims to relieve suffering, improve quality of life, and provide holistic support for patients with life-limiting illnesses such as cancer, advanced neurological disorders, and chronic organ failure. Despite advancements in modern palliative care, many patients face unmet needs in symptom management, psychological support, and spiritual care. Ayurveda, with its holistic philosophy, offers therapeutic and supportive interventions that may complement contemporary palliative care. Methods: A structured review was conducted using classical Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya) and modern scientific databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, AYUSH Research Portal, Google Scholar). Keywords included “Ayurveda,” “palliative care,” “quality of life,” and “end-of-life care.” Peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and observational studies published between 2000–2025 were included. Non-peer-reviewed sources and anecdotal evidence were excluded. Results: Ayurveda provides several strategies relevant to palliative care, including Shamana Chikitsa (palliative therapies), Rasayana (rejuvenative therapy), Sadvritta (ethical and spiritual guidelines), diet and lifestyle interventions, and mind–body practices such as yoga and meditation. Clinical studies suggest Ayurvedic formulations like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), and Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) improve fatigue, anxiety, sleep, and overall well-being in cancer and geriatric patients. Panchakarma and supportive therapies such as Abhyanga (massage) and Shirodhara (oil streaming) have demonstrated benefits in pain relief, stress reduction, and psychological comfort. Discussion: Ayurvedic approaches show promise as supportive modalities in palliative care, particularly in improving patient-reported outcomes. However, limitations include lack of large-scale clinical trials, need for standardization, and integration barriers within healthcare systems. Conclusion: Ayurveda has significant potential to enhance palliative care and improve quality of life. Integrative models combining modern medicine with Ayurvedic practices could address physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of end-of-life care.

KEYWORDS: Ayurveda, Integrative Medicine, Palliative Care, Quality of Life, Rasayana