Mr. Deep Thakur’s Silent Battle with Oral Cancer During COVID-19
This is a true story of Mr. Deep Thakur, a resident near Jorhat town, Assam. After retiring at 60 from teaching profession, he looked forward to peace and good health. But life took an unexpected turn when he developed oral health issues during the COVID-19 lockdown. With hospitals overwhelmed and movement restricted, he was advised to try a simple natural remedy using Sharifa (also called Sitafal in Hindi) leaves. His experience revealed unexpected Sharifa leaves benefits, which he believes helped him to control his condition until he received proper medical treatment.
Early Struggles and a Simple Lemon Remedy
Due to lockdowns and restrictions, getting medical help was very difficult. He finally managed to meet a local doctor in the nearby town. The doctor prescribed him medication and advised to take another simple natural remedy:
> “Boil one whole lemon in water and eat it completely — peel, seeds, everything — once a day.”
Mr. Thakur followed the advice of the doctor faithfully. Still, his condition did not improve significantly. When he tried to follow up with the doctor, a new challenge arose.
Public transport had been withdrawn. Though Mr. Thakur owned a private car, he couldn’t use it as he didn’t know how to drive. Moreover, his regular drivers were unavailable during the lockdown. He tried to hire a private vehicle, but due to travel restrictions and widespread fear of infection, he couldn’t find one.
Eventually, he managed to visit the doctor in person. The doctor was also dealing with COVID-related challenges. He was unable to attend his clinic regularly. Nevertheless, he examined him carefully, prescribed some medicines, and suggested another traditional home remedy:
> “Boil Sharifa (custard apple) leaves in one liter of water. Reduce it to half a liter and drink it every day.”
A Natural Support: Sharifa Leaves Benefits
At a time when proper medical care was hard to get, Mr. Thakur found some comfort in following this advice and drank the boiled Sharifa leaf water daily.
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In traditional remedies, Sharifa or Sitafal leaves are believed to offer several health benefits:
Anti-inflammatory properties – The anti-inflammatory properties may help soothe pain and swelling.
Rich in antioxidants – The anti oxidants help to neutralize harmful free radicals.
Potential anti-cancer compounds – Some studies like NIH publication on Annona extracts suggest that acetogenins in the leaves may slow the growth of certain cancer cells.
Supports immunity – The fruits and leaves of Sharif may strengthen the body’s natural defense system.
It is not a replacement for modern treatment. Such remedies may support the body’s healing process — especially when medical access is limited.
Moving Toward Recovery
As the COVID-19 situation slowly improved and restrictions eased, Mr. Thakur was finally able to visit the doctor again in person. After a detailed check-up, the doctor referred him to the North East Cancer Institute, Guwahati. There, he was diagnosed with oral cancer.
A Tough Battle — and a Full Recovery
Though the diagnosis was serious, treatment began right away. Over a period of 6 months to a year, Mr. Thakur underwent therapies, follow-ups, and recovery care. Thankfully, the treatment worked — and he was fully cured.
Looking Back: A Lesson in Patience and Hope
Now when Mr. Thakur looks back at that time, he reflects:
> “Because of COVID, I couldn’t get proper treatment on time. But I believe taking Sharifa leaf water every day helped to slow down the spreading of the disease.”
Later, with growing interest, he began researching Sharifa leaves and sourced better quality ones from trusted local trees. He now encourages others to learn about Sharifa leaves benefits as a form of natural support — not as a cure, but as a gentle aid during times of need.
Final Thoughts
Mr. Thakur’s story is not just about illness and recovery. It’s about resilience, self-care, and nature’s quiet support when everything else feels out of reach.
His experience reminds us that even during a health crisis, a mix of medical advice, natural remedies, and personal discipline can make a meaningful difference.
