Ayurvedic diet for lung cancer

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung Cancer is a type of cancer that originates in the lungs, which are crucial for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide. As one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, it affects individuals of all ages, though it is more prevalent in older adults. For those seeking complementary approaches to support their health during treatment, exploring an Ayurvedic diet for lung cancer may offer beneficial insights. Ayurveda emphasizes balanced nutrition and holistic care, which could play a supportive role in managing the disease and improving overall well-being.

There are two types of Lung Cancer:
1) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC):Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and accounts for almost 85% of lung cancer cases. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) includes further subtypes such as adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma.
2) Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC):Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) is less common type of lung cancer and accounts for almost 15% of lung cancer cases. Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) tends to grow and spread more rapidly than Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

2) What is Ayurvedic Diet?

An Ayurvedic Diet is a type of approach that is based on principle’s laid down by great Ayurvedic sages through their vast understanding of the nature, and the importance of sharirik and mansik prakriti of an individual. Ayurveda strongly preaches and emphasizes that health of an individual depends on balance between mind, body, and spirit. As per Ayurveda, each individual has unique composition of doshas and so a tailor made Ayurvedic diet plan is advised to promote health and well-being in lung cancer patients.

Key principles of Ayurvedic Diet

a) Personalized Nutrition:
Ayurveda strongly believes and preaches that diet plan should be customized as per an individual composition of doshas. Normally the diet is composed of food that pacifies the dominant doshas in an individual. And in an individual who are suffering from a disease, the dominant causative dosha and diet chart is planned accordingly.
b) Seasonal Eating:
Ayurveda strongly believes that foods that are in season should always be preferred in individual’s daily diet. Seasonal foods are to be believed in the harmony with nature’s cycles.
c) Mindful Eating:
Ayurveda strongly preaches that eating in calm and pleasant environment is important for healthy life. Food should be chewed thoroughly and process of chewing should be enjoyed.
d) Six Tastes in Every Meal:
There are six rasas mentioned in Ayurveda and it is mentioned accordingly: 1) Madhur (Sweet). 2) Amla (Sour). 3) Lavana (Salty).4) Tiktha (Bitter). 5) Katu (Pungent), and Kashay (Astringent). A soundful meal should contain all the six rasas.

3) Ayurvedic diet for lung cancer

As mentioned in Ayurvedic texts, Lung Cancer is a disease of Fuffus (फुफ्फुस) or Lung. Fuffus (फुफ्फुस) or Lung is prominently affected by Vata and Kapha Dosha. So an Ayurvedic Diet for Lung Cancer Patients should include of meals that does not vitiate Vata and Kapha Dosha that too prominently Kapha Dosha. Certain diet that can be advised to lung cancer patients are:

1) To avoid Madhur Rasa (Sweet) and Amla Rasa (Sour)

Lung Cancer patients should prominently avoid excessive consumption of Madhur Rasa (Sweet) and Amla Rasa (Sour). As both the rasas helps to vitiate Kapha Dosha, so a diet or food for lung cancer should include rasas that keeps Kapha Dosha under control.

Rasas like Tiktha (Bitter), Katu (Pungent), and Kashay (Astringent) helps to ameliorate kapha dosha and helps to benefit Lung Cancer Patients. Lung Cancer Patients are mostly afflicted with diseases like Shwaas and Kaas, Prominently Kapha Dosha and Vata Dosha are involved in the pathogenesis of Shwaas and Kaas,

But it should also be noted that Lung Cancer patients who have lost weight or are emaciated should first focus on gaining more weight. For that the patient will have to consume rasas which are Parthiv Mahabhuta Pradhana. So consequently he will to consume Madhur Rasa.

2) To include certain spices in your daily diet of lung cancer patients

Diet of lung cancer should include prakshepa dravya or spices like Shunthi (Zingiber officinale Roxb.), Maricha (Piper nigrum Linn.), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica Linn.) etc. This Prakshapa Dravya’s are prominently Agni Mahabbhuta Pradhana and helps to ameliorate Kapha Dosha. This dravya’s helps to boost the Agni, and so the digestive power of lung cancer patients, Uttam Agni proves extremely beneficial in lung cancer patients. This dravya’s can improve Shwaas and Kaas symptoms of lung cancer patients. But it should also be noted not to consume excessive amount of this prakshepa dravya or spices either it can lead to vitiation of Pitta Dosha and further lead to other ailments.

3) To incorporate immune boosting food in your daily diet

Daily diets of lung cancer patients should be rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins, and minerals that helps to boost and strengthen the immune system. Certain Ayurvedic formulations like Kushmanda Avaleha and Chywanprash Avaleha can be incorporated in daily diet of lung cancer patients. This helps to boost the immunity and enhance the mental and physical well-being of lung cancer patients.

Kushmanda Avaleha in Lung Cancer Patients

Kushmanda Avaleha is traditional Ayurvedic formulation that has been advised by Ayurvedic Vaidya’s for multiple ailments since ages. Kushmanda Avaleha helps to strengthen the digestive system and enhance the immunity of lung cancer patients.

Kushmanda Avaleha consists of various natural ingredients like Ash Gourd (Benincasa hispida). Ash Gourd is the main component of Kushmanda Avaleha and is also known as winter melon or “Kushmanda” in Sanskrit. Health benefits of Kushmanda Avaleha is mentioned further:

a) Digestive Health in Cancer Patients:
Kushmanda Avaleha helps to improve digestion and reduces constipation in lung cancer patients.
b) Energy Booster in Cancer Patients:
Kushmanda Avaleha helps to boost the immunity and energy levels in lung cancer patients.
c) Respiratory Support in Cancer Patients:
Kushmanda Avaleha helps to support the respiratory system of lung cancer patients and proves beneficial in multiple health issues like cough, bronchitis etc. of lung cancer patients.

a) Turmeric (Haldi):
Turmeric in anti-inflammatory and helps to boost immunity and inflammation in lung cancer patients.

b) Ginger (Adrak):
Ginger helps to support digestion and clear respiratory secretions in lung cancer patients.
c) Honey:
Honey is a natural expectorant and helps to improve throat and respiratory system secretions.
d) Pomegranate (Anar):
Pomegranate is rich in anti-oxidants and support overall health and immune system of lung cancer patients.

About Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’

Our Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’ consists of Ayurvedic practitioners who are dedicated to providing patients with the best possible care for cancer. We at Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’ believe that Ayurveda can complement modern medicine and provide patients with a more comprehensive approach to their care. Our personalized approach to treatment, extensive knowledge of Ayurvedic herbs, use of Panchakarma, and modern parameters make us one of the most dynamic teams of Ayurvedic cancer experts in Mumbai.

We at Team ‘Cancer In Ayurveda’ are committed to helping patients manage their condition effectively and provide them with the support and guidance they need throughout the process.