Ayurveda is all about food, which doesn’t fill only the belly; it’s medicine for the body and soul. That becomes even more crucial when somebody is under cancer treatment. Rasayana focuses on rejuvenation and healing. Diet or ‘pathyam’ is the prime focus of Rasayana Ayurveda. So, let’s understand what to eat and what to avoid during this healing journey.
What is Pathyam, and why is it important during cancer treatment?
The diet is followed to make the medication effective and enhance healing. It can be imagined as preparing good soil for plants to flourish. The ideal diet prepares the best environment inside the body for healing. Pathyam is your silent assistant during cancer treatment, working hand in hand with medicines to strengthen you.
According to Ayurveda, wrong food habits create ‘ama’ in your digestive system. This ama is toxic, and it makes disease management more challenging. Following pathyam reduces these toxins and boosts the body’s natural healing power.
What makes a diet Satvik, and why is it recommended during cancer treatment?
Satvik food is pure, light, and full of life energy (prana). Unlike those heavy or processed foods that can drain the energy from you or make you feel dull and tired, satvik food gives you energy and accelerates healing. So here is what makes food satvik:
Recommended Satvik Foods:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains like rice, wheat, and barley
- Lentils and pulses
- Fresh dairy products
- Nuts and seeds
- Honey
- Fresh herbs and mild spices
- Pure ghee
Foods to Avoid:
- Processed and packaged foods
- Stale food
- Over-spiced, sour, or salty foods
- Meat and fish
- Alcoholic drinks
- Caffeine
- Fried foods
- Refined sugars
Which of the cooking methods should we adopt during cancer treatment?
Understand that the way we cook our food is as important as our food choice. So, Ayurveda suggests gentle cooking methods which can preserve the ‘prana’ of the food. Steaming, boiling, and light sautéing in ghee are best. Avoid deep frying or overcooking, which kills nutrition.
Cook fresh food and consume it warm. You should never reheat food multiple times or store it for too long. If you cook with love and positive thought, it becomes more nourishing – that’s not just tradition but about creating healing energy inside your food.
How do the ‘Shad Rasa Concept,’ the six tastes, contribute to a cancer treatment diet?
Ayurveda always talks about six tastes, and that concept is named ‘Shad Rasa.’ They are;
- Sweet
- Sour
- Salty
- Spicy
- Bitter
- Astringent
All these tastes need to be balanced closely during cancer treatment.
Sweet taste (not sugar, but natural sweetness like rice, milk, or fruits) should be predominant, as it gives strength. The bitter and astringent tastes of vegetables help fight cancer cells.
Try to consume all six tastes altogether, but focus on sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes more. Avoid sour, salty, and very spicy food because they enhance inflammation in the body.
What would be our daily meal planning during treatment?
The critical thing in Ayurveda is the timing and quantity of meals. The best mealtime is noon when the sun is most vital and your digestion is the strongest. Keep dinner light and early. Here’s a simple daily plan:
- Morning: Start with warm water or herbal tea. Have a light breakfast of porridge or fruits.
- Noon: Main meal with rice or chapati, lentils, vegetables, and buttermilk.
- Evening: Any light meal, like soup or khichdi with vegetables.
Be sure to eat all meals and avoid overeating. Generally, eat only when hungry and stop before you feel overfull.
Which herbs and spices for cancer treatment do we use?
Ayurveda has advocated many herbs and spices that has to be included in the daily diet, as given below:
- Turmeric- Anti-cancer herb- a powerhouse
- Ginger- To avoid nausea and it serves as an anti-diarrhea herb
- Tulsi (Holy Basil)- Boosts immunity, the herb that reduces stress.
- Cumin – Increases digestion and gives a flavor.
- Coriander – It cools the body and adds nutrients.
(They say all good things must come to an end) Use those in moderation – all that’s good in excess isn’t good, even if it is beneficial.
What do we need to know about hydration during treatment?
While water is an important component in cancer treatment, its intonation and timing are also important. If water must be drunk, it should always have been boiled and cooled to room temperature.
Avoid ice-cold water because it weakens digestion. Copper-purified water (stored overnight in a copper vessel) is very beneficial. Drink water between meals rather than during meals. This helps maintain good digestion.
Start your day with warm water, and sip water throughout the day rather than drinking large quantities at once.
How can seasonal changes affect our diet during treatment?
Ayurveda firmly believes in seasonal intake of foodstuffs (ritucharya). During summer, cool down with more watermelons, cucumbers, and coconut water. In winter, have warm foods like soups and hot beverages. In monsoon, take special precautions about food hygiene, avoid raw foods, and so on.
What about the emotional and psychological aspects of diet while undergoing cancer treatment?
In Ayurveda, your state of mind is crucial while eating. Therefore, one must eat in a calm environment and focus on the food while eating.
Avoid watching TV or using phones while eating. Feel grateful for your food, and try to eat positively. This helps better digestion and absorption of nutrients.
Conclusion:
Ayurvedic special diets aren’t all about avoiding—they’re also about feeding the body and supportive care. No two people are alike, so consult with an Ayurvedic physician and tailor these recommendations to your body’s specific needs and condition.
Always notify your Ayurvedic physician and oncologist of dietary plans. They can help you in developing a balanced approach that combines the best of conventional wisdom and medical care. With proper pathyam, your body is supported to heal and recover.