Our breath is life itself. We take thousands of breaths daily without giving a single thought. But when the lungs are unhealthy, every breath is a task. Let’s discover today how the age-old knowledge of Ayurveda can teach us to understand and help keep our respiratory system in perfect health, particularly regarding lung cancer.
What does Ayurveda teach us about healthy lungs?
Ayurveda considers the lungs not breathing organs but rather the dwelling place of ‘Prana’—our life force or vital energy. Texts in Ayurvedic medicine describe that the sound health of the lungs depends on three vital energies or doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which correspond to air, fire, and earth-water.
In Ayurveda, lung diseases are believed to occur because of imbalances of these energies. Excessive Kapha leads to congestion with heavy breathing, and too much Vata irritates the airway by making it dry. Pitaa-related imbalances cause inflammation in the body.
How does Ayurveda view lung cancer differently than modern medicine?
Modern medical thought of the disease as overgrowth in lung tissue as cancer, but the Ayurvedic perspective differs. It sees cancer, or ‘Arbuda,’ as a profound imbalance in the body’s systems. This doesn’t contradict modern medical understanding—instead, it adds another layer of understanding that can help support treatment.
Lung cancer will appear due to long-term disturbance in natural harmony along with exposure to harmful products. Due to smoking and air pollution, modern science confirms this is indeed the case; Ayurveda says so.
What are the warning signs of lung disorder, according to Ayurveda?
Early signs are to be identified. According to Ayurveda, they appear very early in the process before such severe disorders appear:
Warning signs for Lung Disorder:
- Constant coughing or throat-clearing
- Lack of breathing deeply
- Excess mucus production
- Fatigue and low energy
- Poor appetite
- Changes in voice
- Chest discomfort
- Sleep disturbances
- Weak immunity
- Mental fog or confusion
How can Ayurvedic practices help with lung health and cancer treatment?
Ayurveda has several practices that can complement modern medical treatment. Remember, these are not replacements for medical care but supportive practices that might help:
Key Ayurvedic Approaches:
- Pranayama (breathing exercises)
- Herbal supplements and teas
- Dietary modifications
- Lifestyle changes
- Yoga poses for lung health
- Meditation practices
- Oil pulling
- Steam inhalation
- Nasal cleansing
- Body cleansing practices
What herbs does Ayurveda recommend for respiratory health?
Ayurvedic medicine uses many herbs that promote lung health. Recently, research has proven that most of these ancient remedies are correct. Tulsi, or Holy Basil, has been demonstrated in the laboratory to reduce inflammation. Licorice and ginger can also reduce inflammation.
Then, if you are taking some treatments for cancer, then you should seek your doctor’s approval since some herbs can affect chemotherapy or any other medication.
How does Ayurveda look at diets that may be healthy for the lungs?
As indicated in Ayurveda, diet is significant in maintaining lung health. Some foods are thought to promote lung function, and others are considered harmful. Light, warm, easily digestible foods are mostly encouraged. Foods high in prana, like fresh fruits and vegetables, are highly valued.
Ayurveda also advises avoiding foods that increase mucus production or cause inflammation. These include too much dairy, cold foods, and processed foods. Modern nutritional science supports many of these recommendations, including emphasizing fresh, whole foods and limiting processed foods.
What breathing practices can help support lung health?
A foundation stone for Ayurvedic respiratory health is Pranayama or controlled breathing exercises. These aren’t some age-old practices but have been researched more lately. Studies show controlled breathing enhances lung function, decreases stress levels, and improves body oxygenation.
Some simple practices, such as deep belly breathing or alternate nostril breathing, may prove especially helpful. These are safe for most people and can be done even during cancer treatment; however, it is always best to consult your healthcare team first.
How Do Rasa Bhasmas and Rasa Sindhuras Help In Lung Cancer Treatment?
What are Rasa Bhasmas and Rasa Sindhuras?
Rasa Bhasmas and Rasa Sindhuras are preparations made from purified metals and minerals. Consider powdered preparations made with an extended procedure that can take days or even months to prepare. Such drugs have been used in India for several centuries in treating diseases ranging from cancer to common ones.
The Making of These Special Medicines
This is like cooking these medicines but much more elaborate. Metals and minerals undergo many purification steps. They are put through heat and cool cycles, mixed with various juices of special herbs, and then ground to a fine pulp. This process makes them safe and helps our bodies absorb them better. An important point to note here is that these are not just any raw metals; they transform entirely into medicines through such a process.
How They Work in Lung Cancer
When a person has lung cancer, these drugs help the body in different ways. First, they can help reduce the growth of cancer cells. Some research shows that they might even make cancer cells die naturally. They also help boost our body’s defense system, making it stronger to fight against cancer.
Benefits Beyond Fighting Cancer
These medicines do not just fight cancer-they help in other ways too. They can help people breathe better, reduce coughing, and give them more energy. Many patients also claim that they feel less pain when taking such medicines. They can help people feel hungrier and sleep better, which is crucial when fighting cancer.
Safety and Proper Use
These medicines should not be consumed without prior consultation. They know to the penny how much to offer and when to tender it. These medicines are powerful; like any strong medicine, they must be used correctly to be safe and helpful.
Working with Modern Treatment
These Ayurvedic medicines can be taken along with modern cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. Many doctors have found that patients who take these medicines and their regular cancer treatment feel better and can tolerate the treatment better. However, it is essential to inform your regular and Ayurvedic doctors about all the medicines you are taking.
Looking to the Future
Scientists are studying these ancient medicines with modern technology to understand how they work and how they may be used better. With more research, however, the initial results give new hope to lung cancer patients. When applied appropriately under proper guidance, these traditional medicines might be a new hope for beating lung cancer.
How do we integrate Ayurvedic wisdom into modern cancer treatment?
It is integration. The essential treatments for lung cancer would be chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. Ayurvedic practices can support care in managing side effects and improving quality of life.
For example, gentle yoga poses may help maintain flexibility and reduce stress during treatment. Breathing exercises may help maintain lung capacity, and dietary recommendations may help maintain strength.
What can we do to keep our spirits healthy while being treated for lung cancer?
Ayurveda believes in a deep connection between one’s emotional balance and overall system. Emotional problems like stress, anxiety, and depression cause disease patterns in a man’s system, which may adversely affect and even cause breathing. Meditation, simple yoga, and walking under the sun or in nature create one’s emotional balance.
What can we derive from such a combination of old and new approaches?
What we find beautiful is how each contributes uniquely to strengthening the other’s shortcomings. Modern medicine presents potent remedies for cancerous diseases. Ayurveda, with its age-old techniques for healthy living, makes things possible.
Together, they can provide a much more complete approach to health: one that treats not just the disease but the whole person. This, particularly in lung cancer, is not less important than fighting and trying to win against such a deadly disease.
Conclusion:
Remember that Ayurvedic practice, though beneficial on its merit, should in no way replace modern, scientific care for lung cancer. Your primary healthcare team needs to form a plan with your integrated health team.
It is the care of our lungs, hence the care for our life force. Whether modern medicine or ancient wisdom, the goal has been the same: to help people breathe a little easier and live better even in the face of serious illness.
REFERENCES:
https://www.kleayurworld.edu.in/respiratory-clinic/