Alternative Treatments for Lung Cancer

The people who want to avoid the risk of surgery and complications of other treatments move towards the alternative treatments for lung cancer. Alternative treatments for lung cancer are safer and cost effective. Some of the alternative treatments for lung cancer include:

Herbs

Herbs help to inhibit tumor growth, cleanse the body and strengthen body’s systems. Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, pills, powders), tinctures (alcohol extracts) and teas. For making teas, take 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. For leaf or flower cover it and steep for 5-10 minutes and for roots cover it and steep for 20 minutes. Drink 3-4 cups of any of these teas per day.

• Green Tea: Take 250 - 500 mg standardized extract of green tea once a day for its anticancer, antioxidant and immune effects. Tea may also be prepared from the leaf of this herb.
• Turmeric: Take 500 mg standardized extract of turmeric four times a day for its anticancer effects.
• Olive Leaf: Take 250-500 mg standardized extract of olive leaf one to three times a day for its anticancer and immune effects.
• Ginkgo Biloba: Take 120 mg standardized extract of ginkgo biloba two times a day.
• Reishi Mushroom: Take 150-300 mg standardized extract of reishi mushroom two to three times a day for its anticancer and immune effects. You can also take 30-60 drops of mushroom extract tincture two to three times a day.

Nutritional Supplements

Eat the foods rich in vitamin B and iron like leafy vegetables (kale, spinach) and whole. Increase the intake of yellow, orange and dark green vegetables. Also include onions, broccoli, dark berries, blueberries, cherries, cabbage and sprouts in your diet. Avoid refined foods like pastas, white breads. Eliminate alcohol, sugar, caffeine, dairy products and tobacco. Some of the nutritional supplements for lung cancer include:

• Melatonin: Taking 10 mg of melatonin every day may be beneficial in improving the survival rate in case of non-small cell lung cancers.
• Multivitamin: Take multivitamin supplement containing vitamins A, C, E, B-complex and trace minerals like selenium magnesium, calcium and zinc.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Cold-water fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. These are also present in fish oil. Taking 1 tbsp of fish oil 1-2 times a day may help to decrease inflammation.
• Bromelain: Take 250-500 mg of bromelain supplements between the meals.
• Alpha-lipoic Acid: taking 25-50 mg of alpha-lipoic acid two times a day gives antioxidant support.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles on skin to stimulate the certain anatomic points in the body. Acupuncture is considered to be a valuable alternative treatment for reducing the symptoms like nausea and vomiting, which are often accompanied after chemotherapy. It also helps to reduce the symptoms like shortness of breath and pain. Acupuncture is provided either after the completion of other conventional medical therapies or during chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Treatment of lung cancer is done on the basis of deficiencies and excesses of qi located in various meridians.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy alternative treatment involves certain procedures or treatments to support the overall health of a person during lung cancer. Homeopathic remedies may help to reduce the symptoms, decrease the side effects of treatments and reduce the effects of stress during cancer.

Physical Medicine

Placing a castor oil pack over the lungs may help to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy thus helping the lungs in detoxification. Saturate a clean cloth with castor oil and place it directly on the lungs. Place a heating pad or water bottle on its top. Keep it for about 30 minutes. Repeat this for 3-4 consecutive days per week for better results. You can even use it daily.