When combined with standard cancer treatments, supplements and natural or alternative therapies — also called integrative medicine or complementary alternative medicine (CAM) — may help you achieve a better quality of life. It is common for people with lung cancer to combine cancer treatment and CAM. Although CAM cannot treat lung cancer, it may help you lessen the side effects of cancer treatment or manage lung cancer symptoms like pain, breathing difficulties, and low energy.

This article explores supplements and natural therapies used to help manage lung cancer symptoms and treatment side effects. Ask your doctor for medical advice before starting or continuing any type of supplement or CAM, as some natural therapies may have unwanted side effects or interfere with cancer treatments.

Supplements for Managing Lung Cancer Symptoms

Although dietary or herbal supplements cannot treat lung cancer, some options may help manage your symptoms or improve your sense of well-being. Make sure to talk with your doctor before using any supplements.

Supplements that can help manage lung cancer symptoms include astragalus, mistletoe, vitamin C, vitamin D, certain medicinal mushrooms, and other herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Astragalus

Studies from researchers in China suggest that astragalus, a Chinese medicinal herb, may help strengthen the immune system (the system that fights off infection and disease). Astragalus may also help improve your appetite, reduce nausea and vomiting, and lessen pain levels.

Mistletoe

In people with lung cancer, mistletoe (also called iscador) may help reduce side effects from chemotherapy, according to a 2013 study in the European Journal of Cancer.

Vitamin C

According to the National Cancer Center, vitamin C may help people with non-small cell lung cancer have better overall survival rates and experience fewer side effects from cancer treatment.

Vitamin D

People with lung cancer who consume higher levels of vitamin D and have higher levels of vitamin D in their blood have better outcomes, according to several studies in a 2017 analysis in the journal Oncotarget.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Certain types of medicinal mushrooms — specifically, turkey tail (also called Coriolus versicolor) and its extract, PSK — have been found to potentially help boost the immune system in people with lung cancer. They may also help enhance well-being, improve survival rates, or reduce symptoms from tumors.

Chinese Medicinal Herbs

Other supplements that may help manage lung cancer symptoms include American silvertop root, licorice root, poria, and yangzheng xiaoli.

American silvertop root (also called nan sha shen) may help relieve a dry cough. Licorice root (also called gan cao) and poria (also called fu ling) may help loosen phlegm in the lungs and airways. Poria may also help with better sleep. Yangzheng xiaoli may limit the spread of cancer cells. For some of these supplements, only animal studies or in vitro studies have provided evidence of their efficacy.

Alternative Therapies for Managing Lung Cancer Symptoms

Although they cannot treat lung cancer, some alternative therapies may help improve your mood and energy levels and reduce the physical and psychological side effects of cancer treatment. Alternative therapies may include acupuncture, aromatherapy, meditation, massage therapy, and low-impact exercises, such as yoga, qi gong, and tai chi. Talk with your doctor before starting alternative therapies or new exercise regimens to manage your lung cancer symptoms.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting thin needles into the skin at certain pressure points. When done by a licensed practitioner, acupuncture is generally safe. It may help relieve pain and nausea caused by chemotherapy drugs and improve overall well-being.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy, or using essential oils to improve well-being, may help ease nausea, boost your mood, or reduce stress. Aromatherapy has been shown to have few side effects when used appropriately, generally either through inhalation or diluted topical use.

Meditation

Meditation, or the practice of mindfulness and focusing on the present moment, can have many positive effects on your overall physical, mental, and emotional health, including easing muscle tension and reducing stress, anxiety, or depression.

Massage Therapy

When done by a trained professional, massage therapy may help ease anxiety or pain.

Low-Impact Exercise

A common side effect of cancer treatment is fatigue. Limited evidence suggests that low-impact exercise — specifically yoga, tai chi (a type of Chinese martial art made up of slow, controlled movements), or qi gong (a type of exercise from China that connects physical movements to controlled breathing) — may help people with lung cancer stay active and boost energy levels. Yoga, tai chi, and qi gong may also help reduce anxiety, improve sleep, ease chronic (long-term) pain, or reduce nausea from chemotherapy.

Potential Risks of Using Supplements or Alternative Therapies With Lung Cancer

There are several possible risks of using supplements or alternative therapies to manage lung cancer symptoms. Many supplements contain a variety of ingredients that may interfere with cancer treatment. Additionally, supplements do not have to undergo testing from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before being sold online or in stores. This means supplements may contain ingredients that are not listed on the package. Also, the label may not list how much of each ingredient is in the product or may include false claims. This means supplements may interfere with medications or may provide too much or too little of a particular ingredient.

Because something is natural, it does not always mean it is safe. For example, people who smoke and take beta-carotene or retinol (types of vitamin A) supplements can raise their chances of developing lung cancer. Supplements that are high in antioxidants (substances that prevent or slow damage to the cells) may affect how radiation works. Even low-impact exercise may affect your breathing.

Can Supplements or Natural Therapies Treat Lung Cancer?

No, supplements or natural therapies cannot be used to treat lung cancer. Only certain drugs and procedures approved by the FDA for medical treatment can be used to treat cancer. Many claims made about alternative therapies or listed on supplement packaging are not supported by strong scientific data from clinical trials.

With your doctor’s guidance, certain supplements or alternative therapies may be used alongside cancer treatments. Some supplements or alternative therapies, however, may be harmful to you. They may also affect how well your standard cancer treatment works.

What To Keep in Mind Before Using Supplements or Alternative Therapies

If you want to use dietary or herbal supplements to manage your lung cancer symptoms, talk with your doctor (and, if you have one, a registered dietitian). Everyone on your care team has your best interests in mind and needs to know all the medications, supplements, and therapies you are using. Having this information helps ensure your cancer treatment works well with as few side effects as possible.

If your current care team is not open to discussing supplements or alternative therapies, find a doctor who is or ask for a second opinion.

A common side effect of cancer treatment is nausea, which can make it challenging to eat a healthy diet. A registered dietitian can adjust your diet to ensure you are getting enough nutrients. If needed, a registered dietitian can also recommend supplements that work well with your cancer treatment.

Find Your Team

Navigating life with lung cancer is a challenge, but you’re not alone. MyLungCancerTeam is the social network and online support group for people living with lung cancer. Here, a growing community of members from around the world come together to ask questions, offer support and advice, and share stories with others who understand life with lung cancer.

Have you tried a supplement or alternative therapy to manage your lung cancer symptoms? How did you start the conversation with your doctor? Share your experience in the comments below or by posting on MyLungCancerTeam.