"What Are the Herbal Dietary Recommendations for Nasopharyngeal Cancer?"

Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Symptoms and Dietary Therapy

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma generally have no conscious symptoms in the early stage, with only a few experiencing nasal congestion, runny nose with blood, unilateral headache, tinnitus, and other symptoms. In the late stage, when the tumor invades the brain, it can lead to tinnitus, hearing loss, nosebleeds, diplopia, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and hard masses.

Principles of Medicinal Diet

Promote nasal passage clearance, detoxify, eliminate phlegm, and disperse nodules. In cases of bleeding, hemostatic foods can be added.

Commonly Used Medicinal Ingredients and Foods

Mao Gen juice, reed rhizome, sweet almonds, dried rehmannia root, Solomon's seal rhizome, red dates, chestnuts, fresh snail meat, mung bean water, water chestnuts, white radish, pears, citrus fruits, hawthorns, carp, etc.

Medicinal Diet Recipes

1. Solomon's Seal Rhizome and Dried Rehmannia Root with Mung Bean Soup: Wrap 12g of Solomon's seal rhizome and 15g of dried rehmannia root in gauze, along with 100g of mung beans; add an appropriate amount of water and cook until the mung beans are tender. Remove the medicinal residue, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar, pour in 10g of pollen, and consume in portions. This soup has the effects of clearing the throat, moistening the throat, eliminating phlegm and nodules, clearing heat and detoxifying, cooling the blood, and promoting the production of saliva. It is suitable for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with runny noses, bleeding, headaches, or dry mouth due to radiotherapy; however, it is not suitable for those with cold spleen and stomach.

2. Olive and Siraitia Grosvenorii Soup: Use 30g of olives and one Siraitia grosvenorii fruit; place both ingredients in a pot, add water, boil, and drink the resulting infusion. This soup has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, soothing the throat, and resolving phlegm.

3. Astragalus and Duck Stew: Stew 15g of astragalus and 200g of duck until tender. This dish has the effects of replenishing the middle and invigorating qi, nourishing yin, and nourishing the stomach; it is suitable for those with deficiency of both qi and yin; however, it is not suitable for those with loose stools.

4. Yam and Pork Slices: Cook 50g of yam and 100g of lean pork slices with seasonings and fry them. This dish has the effect of strengthening the spleen and nourishing the body. It is suitable for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who feel weak and have loose stools.

5. Mao Gen and Reed Rhizome Tea: Brew 30g of fresh Mao Gen and fresh reed rhizome as a substitute for tea. This tea has the effects of cooling the blood, stopping bleeding, clearing heat, promoting the production of saliva, and promoting urination. It is most suitable for those with heat in the qi and blood and insufficient yin and body fluids; however, it is not suitable for those with cold spleen and stomach.