An herbal Life Elixir

Chemo Radiation & Herbs

Chemotherapy and radiation therapies are designed to effectively kill cancer cells, but also destroy normal healthy cells in the process. As the normal and healthy cells are destroyed and as residues from the chemotherapy and radiation build up, patients often report a feeling of nausea, vomiting, hair loss, general weakness, and unexplained fatigue. Herbal medicine can without a doubt do, what western medicine is incapable of doing… strengthening the body system making it more adaptable and resilient, and to moderate or eliminate the side effects of chemo and radiation.

The advantage of including herbal medicines in a chemo and radiation treatment plan are several. First off, most herbalist treating cancer patients will most likely prescribe 1-2 dozen individual herbs to create a balanced and focused herbal formula that will work synergestically with the chemo and radiation treatment plan. Each herb will bring a unique curative property to the formula, the exact herb used will depend on the patient and the type of cancer being fought. For instance, a man who has prostate cancer and who also suffers from “hot flashes” would greatly benefit from cooling herbs that are either seeds or roots, AND which nourish the body’s vital substances AND contain phytoestrogens. Soy bean comes to mind, as does White Sage root and Cassia seeds.

Another great support herbal medicine can have with chemo and radiation treatment is to actively fight the actual cancer cells while supporting and nourishing the body. Using the same example from above, herbs such as bai hua she she cao can be added to the formula because it is very cool AND has shown direct anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Also, herbs that stimulate an immune response inside the patients body can also be used, such as Reishi mushroom. Reishi strongly stimulates natural killer cells inside the body, which search and destroy cancer cells.

So far, an herbal formula that strengthens the body making it more resilient, which also directly attacks the cancer cells, and signals the human body to use its own resources to attack the cancer cells has been created. No western medicine could possible do all this, just as no herb could do what chemo and radiation do.  But there is one more element to the treatment that herbs can provide, a way to detoxify residue from the chemo and radiation. Items such as mung beans, or sea vegetables can be added leach out toxic elements, lessening the unwated “side effects” associated with treatment.

So, herbal medicine COULD be considered a treatment in itself, because it addresses the cancer battle at every level… which chemo and radiation even do not. But, it would be advisable to take every option possible to give the patient and edge to beat cancer successfully. Of great importance, find physicians that CAN and are WILLING to work with holistic healers, and vice versa without getting ego involved. Its your health, its your choice… get as many opinions and perspectives  so you can rest just a little more comfortably at night.