Combat The Side Effects of
Chemotherapy With Herbal Remedies
Cancer patients may experience a whole host of negative side
effects that come as a result of radiation and
chemotherapy.
Common side effects include vomiting, nausea, and loss of
appetite, diarrhea, hair loss, intense fatigue, anemia, mouth
ulcers, depression, yeast infections, pain, insomnia and
anxiety.
These are common side effects of radiation, which are
tumor-killing x-rays, and chemotherapy, which are tumor-killing
medications.
Most cancer patients become very ill with some or all of
these side effects as a result of chemotherapy and
radiation.
Fortunately, there are a lot of herbal remedies now
currently in use that can help patients get a handle on these
often-difficult to manage side effects of cancer treatment.
Some alternative remedies may even help improve the overall
effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation. Here are a few
well-regarded herbal remedies that can help limit the side
effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
Maitake: This powerful mushroom hails from
Japan, where it is consumed for many of its healing properties
as well as its flavor. The maitake mushroom contains a food
chemical known as beta-glucan.
Beta-glucan is known for its ability to help control nausea,
sharpen the appetite, and help boost the low energy reserves
that most cancer patients experience. The maitake mushroom can
also help strengthen the immune system’s white blood cells that
can help the body fight cancer cells.
Many herbalists and naturopath doctors believe that an
extract of beta-glucan from the mistake mushroom is one of the
best herbal remedies to help control the side effects of
conventional cancer treatments. Most herbalists and naturopath
doctors recommend taking two to three droppers full of
beta-glucan extract a day.
Extracts from other mushrooms, such as the shiitake or
reishi mushrooms, also contain beta-glucan chemicals that can
help banish nausea and improve energy levels in cancer
patients.
Siberian Ginseng: Siberian ginseng can help
prevent the intense fatigue that is often a result of
conventional cancer treatment. Siberian ginsengs can be
especially helpful if used in conjunction with astragalus. Both
help boost the body’s immune system.
Herbalists recommend consuming 200 milligrams of Siberian
ginseng three to six times a day.
However, be very careful when shopping for Siberian ginseng,
as many products advertised as Siberian ginseng don’t actually
contain the most important ingredients. Look for a product that
is standardized for elutherosides.
An Interesting Herb Fact
Fountain of Youth? Sage and Herbal Remedies
Sage has long been highly regarded for its perceived ability to bestow longevity. Traditionally, sage has been thought to have the ability to restore failing memory to the elderly. As one of the most popular of the memory-enhancing herbs, sage has long been traditionally planted at gravesites. There are many different varieties of sage. The most popular forms of sage include Green sage (Salvia officinalis), Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa) and Purple sage (Salvia officinalis). Most herbalists tend...
Astragalus: This traditional Chinese herb can help boost the
cancer patient's immune system. Most cancer patient’s immune
system is considerably weakened during treatment. Herbalists
recommend taking 1,500 milligrams of astragalus's each day
during treatment. It can also be taken in conjunction with
Siberian ginseng for maximum effect.
Umeboshi Tea: Umeboshi is a
Japanese word that is used to describe salt plum paste. This is
one of the main ingredients of umeboshi tea, along with the
root of the kudzu plant and the popular herb ginger.
This aromatic tea can be used to prevent nausea
and vomiting caused by traditional cancer treatments. It can
also be formed into a paste or consumed in capsule form.
Sage can be used in a hair rinse to treat
dry hair, to restore hair color to graying
hair, and to treat the symptoms of
dandruff.
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Green Tea: Perhaps one of the
most popular teas, green tea allows people who are undergoing
chemotherapy to feel better. Most naturopath doctors recommend
that cancer patients drink several cups of green tea each
day.
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