Can You Prevent Chemotherapy Side Effects with All Natural Herbs?

Certainly there must be something that can be done to help your friend or loved one with cancer.

One solution is all natural herbs that can be used to strengthen the immune system and help regulate blood cell counts. These can be used as an adjunct to chemotherapy and in many cases used the same day that chemotherapy is given.

Just as drugs can affect many of the body systems, so can herbs. For example, one herb, cat's claw from the Amazon rainforest, boosts white blood cell count and function both 34%, but also has chemical constituents in it for improving depression. In Peru, herbalists sometimes recommend placing the herb underneath the pillow and say that the next morning, a new attitude will be found.

Because of the ability of all natural herbs such as cat's claw to affect the mind as well as the immune system, this herb is frequently found in all natural herb combinations for chemotherapy patients.

Reducing Chemotherapy Side Effects Strengthens the Body

One particular herbal combination I have found recently that has been tested and researched has actions that include activating the natural killer cells that fight against cancer, relieving fatigue and boosting energy levels of those on a treatment program of chemotherapy. What a wonderful combination of benefits from something natural.

This is a major feat in itself because chemotherapy drugs are good at killing cancer cells, but during the process, normal cells are also damaged. When cells are damaged, they need to be repaired and the process can leave one feeling fatigued, weak and also susceptible to infection.

Nausea, vomiting and even pain are also common side effects. About half of chemotherapy patients report that they feel queasy even before the chemotherapy treatment session begins! It's as if the body remembers feeling nausea from the last treatment session and is getting ready to start feeling the same thing again!

Natural herbal medicine is one of the best choices to reduce chemotherapy side effects because natural herbs often work on multiple body systems simultaneously, supporting the body functions holistically.

One proprietary formula of 15 all natural herbs has shown clinical results in an average of 7 days. The formula has a surprisingly pleasant taste and is reported by many cancer sufferers to change their condition from being bedridden to leading normal lives and even getting back to work.

The herbs included in this formula are:

Ligustrum Lucidum (fruit)

Polygonatum (root)

Poria (seed)

Codonopsis (root)

Psoralea (fruit)

Lycium (fruit)

Astragalus (root)

Dong Quai (root)

Tangerine (fruit peel)

Dendrobium (stem)

Chinese Licorice (root)

Spatholobus (stem)

Rehmannia (root)

Bai-zhu Atractylodes (root)

Reishi Mushroom (whole)

Dozens of research studies have reported that many of the all natural herbs in formulas like this are well known immune stimulators and have anti-cancer properties. They repair cellular damage, important when someone has cancer. Bai-zhu Atractylodes stimulates the two component parts of the immune system, the T cells and the B cells, producing more antibodies and more interferon and is known for its anti-cancer properties. Reishi Mushrooms promote the production of natural killer cells. Because of the actions of these all natural herbs, many cancer patients taking a combination such as this notice relief of anemia, relief of chronic fatigue, and relief from abnormal blood counts.

One of the big keys to recovering from cancer is regaining strength. Once this happens, the cancer patient feels better both physically and mentally and hope sets in.

For more info on herbal formulas that may help reduce chemotherapy side effects, see the website http://www.immuneenhance.com

Dr. Donna Schwontkowski is a master herbalist and a retired chiropractic physician. She is internationally known for her work in the field of herbs. Her website is http://www.drdonna.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dr._Donna_Schwontkowski

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Chemotherapy and hair loss

Chemotherapy and hair loss: What to expect during treatment

You might not think of your hair's importance in your everyday life until you face losing it. And if you have cancer and are about to undergo chemotherapy, the chance of losing your hair is very real. Both men and women report hair loss as one of the side effects they fear most after being diagnosed with cancer.

Whether or not your hair falls out from your chemotherapy depends mostly on the type and dose of medication you receive. But whether you can maintain a healthy body image after you hair falls out depends a lot on your attitude and the support of your friends and family.

Chemotherapy and hair loss: Why does it occur?

Chemotherapy drugs are powerful medications that attack rapidly growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, these drugs also attack other rapidly growing cells in your body — including those in your hair roots.

Chemotherapy may cause hair loss all over your body — not just on your scalp. Sometimes your eyelash, eyebrow, armpit, pubic and other body hair also fall out. Some chemotherapy drugs are more likely than others to cause hair loss, and different doses can cause anything from a mere thinning to complete baldness. Talk to your doctor or nurse about the medication you'll be taking. Your doctor or nurse can tell you what to expect.

Fortunately, most of the time hair loss from chemotherapy is temporary. You can expect to regrow a full head of hair six months to a year after you stop treatment, though your hair may temporarily be a different shade or texture.

Chemotherapy and hair loss: What should you expect?

Hair usually begins falling out 10 to 14 days after you start treatment. It could fall out very quickly in clumps or gradually. You'll likely notice accumulations of loose hair on your pillow, in your hairbrush or in your shower drain.

Your hair loss will continue throughout your treatment and up to a month afterward. Whether your hair thins or you become completely bald will depend on your treatment. You generally need to lose about 50 percent of your hair before it's noticeable to other people.

It takes about four to six weeks for your hair to recover from chemotherapy. In general, you can expect about a quarter inch of growth each month.

When your hair starts to grow back, it will probably be slightly different from the hair you lost. But the difference is usually temporary. Your new hair might have a different texture or color. It might be curlier than it was before, or it could be gray until the cells that control the pigment in your hair begin functioning again.

Chemotherapy and hair loss: Can hair loss be prevented?

No treatment exists that can guarantee your hair won't fall out during or after chemotherapy. The best way for you to deal with impending hair loss is to plan ahead and focus on making yourself comfortable with your appearance before, during and after your cancer treatment.

 

From MayoClinic.com

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