Herbs to Support Cancer treatment

There are some herbs which have shown activity against cancer. Both of these herbs have some serious toxicity issues and have what is called a narrow therapeutic range.  This means that it is critical to get the correct dosage and they should only be used under the direction of a trained professional. These include:

Viscum album (European mistletoe)—viscum has been used in Europe to treat cancer, reducing the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. ¹ So far, the studies have been inconclusive. Viscum can cause vomiting, diarrhea, intestinal cramps, hepatitis, hypotension, contraction of the pupil, uncontrollable eye movement, seizures, coma, and death. ²

Podophyllum peltatum (American Mandrake) is the source of an anti-cancer drug, etoposide, a synthetic derivative of podophyllotoxin. ³

Other herbs can be used to support an individual during cancer treatment. They can be nutritive or they can be specific. (that is, specific for the liver or the immune system). These include:

Zingiber officinalis (ginger) can be used to treat the nausea and vomiting of chemotherapy and radiation. ⁴ Chemotherapy and radiation therapy target the fast growing cells of the tumor.  Since the cells of your stomach and intestine are also fast growing, the chemotherapy or radiation affect them as well—this is why nausea (and hair loss) are often side effects of cancer therapy.

Essiac tea is a mixture of   burdock root, sheep sorrel, rhubarb root, and slippery elm bark powder. It came originally from the Ojibwa tribe. It supports and strengthens the immune system.

Immune supportive herbs such as Echinacea and mushrooms such as Reishi, Coriolus and Maitake can be very useful. Immune system support can help avoid infections that could set a cancer patient back.  Also, theoretically, the immune system is able to destroy cancer cells—if you can boost your immune system, it may be theoretically possible to help your immune system destroy any tumor cells that “escape” the chemotherapy or radiation.

Liver supportive herbs such as Silybum marianum (milk thistle), Schisandra chinensis⁵ (Chinese Schizandra),  are Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Taraxacum root (dandelion root) and Cynara scolemus (artichoke) can be very helpful, particularly during chemotherapy.⁶  Beets are also great for the liver. Liver support is often very important in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy because the liver detoxifies drugs—and if the liver is unable to detoxify the drugs used to fight cancer, those drugs can build up in your system.

Curcuma longa (turmeric) has shown some promise in the treatment of colon cancer⁷ and is a well known anti-inflammatory spice.

Perhaps among the most important things you can do during cancer treatments is to maintain good nutrition, get support from friends and family, live an as-active-as-possible lifestyle and maintain a positive attitude.  Find health professionals who understand what you want and answer your questions. None of these things are easy, but as the spouse of a cancer survivor, and as a cancer survivor myself, I can tell you it’s a lot better than the alternative! Plus, there are studies out there suggesting that the more positive your attitude, the more in control you are of your own treatment, the better off you will be!⁸