Herbs and Chemo

mariam_11_09
mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I understand this might be a question for my oncologist but I am also curious to know if there is anyone else out there who is taking herbs (chinese or western) during chemo. My chemo doesn't start until mid to late Feb. and I have just had surgery so I am recovering from that however I have always taken milk thistle and dandelion as I have had Hep. C and malaria and it helps detox the liver. I also often take bentonite clay to remove additional toxins from the body but have no idea how this might impact chemo or not.

Are there any other alternative/complimentary treatments that people are using in addition to the chemo? I don't want to choose one over the other and many 'cancer cures' are based on faulty science.

Comments

  • Sam726
    Sam726 Member Posts: 233
    #2
    Herbal Tea
    I drank a tea called "marys tea"...i drank it all during chemo and plan on taking it from now on. Not sure whats in it..you can google it and see. I handled chemo very well with little side effects so not sure if it was due to strong body or tea. Figured doesnt hurt...
  • Menaff
    Menaff Member Posts: 9
    #3
    Herbs
    My husband drinks Essiac tea, and is also taking Montana (or Pacific)Yew. Google these
    and you can read a lot of info on them. My husband has 3 & 4 stage cancer. He had x-rays and ct scan Thursday, and it appears the mass in his lung is shrinking. He is taking chemo treatments at this time. Just had his third. He is taking Health food store quality multi-vitamins and CoQ10. And lots of prayers. Positive attitude.
    Good luck!! ^o^
  • Menaff
    Menaff Member Posts: 9
    #4
    Herbs
    My husband drinks Essiac tea, and is also taking Montana (or Pacific)Yew. Google these
    and you can read a lot of info on them. My husband has 3 & 4 stage cancer. He had x-rays and ct scan Thursday, and it appears the mass in his lung is shrinking. He is taking chemo treatments at this time. Just had his third. He is taking Health food store quality multi-vitamins and CoQ10. And lots of prayers. Positive attitude.
    Good luck!! ^o^
  • Menaff
    Menaff Member Posts: 9
    #5
    Herbs
    My husband drinks Essiac tea, and is also taking Montana (or Pacific)Yew. Google these
    and you can read a lot of info on them. My husband has 3 & 4 stage cancer. He had x-rays and ct scan Thursday, and it appears the mass in his lung is shrinking. He is taking chemo treatments at this time. Just had his third. He is taking Health food store quality multi-vitamins and CoQ10. And lots of prayers. Positive attitude.
    Good luck!! ^o^
  • m_azingrace
    m_azingrace Member Posts: 399
    #6
    Menaff said:

    Herbs
    My husband drinks Essiac tea, and is also taking Montana (or Pacific)Yew. Google these
    and you can read a lot of info on them. My husband has 3 & 4 stage cancer. He had x-rays and ct scan Thursday, and it appears the mass in his lung is shrinking. He is taking chemo treatments at this time. Just had his third. He is taking Health food store quality multi-vitamins and CoQ10. And lots of prayers. Positive attitude.
    Good luck!! ^o^

    Keep your doctor informed
    I received a "cancer packet" when I was first diagnosed. Along with copious amounts of advice and information for diet, exercise, treatments, etc, there was also cautions to be sure to consult my doctor before using supplements or herbals, as some may work against the prescribed treatment. For instance, I'm taking Letrozole (aka Femara), which is an estrogen blocker. A side effect is hot flashes. There are OTC and herbal products that can ease the flashes, however these would also feed my cancer. So naturally, I avoid them regardless of the comfort they would provide. We have to keep an open mind, but don't let our brains fall out. Be sure and tell your doctor what you're doing. Some products are harmless and he might say "use it if you want to", but others are strictly not in your best interest, even if they might make you feel good at the time. Hugs to you all. Gracie.
  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #7
    m_azingrace said:

    Keep your doctor informed
    I received a "cancer packet" when I was first diagnosed. Along with copious amounts of advice and information for diet, exercise, treatments, etc, there was also cautions to be sure to consult my doctor before using supplements or herbals, as some may work against the prescribed treatment. For instance, I'm taking Letrozole (aka Femara), which is an estrogen blocker. A side effect is hot flashes. There are OTC and herbal products that can ease the flashes, however these would also feed my cancer. So naturally, I avoid them regardless of the comfort they would provide. We have to keep an open mind, but don't let our brains fall out. Be sure and tell your doctor what you're doing. Some products are harmless and he might say "use it if you want to", but others are strictly not in your best interest, even if they might make you feel good at the time. Hugs to you all. Gracie.

    Talk to you oncologist
    and ask specific questions. Every doctor is different. My doc allowed his patients take most of supplemental remedies, However my friend's doc, who is 10 miles north did not. Also during radiation you will have much more restriction, including vitamins. I still would avoid take any supplement the day before and after Chemo infusion and during Chemo as well.
    Yes, when after my surgery before Chemo I took Pau d'Arco. For estrogen positive I am checking/googling every plant for compounds similar bioidentical hormones.
    Good luck
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #8
    As many others here have already advised...
    Please be sure to discuss this issue in detail with your own med onc. Yes, we all get different directions. However, they are many different chemo drugs used in various combinations.

    My own doctor advised that the best "compliment" to my chemo was copious amounts of water. Just water - not including other beverages. Minimum 8 glasses per day. Reason: circulates the chemo drugs everywhere within the body so that they're most effective. Also, prevents too much to remain in one place for too long (example: internal organs). And finally, helps the body to completely flush them out once they've done their job.

    Best wishes to you.
  • mariam_11_09
    mariam_11_09 Member Posts: 691
    #9
    Foods and Estrogen levels

    I was told my a Chinese Herbalist that the following mess with your estrogen levels (increase it)

    any soy product
    honey
    juice of any root vegtable including carrot and celery.
    licorice

    He also suggested unsprayed fruits and vegtables because some organic pesticides can still have an impact on your body. However there are washes that rid fruit and veg. of pesticides.
  • rosamargarita
    rosamargarita Member Posts: 9
    #10
    Complementary treatments to chemo

    Hello,

    I saw your post about taking alternative supplements in addition to chemo and thought you would like to read my blog.  I started the blog to collect information, news, and stories about escozine, a product that helped my best friend and many others.  I hope it is a good resource for you.  This woman describes her combination with chemo [content removed by CSN moderators]

    Rosa

Discussion Boards