All Natural Chinese Herbs:Their Place in Chemotherapy
Jan 14
Medical philosophy is vastly different than all natural herbal therapy. Medical
doctors are aggressive in their attack on cancer and try to burn the cancer
out, cut it out, or kill it with potent drugs. Herbal philosophy is to support
the body’s natural defenses and work with the body until any illness is gone. Both
philosophies have their triumphs and challenges. In many people’s minds, the big
question is this: do all natural Chinese herbs have a place in chemotherapy treatment?
Why Not Mix Both Philosophies?
Many alternative health practitioners and even medical physicians have decided
that both philosophies can be incorporated together and result in a more successful
outcome for patients with cancer, especially those on chemotherapy. In the last few
decades, clinical research studies have proven that it is indeed possible to combine
medical therapy with all natural Chinese herbs.
For example, synthetic IL-2 is often used as a treatment modality by the medical
profession for patients with colorectal cancer, lymphoma, melanoma, and kidney
cancer. The chemotherapy drug, IL-2 is extremely toxic and can cause serious side
effects. The herb Astragalus was given to patients with colorectal cancer in a research
study. When researchers and doctors combined their efforts and administered the
all-natural Chinese herb Astragalus to patients receiving synthetic IL-2, the white
blood cells of patients became faster and more efficient. The drug’s effectiveness was
enhanced, proving that a chemotherapy and natural solution mixture could work, that
all natural Chinese herbs do indeed have a place in chemotherapy treatment.
In another study, patients with small cell lung cancer used traditional
chemotherapeutic drugs like vincristine, cyclophosphamide and carmustine and
researchers added the all natural Chinese herbs ginseng and Astragalus to the therapy.
The survival rate increased to as long as 17 years in some of the patients! Again, this
proved that a chemotherapy natural solution mixture of treatment could work.
Researchers frequently comment on the use of Astragalus to alleviate the toxic
side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. In the journal Carcinogenesis, June 2007
issue, researchers M.M. Tin and his team reported that Astragalus inhibited cell
growth and promoted the death of cancer cells. They also found that Astragalus
reduced the size of tumors without causing death and without causing a drop in
body weight in mouse studies. The researchers concluded that Astragalus could be
an effective chemotherapeutic agent in colon cancer treatment and as an adjuvant in
combination with other orthodox chemotherapeutic drugs to reduce the side effects
of chemotherapy compounds.
Protecting the Immune System
Studies show that Astragalus helps in cancer cases by increasing natural killer
cells. Astragalus also helps offset immune damage from numerous drugs. Astragalus
protects the immune system, increases the metabolic rate and increases energy levels.
All these functions can only aid a chemotherapy patient.
Glycyrrhiza glabra, or licorice, is also another Chinese herb that activates immune
cells in human subjects. In one study in The Journal of Phytotherapy Research, it was
reported in August 2006 that immune cell function was enhanced within 24 hours
of ingesting licorice and also Astragalus and Echinacea. CD4 and CD8 T cell counts
increased and continued for at least seven days. When the all natural Chinese herbs
licorice and Astragalus along with Echinacea were used together, another immune
cell function was improved, that of CD69 expression.
Dr. Donna Schwontkowski, Master Herbalist, D.C. (ret)
There are plenty of other studies that show that all natural Chinese herbs can
be used as a chemotherapy natural solution. What we are seeing is that using the
chemotherapy drugs by themselves can almost assure one of toxic side effects, but
using them with the all natural Chinese herbs, the chemotherapy treatment can be
endured better and with a higher quality of life.
For more info on specific herbal combinations that alleviate chemotherapy side
effects, see :www.immuneenhance.com/leucozepin
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