One cancer treatment type is chemotherapy, which consists of a series of toxic medications intended to send the disease into remission by killing cancer cells. However, the medications also destroy normal cells, which causes adverse side effects such as severe nausea, hair loss, fatigue, vomiting, weakness and damage to internal organs, according to nutritionist Phyllis A. Balch in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." In addition to the aforementioned side effects, chemotherapy lowers the body's already compromised immune response. Some herbs have been known to counteract the side effects of chemotherapy and to bolster the immune system; however, a physician should be consulted prior to adding herbs to any cancer treatment plan.
Astragalus
Astragalus has been a significant herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years to strengthen the body's immune response. The herb is known to improve the condition of cancer patients by bolstering the responsiveness of T cells, which helps the body's natural immune response fight the disease. Astragalus has been known to mitigate side effects and extend the life expectancy of patients taking chemotherapy treatments, according to the University of Maryland Medical Medical Center. The recommended dose for astragalus is 250 to 500 mg of a powdered capsule, three to four times per day.
Ginger
Ginger root grows natively in Asia and has been used traditionally in Chinese, Indian and Arabic medicine since ancient times. The herb is commonly associated with its role preventing and treating nausea, which is useful for patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ginger can alleviate nausea during chemotherapy. The recommended dose for nausea is 2 to 4 g of fresh ginger root daily or 30 to 90 drops of the liquid extract daily.
Shiitake
Shiitake contains an active compound called lentinan, a form of beta-glucan that has been known to inhibit cancerous tumor growth and alleviate chemotherapy side effects. Japanese physicians have been particularly successful treating stomach cancer with lentinan in combination with chemotherapy, according to "Vegetarian Times." Shiitake's capacity to bolster white blood cells called T-lymphocytes is thought to be responsible for its cancer-related effects. The recommended dose of shiitake is 1 to 3 g two to three times per day.
References
- Holistic Online: Cancer
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herbs and Supplements for chemotherapy support
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- "Vegetarian Times": Healing Foods: Mushrooms
- Holistic Online: Shiitake
