You may suffer from common side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea when you undergo chemotherapy, Futurity reports. Tests have been performed at Yale University to support the claims that Chinese herbs known as PHY906 have soothing and detoxifying effects. This study was performed on mice, which proved to display healing effects such as decreased tumor activity and less weight loss associated with the side effects of chemotherapy. Herbs are used for different types of ailments and have been proven to help with side effects of chemotherapy.
THC
This chemical component of marijuana, known as tetrahydrocannabinol or THC, may have soothing effects to combat the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Marinol which is marijuana in pill form helps to support a sense of well being in people who suffer every day from chemotherapy side effects, the Cancer Cure Foundation reports. It helps to increase the appetite as well. Your doctor will prescribe it for you if it is legal in your state.
Caraway and Ginger
These two herbs also help with the negative gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. Both ginger and caraway may help to ease the feelings of nausea as caraway is sipped in a tea and ginger is placed in the mouth during the actual chemotherapy treatment. Both of these herbs have an anti-nausea effect. This type of effect in fighting the ill feelings associated with chemo may allow you to feel more like a human being than a patient.
Astragalus Membranaceus
This herb helps with the loss of energy you may feel because of the chemotherapy treatments. Astragalus membranaceus has been studied and believed it decreased cold symptoms as well as help prevent viruses from surviving in your body, the American Cancer Society reports. It was thought to promote interferons in the body, which are viral antagonists, which fight viruses from occurring, the organization states. It may help to revive your body's immune system The Anderson Cancer Center in Texas reports in a study. In 2006, these findings were reviewed again and found that this herb helped to increase the affects of a chemotherapy agent as well. However, this herb cannot cure cancer nor prevent it.
