Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the colon and rectum. Health information website Patient UK notes that bowel cancer is often symptom-free in the early stages. However, signs may include passing blood or mucous in the feces and pain in the abdomen. If you have bowel cancer you may require surgery to remove the tumor and you may need chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Some herbs may help to support conventional cancer treatment, although evidence to show they are effective is limited. Talk to your doctor or oncologist before including herbs in your treatment regimen.
Examples
The University of Maryland Medical Center website cites several herbs that may be beneficial for bowel cancer, including green tea and American ginseng. Green tea is a popular beverage that is also sometimes used as an alternative remedy for a variety of ailments including low blood pressure, Crohn's disease, kidney stones and various forms of cancer. American ginseng is primarily used to lower sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and as an alternative remedy for respiratory tract infections,. It contains chemicals that may affect the immune system. The amount of each herb that you need to take may vary; ask your doctor what is a suitable dose for you.
Effectiveness
The results of astudy by X.L. Li et al., published in the October 2009 issue of "Oncology Reports," found that American ginseng may inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer cells. The researchers also found that this herb heightens the effects of a chemotherapeutic agent known as 5-FU. However, the study was carried out in a laboratory, not in people with bowel cancer. The results of the clinical study by E. Suzuki and colleagues, published in the October 2009 edition of "Annals in Epidemiology," show that green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality and may also have a protective effect against bowel cancer.
Side Effects
Like conventional medicines, herbal medicines may cause side effects. RxList.com notes that short-term use of American ginseng is likely safe, but may cause side effects including headache, diarrhea and itching. It may also cause breast tenderness and vaginal bleeding. Green tea use is also likely safe, but MedlinePlus notes that drinking more than five cups daily may cause side effects including irritability, vomiting, tremors, headache and nervousness. It may also reduce the blood's ability to clot.
Considerations
Although herbs are naturalm this does not mean that they are suitable for everyone. For example, you should not take green tea if you suffer from a heart condition or bleeding disorder. Also avoid this herb if you have diabetes, glaucoma, liver disease or osteoporosis. It also interacts with an array of other drugs, so get medical clearance before taking this herb. American ginseng is contraindicated in a large number of conditions including breast, uterine and ovarian cancer, insomnia, diabetes and endometriosis. American ginseng may interact with other drugs that you may be taking including diabetes medicines, anticoagulants and antidepressants.
References
- Patient UK: Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herbs and Supplements for Colorectal Cancer
- MedlinePlus: Green Tea
- RxList: American Ginseng
- "Oncology Reports;" American Ginseng Berry Enhances Chemopreventive Effect of 5-FU on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells; X.L. et al; October 2009
- "Annals in Epidemiology;" Green Tea Consumption and Mortality Among Japanese Elderly People: The Prospective Shizuoka Elderly Cohort; E. Suziki et al; October 2009
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