Natural Products, Herbs, & Nutrients

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical treatment. Please consult your oncologist before trying any complementary therapy.

It’s very rightly said that if Nature has created the problem, it has also created the solution. You just need an observant eye to catch on. In the mountains of Himachal Pradesh where I’m from there is a famous saying that the antidote of a poisonous tree grows right beside it. Talk to your oncologist before trying any of them. 

Similarly, if Nature has created disease and pathogens, it has also created natural products and herbs which can help us to manage them. Herbs like Turmeric, Mushroom, and Cannabis have been used in India since Vedic times; they may support wellbeing alongside standard treatment and are not a cure. For example, Turmeric has excellent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It is used in different forms as a food additive, natural antibiotic, and in paste form to take care of ailments ranging from common cold and fever to skin problems. Recent research suggests that the active ingredient in turmeric known as Curcumin is a potent antibiotic and antioxidant which can be used not only as an antipyretic and for accelerating muscle growth but also for treating diseases like Cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and Dementia. 

Curcumin, fortunately, is just the starting. Many herbs, natural supplements and food additives like Lycopene, Wheatgrass, and Mistletoe may support wellbeing and help with side effects of cancer treatment alongside standard treatment; they are not a cure. The use of these herbs and natural compounds can also improve your lifestyle and take care of many day-to-day problems. The most important thing? There are no side effects of these herbs which mean you can use them without any fear. They may help you manage some effects of the illness, but they are not a cure. 

To know more about these natural products and how -and in which form- you can use them, you can go through the following list and the links provided along with them.

• Herbal therapies
• Aromatherapy
• Cannabis and Cannabinoids
• Curcumin/Ginger/Onion/Garlic
• Green Tea
• Lycopene
• Mushroom (Beta Glucane)
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids
• Vitamin D and Vitamin E
• Mistletoe (amar bel jadee bootee)
• Wheatgrass Therapy

References and More Information

• Credit: Beyond Conventional Care Therapies
• ZenOnco.io Integrative Oncology Cancer Care
• Ting Bao, MD: The Role of Integrative Therapy in Cancer Care
• American Botanical Council: HerbMed
• Editors: Iris F. F. Benzie and Sissi Wachtel-Galor: Herbal Medicine, 2nd Edition: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects