Cancer Treatment and Herbal management of Symptoms

by | Nov 4, 2020 | Cancer, Medications, Supplement, Vitamins, Pain

 

Cancer Treatment and herbal management of Symptoms, here are some of the herbs that can help the bodies fight against cancer and help with the treatment of effects of chemotherapy etc.  

  • Uncaria tomentosa, commonly known as Cat’s Claw, is a medicinal herb used in the treatment of different diseases including cancer, arthritis, gout, and epidemic diseases. Fewer effects of chemotherapy
  • Cancer adjunct therapy – Cat’s claw, Chaparral, Green tea, Korean ginseng, pau d’arco. During chemotherapy – Astragalus, Korean ginseng, Rhodiola, Withania, St Mary’s thistle. 
  • During radiotherapy – Astragalus, Korean ginseng, Reishi, Rhodiola, Siberian ginseng and Withania.

There are many types of cancers such as Breast, Prostate, Liver, Bone, Renal etc.  Herbal medicine provides a way to help relieve symptoms and help the body repair itself in the fight against cancer.  Current medication should always be considered by your natural health practitioner before dispensing any herbal prescriptions.  It is not safe to take over the counter supplements without consulting a professional Herbalist/Naturopath when on treatment for cancer in the form of radiation/chemotherapy etc.  Finding a great Nutritionist is also a great way to support your body during treatment and the fight against cancer.

Herbal medicine is NOT instead of the medically prescribed treatment of cancer, it should be used to complement and manage your current treatment.  

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IBS – What can I do

by | Sep 20, 2020 | Autoimmune Disease, IBS, Medications, Supplement, Vitamins, Pain

IBS and Herbs that can help manage those symptoms:

IBS is an intestinal disorder causing pain in the stomach, wind, diarrhoea and constipation.

What can I do, here a few herbs that can manage the symptoms of IBS:

  • Chamomile, Corydalis, Cramp bark, Globe artichoke, Marshmallow root, Meadowsweet, Peppermint, Skullcap, Slippery elm, Valerian, Chaste tree, Ginger, Hops, Lavender, Lemon balm, Fringe tree, St Mary’s thistle.
  • Slippery elm powder to restore bowel flora 1 tsp of elm powder in water, drink after every loose stool, orr take for constipation as well, see a professional for advice.

What is IBS short for, it is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and usually diagnosed by a medical professional there is no specific testing available for IBS  but usually your GP would have performed a stool sample,  ultrasound and or colonoscopy etc.

There are three types of IBS, which are grouped by the main bowel problem:

  • IBS-D (diarrhoea)
  • IBS-C (constipation)
  • IBS-M (mixed type)

There can be many triggers for IBS, depending on the person, these could range from diet, stress and or lifestyle.  Natural Healthcare Professionals such as Herbalist/Nutritionist/Naturopath are well versed in dealing with the symptoms of IBS.  I treat you holistically as a client and look at every input and output to do with you and your body.

An easy fix for treating upset in the gastrointestinal tract is Fennel Tea:

1 Tsp of Fennel Seeds (preferable organic) seeped in boiling water for 5-10 mins (the longer the better) and drink up to 4 cups per day, take when your symptoms are at there worst i.e. before or after meals.

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Palliative Care and Herbal Management of Symptoms

Palliative Care and Herbal Management of Symptoms

by | May 30, 2020 | Cancer, Diseases, Medications, Supplement, Vitamins, Pain, Skeletal

Being the end of National Palliative Care Week and Natural Medicine week I thought this topic was perfect.   This is an area that is very close to my heart, as I have worked as in a Palliative Care Ward for over 9 years as an administrator, and then had my grandmother go through palliative care.  This is a very important topic to have with your family so that you can maintain the quality of life and manage your symptoms.  

Palliative Care means specialized medical care for people living with a terminal  illness. The type of care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of the illness. The goal is to improve the quality of life for both the patient and the family. Death is a physiological process, and as such symptoms could be managed using an integrated approach

Herbs for generalised pain – California poppy, corydalis, Jamaica dogwood, willow bark.

Herbs for Nausea/vomiting -antiemetic bupleurum, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, fringe tree, gentian, ginger, glove artichoke, peppermint, St Mary’s Thistle.

Mouth Ulcers – mouth wash can be made up to help with these depending on the patient’s ability to be able to do this.  

Herbs for Anxiety – for example, Fear of dying could be managed with bacopa, California poppy, hawthorn, hops, Jamaican dogwood, valerian, zizyphus, chamomile, motherwort.

Herbs to manage Depression – damiana, lavender, lemon balm, oats green, vervain, skullcap, valerian

Herbs to assist with Constipation – cascara, damiana, dandelion leaf and root, fringe tree, gential, Licorice, marshmallow root.

Herbs for Coughs/respiratory issues -antibiotic if infection and acute. Fennel, Licorice, marshmallow, mullein, peppermint, thyme, wild cherry.  

Herbs for the management of Diarrhoea – chamomile, bayberry, cinnamon, green tea, grape seed meadowsweet, ladies mantel, mullein.

Herbs to assist with Insomnia – bacopa, California poppy, chaste tree, hops, Jamaican dogwood, kava, lavender, lemon balm, Mexican valerian, passionflower, Withania.

Herbs to manage Fatigue – astragalus, kola nut, Korean ginseng, oats seed, rehmannia, sage, sarsaparilla, Schisandra, skullcap, Siberian ginseng.

Herbs to stop the Itching – topically using ladies mantle and peppermint.

Herbs for Neuralgia – topically using cayenne and peppermint. Orally using California poppy, hops, Jamaica dogwood, wood betony, kava, motherwort and skullcap. 

Herbs can be prepared in many forms, tincture, creams, liquid medication, poultice, and everything is always checked against your current medication.  And as you can see some herbs do double duty.

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Supplements, Medications and Herbal Medicine

Supplements, Medications and Herbal Medicine

by | May 8, 2020 | Medications, Supplement, Vitamins

Are you buying over the counter, herbal medications, vitamins and supplements may interact in harmful ways with over-the-counter or prescription medicines you are taking? Has the person that recommended them to you checked with you what other medications you are on? I personally have been in a pharmacy where the assistant offers advice on herbal medicine, by reading the label, they haven’t asked any questions and happily rung up the purchase, this could be very dangerous for the person taking them, never assume the pharmacy that you have been going to for 20 years knows all the medications you are on and have you told them that you are taking any other supplements as well, recent illness or surgeries, its all very important information.

Taking herbal supplements may decrease the effectiveness of other drugs/vitamins/minerals you are taking or may increase the negative side effects, if not checked with a professionally trained Herbalist, Naturopath or Chemist.

If you are considering taking herbal medications it is always a good idea to talk to your Doctor and Herbalist/Naturopath about possible side effects and interaction with other medications you are taking.

This is why integrative medicine is so important, that way you have to best outcome as a patient. Herbalists and Naturopaths are required to take into consideration all your medications with includes supplement brought over the counter.  You should always be wary of anyone that provides over the counter advise on supplements and herbs without knowing your medication history if you are having or had recent surgery and your general medical history.  All these things can impact on medications, supplements and herbal prescriptions.

For example, St John’s Wort interacts with a lot of medications and some of those interactions are potentially very harmful.  Certain Herbal Supplements should be ceased 7 days prior to surgery.  You should take herbal medications 2 hours away from all other medication and vitamins as it may interfere with the effectiveness of the drug/vitamin/supplement.  Certain herbs are a big no-no if you are on Warfarin or other anticoagulant therapies.  The list could go on and on, best to be safe than sorry see a professional.

Book now with your Herbalist

Get your one on one consult and a tailor-made herbal scripts.  All available online and delivered straight to your door, checking for adverse reactions with current medications and supplements.

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