Natural Chemotherapy: Are There Natural Forms of Chemotherapy Available to Treat Cancer?

Chemotherapy is a type of drug often used to treat a variety of cancers. Chemotherapy helps to fight cancer by slowing or stopping cancer cell growth. However, it can cause a host of side effects, as well as harm healthy cells. Many patients experience side effects, such as decreased appetite, diarrhea, constipation, hair loss, memory changes, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. Natural chemotherapy methods often have less side effects and often do not harm healthy cells. However, they may not be nearly as effective. Before trying any natural chemotherapy methods all patients should discuss them with their doctor.

Venus Flytrap

This perennial plant is famous for its carnivorous habits of trapping and consuming insects. This plant is prepared and the liquid extract is removed and sold in liquid or capsule form. The liquid can be taken orally or administered intravenously. It is purported that this plant has anticancer properties and the ability to stimulate the immune system. Some claims suggest that the liquid form can be directly applied to certain skin cancer lesions as a chemotherapy and radiation substitute.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda. A lot of discussion and controversy has been milling about its potential use as a natural chemotherapy. Baking soda is said to be effective when used orally, intra-arterially, and intravenously. When administered intra-arterially, it is said to be placed into the tumor’s blood supply to help kill the tumor by cutting off the tumor’s blood supply. It is also said to help treat lung cancer by administering it into the lungs directly through the trachea in a liquid form.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a herbal plant in which the seeds that are ripe are used to produce herbal remedies. It is said to contain antioxidants that may be beneficial in treating certain disease, such as cancer. It is purported to slow down the growth of specific cancer cells, such as the cells present in breast cancer, skin cancer, and prostate cancer.

Oleander Leaf

Oleander leaf is currently in the early phases of being tested to determine whether it is effective in treating cancer. Carefully controlled doses are currently being studied. This plant is very poisonous and must be handled with extreme care or else its toxic effects can be life-threatening. Small amounts can cause death, so the current testing is proving to be difficult. The purported idea behind oleander leaf treating cancer is that a substance in it, oleandrin, will cause a particular type of cell death known as apoptosis. However, scientists and researchers first have to make consumption safe before they move onto further stages of testing.

Is There a Natural Chemotherapy Available to Treat Cancer?

Natural chemotherapies have yet to be tested enough to determine whether or not they are safe or effective enough to replace traditional chemotherapy. The natural methods above have not been shown to definitively cure any cancers. Patients in need of chemotherapy should discuss all available options with their doctor to help build the best treatment plan for them. Scientists and researchers are continuously researching new herbs and drugs to find new ways to treat cancer.

Resources

American Cancer Society. (2010). Herbs, Vitamins, and Minerals. Retrieved on June 10, 2010 from the American Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.org/docroot/eto/eto_5_2_5.asp

Medicine Net. (2010). Chemotherapy. Retrieved on June 10, 2010 from Medicine Net: https://www.medicinenet.com/chemotherapy/article.htm

Photo Credits

Venus Flytrap: Mmparedes – Wikimedia Commons

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