"No Herbs" with cancer treatment?

Q: Hello Susun, I bought your book on breast cancer and LOVED it.

I have breast cancer and just finished TAC chemotherapy. Had surgery last week to remove tumor and now healing. In three week I have to start radiation. My immune system is very depleted from the chemo. I want to boost it and keep healthy.Doctors tell me I can't take any vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants during radiation just like the chemo treatment they told me that. My cousin told me about COLOSTRUM by Symbiotics. Do you think I can take this during radiation treatment?? Are there ANY side effects of it?? Also do you know anything about Goji berry juice? I know it has antioxidants in it so I can't take it now but was thinking as soon as I am done with radiation I would start. Any information would be very appreciative.

THANKS, P.

 

A: Hello P., thank you for writing. We are glad you have and appreciate Susun's Breast Health book. Susun does not have internet in her home to be able to correspond through email. I will be sure to share your kinds words with her however :)

It is tough when the doctors tell you you can't take things you may find helpful. I think it is a broad statement to say NO supplements, herbs etc. since we use herbs in our foods and salads and teas. While I can not speak specifically about the herbs you may wish to use and the treatments you are undertaking, I think that statement by the doctors is way overgeneralized and comes from fear of the unknown. It is also an easy way to stay safe. Meanwhile though you may miss out on something you could dearly use during such a trying time. I suppose what I am saying is to explore deeper what "no herbs" means to you. Perhaps you wish not then to use any tinctures at all, but nourishing herbal infusions can be like nourishing foods. I would liken Nettle infusion in many ways to a bowl of well cooked greens. And there are wonderfully immune enhancing "herbs" that for the time being you could call foods, like garlic and ginger and oregano and marjoram. I would be eating pots of soups with these :) Unless of course the doctors you spoke with specified none of these either.

I have heard recently of colostrum, and personally have a hard time with it simply because I think it was meant for a baby calf and was diverted into our hands So I have not researched it much, though do know the source I heard it recommended was one I trust greatly. This would not count as a supplement? I know little about goji berries.

I would love to invite you to our Wise Woman Forum and Email groups accessed through www.wisewomanweb.com for more ideas and support. There you may find others who know more about these resources, as well as more details about what is and is not contraindicated during the treatments you are having, should you wish to question any particulars.

My thoughts and love are with you. I wish I could answer your questions more directly, and do hope you make use of the above resources in your search for how to best care for yourself during this time!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

Comments

[Malvasia]

I was diagnosed with Stage IIB or IIIA breast cancer just over 14 years ago, which included 18 of 24 positive lymph nodes. All this happened prior to the huge alternative movement finally going mainstream. My best friend and I did extensive research, where we discovered several herbs I decided to use. Fortunately, my doctor, a wonderful Asian man, who believes anything can happen (East meets West in thought), advised me NOT to take my herbs ON CHEMO DAYS (ok otherwise), and that I could take my multi-vitamin and vitamin E everyday. If you have more questions, let me know. Peace

[sandra]

i also have breast cancer and am to start radiation, I have found the majority of dr. have said no a,c,e during radiation. One noted author, cancer dr said take them on weekends.
I have chosen to not take these 3 but am taking other things ie, omegas, turmeric, astragalus, coq10 policosinal and calcium (double) with d and mag. to keep up my energy, cleanse my blood and strengthen my bones. Oncologist, surgeaon and radiation dr all seem to say ok.

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Many herbs (including astragalus, dong quai, echinacea, and Asian ginseng) supposedly "boost" the immune system and so shore up the body against future or existing cancer. Extremely small studies suggest that shiitake or maitake mushrooms, mistletoe, extracts of the Venus flytrap, and various botanical therapies used in traditional Chinese medicine may help treat certain forms of cancer. But until better evidence is in, we cannot completely rely on them. Ginger, and maybe some other herbs, may help relieve nausea that often accompanies conventional cancer therapies.

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