Herbs During Radiation Therapy

[Guest guest]

Wheatgrass juice and living foods, I think, are also a must!!

Other comments?

Be Well,

Misty L. Trepke

http://www..com

 

Good Morning!

 

Herbs during Radiation Therapy

 

I recently shared this information with one of our dear members

and feel it could benefit all of us.

 

Herbs to consider during radiation therapy are Reishi, Polygonum

Multiflorum (fo-ti; ho shou wu) Root and Astragalus Membranaceous.

 

Among the properties of these herbs are the ability to tonify and

balance the immune system, provide energy as needed for hard work

and to act as rejuvenators and anti-aging herbs which restore

vitality and youthful appearance. They also are considered to be

excellent blood purifiers and detoxifying agents.

 

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi or Ling Chih) has been shown to

clinically inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and to act as

immune modulators due to polysaccharides, increase production of RNA

and DNA in bone marrow, produce immune enhancing response in mice,

augment immunoglobulin G and expand the `memory' of T-cells. It has

been successfully used to treat tumors and when combined with

vitamin C, can `wake up' the immune system helping to prevent tumor

formation.

 

It has been demonstrated that Reishi can help reduce the side

effects of many kinds of chemotherapy and radiation treatment and

simultaneously contribute to the rebuilding of the immune system—an

essential part of recovery from cancer. Ganoderma stimulates the

production of interferon and interleukin-1 and –2, which are potent

natural anticancer substances produced in our own bodies.

 

Reishi has also been shown to lower blood cholesterol and blood fat

levels, improve the condition of heart disease patients, lower blood

pressure significantly in only 10 days and give an adaptogenic

quality, providing the person with protection from a wide range of

biological, environmental and social stresses. Reishi also

contributes to pain relief and has a calming effect.

 

As an anti-aging treatment, Reishi works as an anti-oxidant against

free radicals, protects against the effects of radiation and has

anti-inflammatory effects.

 

 

Polygonum multiflorum (fo-ti; ho shou wu) root strengthens the

tendons, ligaments and bones and prevents premature aging. Polygonum

is useful not only for maintaining youthfulness but also for

providing strength to the body. It is a perfect tonic.

 

It provides strength, resilience and stamina to the body. Alone, or

properly combined with other tonic herbs, Polygonum is also an ideal

longevity-promoting, anti-aging tonic herb. Over the centuries ho

shou wu's reputation has bordered on the mythical for it's power to

produce longevity, increase vigor and promote fertility.

 

Preparations of radix Polygonum multiflorum (ho shou wu) reduced

the levels of cholesterol in the blood of rabbits with

experimentally induced hypercholesteremia.

 

 

Astragalus membranaceous ranks as one of the most potent health

tonics in the world. Astragalus is said to strengthen the primary

enegry of the body. Astragalus is famed for it's strengthening

effects. It is therefore beneficial to those who tend to be

physically active and require abundant physical energy. It enhances

the function of the skin to eliminate toxins and to heal more

quickly and effectively.

 

Astragalus extracts have been proved to have potent immunomodulating

effects in both animals and human. Water extracts of Astragalus

enhance macrophage activity and reduce the activity of suppressor T-

cells. The herbal extract increases natural killer cell

cytotoxicity, helps antibody response and increases helper cell

activity. Astraglaus improves the immune response in humans

undergoing radiation and chemotherapy as a treatment of cancer.

 

It is an extremely potent immune modulator, capable of building the

immune response while while suppressing excessive immune activity,

as occurs in autoimmune conditions (including allergies and

arthritis). In addition, the total Astragaloside fraction has a

similarly potent antioxidant activity, hundreds of times stronger

than that of Grape Seed extract, Gingko biloba and Pine Bark

extract.

 

When a decoction of the root was given to mice over a three week

period, their swimming duration increased, as did their body weight,

suggesting the root may increase endurance. Further experiments

indicated a positive result in reducing blood pressure, both by

strengthening contractions of normal heart tissue and by it's blood

vessel dilating action, which improves blood circulation. In

studies with mice, it has also been shown to augment the interferon

response to viruses. No toxic side effects have ever been reported.

 

 

References:

 

1.Reishi Mushroom: Herb of Spiritual Potency and Medical Wonder by

Terry Willard Ph. D. Sylvan Press, 1998.

 

2.The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs by Ron Teeguarden.

Warner Books 1998

 

3.Herbal Emissaries: Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West by Steven

Foster and Yue Chongxi. Healing Arts Press, 1992

 

4.Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica by Dan Bensky and Andrew

Gamble with Ted Kapchuk. Eastland Press, 1993