Herbs for Liver Cancer
If you have liver cancer, you’re likely receiving a cocktail of different chemotherapy medications.
Perhaps you’re being zapped with radiation daily, as well as having surgery to remove a tumor. You may be taking a handful of medications that are meant to reduce your pain, control your nausea, decrease inflammation, and raise your blood count levels – amongst other things.
You may be wondering, "Is there anything natural I can be doing to treat my liver cancer, like maybe herbs or supplements?"
There are a variety of supplements and herbs that may help.
This guide is designed to give you a little bit of information so that you can discuss this information with your oncologist. From there, you can mutually discuss if these herbs for liver cancer are right for you; this guide is not meant to replace any treatments you are currently receiving.
It's important to know that herbal medicine for liver cancer does not cure your condition, nor does it cure cancers that have metastasized from a primary site to the liver.
Astragalus
Astragalus has been studied extensively and has been found to be a valuable complementary therapy when used in conjunction with modern cancer therapies. It can help your body to withstand treatment with chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation better. It also reduces fatigue and promotes healthy blood cell counts.
Some people who have liver disease suffer from fluid accumulation and poor function of the heart. Astragalus can improve cardiac function and relieve cardiac chest pain.
The best form of astragalus is a specially prepared dried root. The root is flattened and prepared with honey. This process is believed to make the active ingredients in astragalus more usable by your body. If you choose to take astragalus as an independent herb, most herbalists recommend that 2.4 to 4 grams be consumed daily.
An economical way to prepare astragalus root is to make an herbal decoction of the dried root. Here is how to do it:
Place 10-15 grams of the dried root in a heavy saucepan. Cover the herb with one liter of water and slowly simmer the tea for several hours. The tea is done when approximately half a liter of liquid remains. Strain off the used herb and discard or compost it.
Drink 125 ml of the tea daily. Store leftover tea in a covered container in the refrigerator. The tea should be consumed hot.
Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms interfere with cancer's ability to reproduce. They can help your body become more resistant to infections that may arise as a result of having a compromised immune system.
Medicinal mushrooms also help your body to cope with conventional treatments for liver cancer. They can help to relieve side effects that occur as a result of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, reducing nausea, stimulating appetite and helping to improve blood cell counts.
By using medicinal mushrooms, you may be able to preserve muscle mass.
Many people who have liver cancer lose weight due to a loss of muscle mass. Mushrooms can help prevent the undesirable weight loss that often occurs with advanced cancer, and prevents toxins from damaging your liver further.
Herbalists classify mushrooms as adaptogenic herbs. Adaptogenic herbs are gentle yet powerful. Adaptogens, including medicinal fungi, may be taken for long periods of time to boost stamina, relieve fatigue, and promote wellness throughout your entire body.
They help your body to withstand the stress of all kinds. This includes physical and mental stress. Shitake, maitake, and reishi mushrooms are three of the best herbal adaptogens.
Shitake mushrooms are tasty and powerful, and are excellent for people who have liver cancer. Your liver manufactures cholesterol. Shitake mushrooms reduce levels of unhealthy LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which helps to decrease the likelihood of heart and circulatory complications that may arise due to liver disease.
enefits of milk thistle herb, dandelion root, and more herbal remedies for liver cancer.
