Aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy uses fragrant oils to provide a calming sensation. Oils, infused with scents such as lavender, can be applied to your skin during a massage, or the oils can be added to bath water. Fragrant oils can also be heated to release their scents into the air, Aromatherapy may be helpful in relieving nausea, pain and stress.
Aromatherapy can be performed by a practitioner, or you can use aromatherapy on your own. Aromatherapy is safe, though oils applied to your skin can cause allergic reactions. People with cancer that is estrogen sensitive, such as some breast cancers, should avoid applying large amounts of lavender oil and tea tree oil to the skin.
Acupuncture.
During acupuncture treatment, a practitioner inserts tiny needles into your skin at precise points. Studies show acupuncture may be helpful in relieving nausea caused by chemotherapy. Acupuncture may also help relieve certain types of pain in people with cancer.
Acupuncture is safe if it’s performed by a licensed practitioner using sterile needles. Ask your doctor for names of trusted practitioners. Acupuncture isn’t safe if you’re taking blood thinners or if you have low blood counts, so check with your doctor first.
| If you’re experiencing: | Then consider trying: |
|---|---|
| Anxiety | Hypnosis, massage, meditation, relaxation techniques |
| Fatigue | Exercise, massage, relaxation techniques, yoga |
| Nausea and vomiting | Acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnosis, music therapy |
| Pain | Acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnosis, massage, music therapy |
| Sleep problems | Exercise, relaxation techniques, yoga |
| Stress | Aromatherapy, exercise, hypnosis, massage, meditation, tai chi, yoga |
How Can Alternative Medicine Help People With Cancer?
Alternative cancer treatments may not play a direct role in curing your cancer, but they may help you cope with signs and symptoms caused by cancer and cancer treatments. Common signs and symptoms such as anxiety, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, difficulty sleeping, and stress may be lessened by alternative treatments.
Integrating the best of evidence-based complementary and alternative cancer treatments with the treatments you receive from your doctor may help relieve many of the symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment. Discuss all of your options with your doctor and together you can determine which strategies might work for you and which are likely to have no benefit.
Work closely with your doctor to determine the right balance between traditional medicines and alternative cancer treatments. While complementary and alternative cancer treatments, such as acupuncture, may reduce nausea or pain, they generally aren’t powerful enough to replace cancer medications from your doctor.
Beta Glucans.
Beta glucans are naturally-occurring compounds found in nature but not in the human body. These complex sugar molecules supplement the immune system in order to design well targeted attacks on cancer and other foreign agents. Beta glucans provide immunomodulation and treat excessive inflammation due to autoimmune responses. Some common foods which contain beta glucans are yeast, mushrooms, fermented foods, and indigestible soluble fibers including oats and barley.
Beta glucans protect the body from cancer by activating immune cells such as antibodies, natural killer cells, cytokines, T-cells, and macrophages. Together these cells coordinate attacks on tumor growth. There are more than 1,000 published scientific articles on the health benefits of beta glucan therapy. Beta glucan supplementation has been shown in research to lower the rate of cancer cell concentration by effectively detecting and destroying their targets.
Many practitioners use 500 mg daily as a preventative measure for a healthy individual and 1000 mg, taken 2 times daily, outside of meal times as an immune strengthening agent in order to slow or prevent cancer growth.
