Herbs for coping with Radiation
DNA damage reduction
Eat foods rich in carotenes to reduce DNA damage – Dark leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, pumpkins, cantaloupe, watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, apricots
Vegetables – beets grated raw, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots
Miso – classic food for prevention of radiation damage. Drink 1-2 cups a day, add to soups and sauces.
Seaweed - neutralizes radioactive isotopes. Strontium binds to the algin in brown seaweeds. Bladderwrack tea, kelp powder
Burdock root – removes radioactive isotopes from the body. 2 cups of tea day
Reishi reduces damage from radiation. Also Maitake and shitake
Dried Beans especially Lentils can reverse DNA damage caused by radiation
Skin Damage
Aloe Vera Gel relieves and repairs damaged skin
Arnica Gel topically to ease burning sensation
St. John’s wort Oil or calendula oil topically on the skin
Teas made with yarrow, calendula, or St. John’s wort a few weeks before treatment can strengthen the skin
St. John’s wort tincture and Skullcap tincture internally for pain called Relief-tea
Appetite
These foods are easy to digest - Bananas, apple sauce, porridge, mashed potatoes, almond butter, graham crackers
Whey protein powder shake. Blend 2 cups soy milk, 1 banana, 1 scoop whey powder, 1 tbls. Molasses in the blender and drink.
Tangerine essential oil. Inhale or spray In the air before meals.
Hair
Nettle tea 2 cups a day for the hair, adrenals, nerves, high in natural iron, increased energy
Seaweeds nourish the hair follicles 1/4 cup a day or ½ every other day
Energy
Astragalus root protects the adrenals, improves bone marrow activity, improves energy
Siberian Ginseng increases energy, helps the body cope with physical and mental stress
Wheat grass, barley greens, mint tea, carrot juice
Herbs for coping with Chemo
Protecting the liver
Milk thistle or silymarin extract 15 minutes before chemo then no later than 15 minutes after. The healing factors occupy the liver receptor sites so liver damaging substances do not.
Schisandrae berry tincture prevents liver damage, encourages sleep, prevents ulcers, increases energy. Chinese adaptogen herb that contains the sour flavor and helps drain the liver and remove excess ammonia, a by-product of protein digestion, from the body.
Dandelion, Yellowdock or Burdock tincture 20 drops 2-3x a day.
Immune system support
Echinacea root promotes the function of white blood cells and have anti-tumor agents
Astragalus root restores bone marrow activity, improves interferon response, protects the adrenal cortex during chemo.
Reishi Mushroom helps to resist infection, strengthens the immune system
Burdock root binds with cytoxic agents after they have killed cancer cells and escorts them out of the body before damaging bone marrow.
Nausea
Inhale Peppermint essential oil or drink the tea.
Ginger root tea, soda, candy.
Plain yoghurt slowly by the spoonful. This also helps any yeast imbalance.
Seaweed balances electrolyte balance, eat it directly, or make a tea. Bladderwrack, Kelp
Drink up to a gallon of water a day
Diarrhea and Constipation
Triphala tablets tone the intestines and improve elimination. To order call 883-9933 or email drlinda@spiritherbs.com
Slippery Elm power or lozenges eases sore throats, moth sores, irritated bowels, relieves diarrhea and constipation
Other
Nettles reduces, anemia, fatigue, liver and kidney damage, hair loss, helps build strong veins
Apricots, pau d’arco, nettle, seaweed, dandelion roots all keep iron levels high
Oat tops tea eases nerves and helps you sleep. Use in place of Decadron corticosteroid
St. John’swort oil when applied topically may reduce scalp tenderness
Compiled by Linda Kingsbury Ph.D. Herbalist
DNA damage reduction
Eat foods rich in carotenes to reduce DNA damage – Dark leafy greens, carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash, pumpkins, cantaloupe, watermelon, pink grapefruit, papaya, apricots
Vegetables – beets grated raw, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots
Miso – classic food for prevention of radiation damage. Drink 1-2 cups a day, add to soups and sauces.
Seaweed - neutralizes radioactive isotopes. Strontium binds to the algin in brown seaweeds. Bladderwrack tea, kelp powder
Burdock root – removes radioactive isotopes from the body. 2 cups of tea day
Reishi reduces damage from radiation. Also Maitake and shitake
Dried Beans especially Lentils can reverse DNA damage caused by radiation
Skin Damage
Aloe Vera Gel relieves and repairs damaged skin
Arnica Gel topically to ease burning sensation
St. John’s wort Oil or calendula oil topically on the skin
Teas made with yarrow, calendula, or St. John’s wort a few weeks before treatment can strengthen the skin
St. John’s wort tincture and Skullcap tincture internally for pain called Relief-tea
Appetite
These foods are easy to digest - Bananas, apple sauce, porridge, mashed potatoes, almond butter, graham crackers
Whey protein powder shake. Blend 2 cups soy milk, 1 banana, 1 scoop whey powder, 1 tbls. Molasses in the blender and drink.
Tangerine essential oil. Inhale or spray In the air before meals.
Hair
Nettle tea 2 cups a day for the hair, adrenals, nerves, high in natural iron, increased energy
Seaweeds nourish the hair follicles 1/4 cup a day or ½ every other day
Energy
Astragalus root protects the adrenals, improves bone marrow activity, improves energy
Siberian Ginseng increases energy, helps the body cope with physical and mental stress
Wheat grass, barley greens, mint tea, carrot juice
Herbs for coping with Chemo
Protecting the liver
Milk thistle or silymarin extract 15 minutes before chemo then no later than 15 minutes after. The healing factors occupy the liver receptor sites so liver damaging substances do not.
Schisandrae berry tincture prevents liver damage, encourages sleep, prevents ulcers, increases energy. Chinese adaptogen herb that contains the sour flavor and helps drain the liver and remove excess ammonia, a by-product of protein digestion, from the body.
Dandelion, Yellowdock or Burdock tincture 20 drops 2-3x a day.
Immune system support
Echinacea root promotes the function of white blood cells and have anti-tumor agents
Astragalus root restores bone marrow activity, improves interferon response, protects the adrenal cortex during chemo.
Reishi Mushroom helps to resist infection, strengthens the immune system
Burdock root binds with cytoxic agents after they have killed cancer cells and escorts them out of the body before damaging bone marrow.
Nausea
Inhale Peppermint essential oil or drink the tea.
Ginger root tea, soda, candy.
Plain yoghurt slowly by the spoonful. This also helps any yeast imbalance.
Seaweed balances electrolyte balance, eat it directly, or make a tea. Bladderwrack, Kelp
Drink up to a gallon of water a day
Diarrhea and Constipation
Triphala tablets tone the intestines and improve elimination. To order call 883-9933 or email drlinda@spiritherbs.com
Slippery Elm power or lozenges eases sore throats, moth sores, irritated bowels, relieves diarrhea and constipation
Other
Nettles reduces, anemia, fatigue, liver and kidney damage, hair loss, helps build strong veins
Apricots, pau d’arco, nettle, seaweed, dandelion roots all keep iron levels high
Oat tops tea eases nerves and helps you sleep. Use in place of Decadron corticosteroid
St. John’swort oil when applied topically may reduce scalp tenderness
Compiled by Linda Kingsbury Ph.D. Herbalist
