Phytotherapy May Reduce Side Effects of Cancer Treatment

PHYTOTHERAPY, that is, treatment with plants, has been supportive in many areas in recent years. Phytotherapy can also be used to treat cancer patients, prevent nausea, or support treatment. But the use of the plants needs to be done under the supervision of a doctor since the licorice root raises blood pressure while it is good for the stomach. On the other hand, St. John's wort is one of the plants with the most “drug interaction.”

“It Helps Patients Live a Comfortable Life”

Stating that phytotherapy cannot replace the currently used treatments,  Yeditepe University Internal Medicine and Hematology Specialist: ''The place of phytotherapy in hematology and studies related to it are increasing. Of course, we do not think that conventional treatments can completely replace it. I am one of the doctors who argue that phytotherapy can be used as supportive therapy. Especially in our patients, I see their effectiveness in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy or immunotherapy and living a more comfortable life. In my patients who use phytotherapy, complications are less, and they can have a more active and comfortable period until the next stage of chemotherapy."

Does High-Dose Vitamin C Kill Cancer Cells?

Our expert explained how green tea is used in treatments: “Green tea is especially beneficial in multiple myeloma. It has also been shown to reduce amyloid films in patients with heart failure and loss of protein from the kidney. There is also another product that we use, which we call turmeric or curcumin. These have immune-boosting effects. This substance breaks down the resistance of cancer cells that develop resistance to chemotherapy. We can use ginger to prevent nausea after chemotherapy. Obstetricians can also use it during pregnancy. However, we do not give ginger to our patients alone, but add it in cases where we cannot provide effective control with drugs.
Referring to the studies on vitamin C, our expert stated: “There are an increasing number of clinical studies showing that high-dose vitamin C prevents and kills the proliferation of cancer cells. However, these are effective under the control of a doctor, with high doses and intravenous forms of treatment.”

“It is Not Right to Say That There are No Side Effects Because it is Herbal”

Stating green tea can reduce the effectiveness of this drug when used together with a drug that has an important place in the treatment of myeloma, Yeditepe University Hospital Internal Medicine and Hematology Specialist warned against the idea that herbal ones do not have side effects:
“There is a thought like 'It has no side effects because it is herbal.' That is not true. It can have side effects, but it can also have different effects. For example, when a person with hypertension uses licorice root due to gastrointestinal distress, it can increase hypertension. Or garlic is used to increase body resistance, but it also uses blood thinners. Then there is a risk of bleeding because garlic dilutes the blood. Garlic lowers blood pressure, and a person on hypertension medication may also experience low blood pressure. Gingko biloba is used to increase mental activity, but it's seriously blood-thinning. Several studies have shown that St. John's wort is effective in mild depression. However, St. John's wort is the plant source with the most drug interaction. Those who want to use such products should definitely use them under the supervision of a doctor. ”