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 Dr. Kingsbury. Herbalist drlinda@spiritherbs.com