Breast cancer herbal remedies and other alternative treatments

How to treat breast cancer naturally with herbal medicines or alternative treatments are still in great demand by sufferers of this condition. However, is it true that these natural remedies can treat breast cancer? What are the options for herbal medicine and alternative medicine that are often used to treat this disease?

Things that must be considered before consuming herbal breast cancer drugs

Herbal medicine is a product derived from plants or plant extracts, such as oil, roots, seeds, leaves, or flowers. This type of medicine has been used for centuries to help treat disease or improve health.

However, so far there has been no research that proves that herbal medicine can cure breast cancer.

Certain natural ingredients or certain traditional medicines that are often used can only help relieve the symptoms of breast cancer and the side effects of its treatment. Therefore, do not make herbal medicine the main therapy in the treatment for your breast cancer.

On the other hand, combining these natural treatments is believed to help maintain endurance and stamina during the main course of treatment.

However, if you are planning to take herbal medicines for breast cancer, you should first consult with your doctor. The reason is, some herbal medicines can affect the way the body processes cancer drugs, especially if you are undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy.

Some herbal medicines are said to increase the effect of cancer treatment, thus making the treatment redundant. While some others can interfere with the work of the drug, so that the treatment that is being undertaken becomes less effective.

In addition to consulting your doctor, make sure that the herbal medicine you are taking has a permit from the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM). You can check it through the registration number, brand, or product name on that page.

Recommended herbal medicine for breast cancer

After going through the various considerations above, here are various herbal medicine options that you can choose to treat breast cancer. Some of these natural remedies you can find in supplement form and have been medically studied for the treatment of breast cancer.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric is one of the herbal medicines that can be consumed during breast cancer treatment.

The rhizome and rootstock of turmeric are rich in curcumin, an active ingredient that is thought to have anticancer properties due to its phenolic properties. In addition, curcumin can also convert eicosanoid compounds, such as prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2), in the body into antioxidant compounds and anti-inflammatory substances.

Curcumin is also known to be able to inhibit the growth phase of cancer from initial formation to division.

2. Echinacea

Research published in Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal mention, one type of echinacea plant, namely Echinacea purpurea, potentially help treat cancer.

The reason is, echinacea contains flavonoids which are antioxidants. The flavonoids can stimulate the immune system and increase lymphocyte activity, which is part of white blood cells to boost the immune system.

This compound is also strongly thought to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for breast cancer. Therefore, this natural remedy is said to help improve the quality of life of patients with advanced breast cancer during therapy.

3. Garlic

Garlic can be a herbal medicinal ingredient for breast cancer, because it contains a substance called ajoene which is known to temporarily inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

In addition, garlic also contains antioxidant compounds, such as bioflavonoids, cyanidin, and quercetin which are known to be able to ward off free radicals in the body. The buildup of free radicals can cause genetic mutations that can cause breast cancer.

In addition, the high amount of organic sulfides and polysulfides in garlic is also thought to increase its potential as an anti-cancer herbal medicine.

4. Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the herbal medicines which is known to be able to relieve various health problems, including breast cancer. This plant, which is widely grown in China, Korea, and Japan, has active substances that can help inhibit the spread and division of cancer cells.

An investigation conducted in Korea recommended ginseng to reduce the risk of cancer in humans. It is the dry extract and powder of ginseng root that is said to have the strongest content to help treat breast cancer as an herbal medicine.

The content of ginseng will work by interfering with the formation of DNA, thus inhibiting tumor cells that are supposed to grow. Apart from that, the active compounds also help increase the antibodies and cells that are damaged during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

5. Flax seed

Flax seed or flaxseed may not sound familiar to your ears, but it turns out that these seeds are nutritious for people with cancer, including breast cancer. Flaxseeds are rich in fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, and lignans which are antioxidants.

A group of researchers at Toronto University showed that flaxseed also has strong anticancer properties. Experimental results show that flaxseed helps reduce malignancy of tumors, including breast tumors.

However, this research is still limited to mice. Further research is needed to be able to prove its benefits in humans.

6. Green tea

Green tea leaves contain one of the polyphenolic compounds, namely epigallocatechin (EGGG), which is anti-tumor and anti-mutagenic. A study shows that the polyphenols in green tea can limit cancer cell division and trigger cell damage.

In addition, green tea also contains other antioxidant compounds called catechins, which can inhibit the spread and division of tumor cells to other areas of the body, apart from the breasts.

Therefore, green tea is often used as a natural remedy for breast cancer. However, further research is still needed to see its potential in humans.

7. Rat taro leaves

Rat taro leaves are strongly suspected to be a herbal remedy for breast cancer . A study conducted in Malaysia proved that rat taro leaf extract could help inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells, namely MDA-MB-231.

Although it can be inhibiting, its effectiveness for curing cancer in humans is not certain. The reason is, research on rat taro leaves as a breast cancer herbal remedy is still being carried out in animals.

8. Soursop leaves

Soursop is not only delicious to eat the fruit, but the leaves can also be used as an herbal medicine for breast cancer.

Reporting from research published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity , Soursop leaves contain acetogenin and alkaloid compounds which are believed to reduce cancer growth. However, further research in humans is still needed to prove its usefulness.

9. Leaves of the elephant's trunk

The leaves of the elephant's trunk contain many antioxidants, such as flavonoids, triterpenoids, and phenolic acids.

Research published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary And Alternative Medicine shows the fact that, the leaves of the elephant's trunk are useful to help overcome adenocarcinoma cells and carcinomas (cancer cells) in the breast. However, further research is still needed to prove its effectiveness.

Alternative medicine as a natural cure for breast cancer

Apart from herbal medicine, alternative medicine can also be another way to treat breast cancer naturally. However, alternative medicine is not able to cure this disease, but can only relieve the symptoms so that the quality of life will be better.

Here are various alternative treatments that can be tried to help treat breast cancer:

1. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a natural method that is believed to relieve the symptoms and side effects of breast cancer drugs, such as relieving pain, reducing nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to release natural painkillers and immune cells. However, further research is still needed to prove this.

2. Yoga

Yoga is a combination of exercise and meditation which aims to unite the mind, body and soul. This natural remedy is believed to relieve symptoms and side effects of treatment, such as fatigue and stress, and can improve sleep quality, physical function, and quality of life for breast cancer sufferers.

3. Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy usually uses fragrant essential oils to create a calming sensation in the body. The oil can be inhaled through the aid diffuser, applied to the skin with a massage, or dripped into a bath to help relax the body as an alternative treatment for breast cancer.

These alternative treatments can help relieve nausea, pain, as well as stress and anxiety in breast cancer patients.

4. Hypnotherapy

Hypnosis or hypnotherapy is an alternative breast cancer treatment that helps guide you to relax and enter your deepest concentration. Hypnotherapists usually use hypnosis to help deal with various emotional and physical problems, such as anxiety, hot flashes , nausea, and pain arising from breast cancer treatment.

5. Massage

Massage can be an alternative treatment that helps relieve pain and relieve anxiety, fatigue, and stress in cancer patients, including breast cancer. This natural remedy can also improve your immune function in undergoing breast cancer treatment.

6. Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a Japanese-style massage using acupressure. In shiatsu massage, the therapist applies varying rhythmic pressure, using the fingers to specific parts of the body.

So far no studies have proven the effect of shiatsu on breast cancer. However, some breast cancer sufferers who take this alternative medicine report that they feel more relaxed and the pain in the neck, shoulders, back, and head is reduced due to the effects of breast cancer treatment.

However, you are not advised to do this natural remedy if you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for breast cancer.

7. Tai chi

Tai chi is a sport that combines gentle movements and deep breathing. This alternative medicine can help relieve stress and improve strength, balance, flexibility, and heart and lung function in people with breast cancer.

8. Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese therapy that is performed by hand and can be chosen as an adjunct treatment for breast cancer. This therapy aims to balance the flow of energy and stimulate the body's ability to heal.

There are no scientific studies that show the effectiveness of reiki as a natural breast cancer remedy. However, you can get some benefits, such as relaxation, a feeling of warmth in the body that causes drowsiness, and reducing anxiety and stress so that you are happier.

9. Meditation

Meditation is the practice of focusing attention by restraining the normal flow of thoughts that control the mind. For breast cancer sufferers, meditation can be an alternative treatment to reduce stress, improve mood , make sleep better, and reduce fatigue.

10. Music therapy

A 2001 study in the UK found that music therapy can also be used as an alternative treatment to relieve symptoms of breast cancer, such as anxiety and pain.

Research also suggests that the function of the immune system increases and the stress hormone cortisol decreases through this therapy.

Whatever type of alternative medicine and herbal breast cancer medication you choose, be sure to consult a doctor first. If your doctor allows it, there is no need to hesitate to do these various therapies. However, if the doctor does not allow it, follow his recommendations for your health.