Herbal Medicine for Mesothelioma

Types of Herbs & Natural Treatments for Mesothelioma

Natural treatments for mesothelioma include herbal medicines, supplements, diet and relaxation techniques. Herbal medicine for mesothelioma includes ginger, turmeric and others. Dietary supplements like B12 can help people through mesothelioma chemotherapy. Meditation and other relaxation techniques can reduce stress and negative feelings.

People have reported that these types of natural treatment options for mesothelioma have helped them cope with symptoms and treatment side effects. Research shows they can’t replace conventional cancer treatment. No natural treatment has been proven to control or cure mesothelioma. The importance of discussing herbs and natural treatments with your mesothelioma doctor before buying or trying them can’t be stressed enough.

In our 2025 mesothelioma survivor survey, 46% of respondents had used a variety of types of natural treatments. The 2025 State of Mesothelioma survey collected responses from 215 people with a confirmed mesothelioma diagnosis or a loved one with one, between February and March 2025, through survey invitations sent exclusively to individuals who had previously contacted The Mesothelioma Center. They’d tried approaches such as medical marijuana, herbal medicine, meditation, and TENS, which is also known as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Herbal Medicines

Herbal medicine may lessen your mesothelioma symptoms and the side effects of treatment. The herbs most studied in cancer care include astragalus and dong quai. Much of the research has tested them with chemotherapy.

Research on astragalus shows it may reduce the side effects of cisplatin and carboplatin. These are 2 of the most effective chemo drugs for mesothelioma. Dong quai may help protect the heart from damage the chemo drug doxorubicin can cause.

Avoid any herbal remedy promoted as a cure for cancer. For example, research shows essiac tea doesn’t cure cancer. But it does contain more antioxidants than red wine or green tea. Also, a common misconception is that natural products can’t be harmful or that they’re always safe to combine with pharmaceutical medications. Speak to your doctor before using any herbal medicines.

Diet and Supplements

Mesothelioma diet and supplements may boost your immune system and aid recovery. For example, eating more protein can help repair damaged tissue and support muscle mass and the immune system. Folic acid and B12 supplements can reduce the side effects of chemo.

Diet and supplements can’t control mesothelioma, but future research may improve treatment outcomes. For instance, a compound in St. John’s Wort may help kill cancer cells. It makes certain cancer cells more likely to die after photodynamic therapy, an experimental treatment for mesothelioma.

Because of the potential interactions, talk to your doctor before taking a supplement. St. John’s Wort, for example, is known to interfere with the effectiveness of some chemo and immunotherapy drugs. Your doctor can advise if it’s safe to take supplements and which ones might be helpful for you. They can also warn you about potential drug interactions.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques for mesothelioma include meditation, yoga, Qigong and Tai Chi. These techniques may ease symptoms and stress. They may help you relax, reduce anxiety and improve overall health.

Meditation can improve sleep, mood and fatigue. Yoga may aid sleep and reduce stress. Qigong and Tai Chi are gentle and effective for fatigue and inflammation. Music therapy can help improve pain and emotional well-being.

People with mesothelioma should try gentle techniques. Speak to your doctor about safe complementary therapies that don’t cause strain or put stress on the body.

Herbal Medicines Commonly Used for Mesothelioma

Several herbs have been studied for use with mesothelioma treatment including tumeric, mistletoe and astragalus. These herbal medicines are mostly for easing side effects rather than fighting the cancer itself. While no herb is a proven mesothelioma treatment, some herbs have been involved in research in cancer care. Each can interact with cancer drugs, so review any herb with your oncologist first.

Turmeric (Curcumin)

Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound studied for its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity. In laboratory tests on mesothelioma cells, curcumin showed some ability to slow cancer-cell growth. This hasn’t been tested in people or animals, so there’s no evidence yet that it treats or prevents mesothelioma. Research indicates curcumin may be safe to combine with Gemzar (gemcitabine) and may reduce bruising after surgery. Talk with your oncologist before using turmeric supplements during treatment.

Mistletoe

Mistletoe extract is one of the more studied complementary therapies in cancer care, mainly in Europe. Research in people has reported that mistletoe may reduce chemo side effects in lung cancer patients and help some tolerate higher doses of Gemzar (gemcitabine), a chemo drug also used for mesothelioma. Evidence specific to mesothelioma is limited; mistletoe is used as a complementary therapy, not a cancer cure.

Astragalus

Astragalus is among the most studied herbs in cancer care, often tested with chemo. Research on astragalus shows it may reduce the side effects of cisplatin and carboplatin, 2 of the most effective chemo drugs for mesothelioma.

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) is a medicinal mushroom studied for possible immune-supporting effects during cancer care. Some laboratory and small clinical studies suggest it may help with fatigue and quality of life, but the evidence is limited and none is specific to mesothelioma. Reishi can affect blood clotting and may interact with chemo, so review it with your oncologist first to confirm it is right for you.

Green Tea

Green tea contains epigallocatechin gallate, an antioxidant studied in laboratory cancer research. Lab studies have examined EGCG against several cancer cell types, but there’s no human evidence that green tea treats or prevents mesothelioma. High-dose green tea extracts can interact with some chemo drugs, so ask your oncologist before using concentrated supplements.

Other Herbs to Use With Caution

Dong quai may help protect the heart from damage the chemo drug doxorubicin can cause. Avoid any herbal remedy promoted as a cure for cancer. For example, research shows Essiac tea doesn’t cure cancer, though it does contain more antioxidants than red wine or green tea. St. John’s Wort can interfere with the effectiveness of some chemo and immunotherapy drugs, so it shouldn’t be combined with treatment without a doctor’s approval.

Exclusive Content

Kevin Hession: The Alternative Mesothelioma Treatments I Have Taken

View Transcript

This is our journey.


If you have mesothelioma, this is your journey.


You decide what your treatment is going to look like.


There’s a treatment I haven’t discussed at this point in time yet that I think is worthy of discussing at least to some degree. Now, it’s a little bit controversial.


I will open up this by saying if you like this as an idea, that’s an approach you need to consult with your healthcare provider. But I take acupuncture.


I I I go to a acupuncture called Doctor. China in Jacksonville, Florida.


And he he does a couple of things to me, but he was up upfront with me from the very beginning. He basically said, I cannot cure you if you’re mesothelioma.


What I can do is help you with some of the effects of some of the treatment that you’re receiving.


So, he does something called fire cupping which I would say doesn’t hurt but is uncomfortable when you’re going through it. And I’ve been going through it every Friday for the last four years. And what fire cupping does is it it puts pressure on your back and it allows for toxins in your body to be released and be eliminated from the body.


Why is this important? If you’re taking chemo, you have a certain amount of toxicity going through your body right now.


I am.


This helps alleviate some of the toxicity in my body.


Now, there’s risk associated with this and the risk that I understand it to be is that it does accelerate things going in your lymphatic system.


That’s where talking to a health professional, would come into play.


But I’m living evidence.


I’ve had thirteen CAT scans, no evidence of the disease. I’ve been able to tolerate all of my, chemo sessions.


Now I do have one, one net effect that I I haven’t really talked about yet either. And one of the things that help helps me with my chemo is a steroid.


On a scale of one to ten, the worst case of nauseousness I’ve ever had, on a scale of one to ten with ten being horrible and one being just enough to register had about I had one case where it was a three.


I owe that to the, the steroid that I’ve been receiving. Now over time, I guess that builds up something that’s also something you’re introducing to your body that your body probably doesn’t like. So I I now have what’s called steroid flush.


And usually a day or two after I have had my infusion, my face will turn bright red. Yes, it has and they’ve reduced the dosage that I’ve been receiving so it’s not quite as traumatic as it was when it first started surfacing.


But the bottom line is it allows me to tolerate the chemo that I’ve been receiving. And by receiving the chemo, that’s allowed me to live.


So that’s an important thing. So when you’re looking at your treatment, sometimes talking to your healthcare professional about other types of treatment whether it be what’s normal kind of treatment like, steroid, or something that might be different than treatment that you might receive otherwise like acupuncture.


Sometimes they might be answers that might be part of your journey.

How Do Natural Treatments Work for Mesothelioma?

Natural treatment options for mesothelioma may boost the immune system. Some soothe the digestive system. Medical marijuana or cannabis can calm the nervous system to improve nerve pain.

Studies in test tubes and animals suggest some natural treatments may help fight cancer. But researchers haven’t replicated these results in human trials.

Cancer doctors rely on clinical trials to recommend treatments. Few human trials on natural treatments for mesothelioma have made it hard for doctors to suggest them safely. Always talk to your doctor before trying a natural treatment. Some natural remedies may impact the outcome of your treatment.

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Natural Treatment Options for Mesothelioma Side Effects

Natural treatment options may help you manage your mesothelioma symptoms and treatment side effects. For example, research in humans shows mistletoe reduces chemo side effects in lung cancer patients. It helps people tolerate higher doses of Gemzar (gemcitabine), a chemo drug used to treat mesothelioma.

Turmeric contains a compound known as curcumin. Research indicates it may be safe to combine with Gemzar. It may also reduce bruising after surgery. Aloe vera taken during chemo may help prevent mouth sores, according to some studies.

Doctors don’t recommend taking herbal medicine during cancer treatment. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that herbal supplements can interact with cancer medications. If you want to try herbal medicine during treatment, talk to your doctor first. If your doctor approves its use, they can monitor your response and warn you of potential drug interactions. Some of these herbs might be safe to take after you stop treatment.

Tejal Parekh, a registered and licensed dietitian, shares with us, “I tell my patients to check with their physician before starting any new medication. This is to make sure that one treatment (particularly Chinese herbs) doesn’t interfere with another. While Chinese medicine continues to be researched, certain therapies such as acupuncture and acupressure could provide benefits in managing the myriad side effects that can occur with treatment such as chemotherapy.”

Ruth Phillips

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Survivor Takes Herbal Supplements as Complementary Treatment

Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Ruth Phillips takes several vitamins, antioxidants and herbs. She undergoes regular checkups to monitor the effects of the supplements she takes. “This is kind of like a full-time job, just staying alive. Take this stuff, that stuff, do this, do that. It really never ends. But that’s how it is when you’re trying to cohabitate with cancer.”

Ruth Phillips

Verified Asbestos.com Survivor

Read Ruth’s Story

Herbs and Supplements to Avoid Before Mesothelioma Treatment

Some herbs and supplements should be stopped before mesothelioma surgery or chemo because they can raise bleeding risk, interfere with anesthesia or change how cancer drugs work. Always give your care team a full list of the herbs and supplements you take and follow their guidance on when to stop each one.

Several herbs can change how mesothelioma drugs work. Green tea extract can increase bleeding risk when taken in concentrated supplement form, separate from its potential to block certain chemo drugs. St. John’s Wort carries a different risk: it can interfere with anesthesia and reduce the effectiveness of some chemo and immunotherapy drugs.

Common Herb-Drug Interactions

Several herbs are commonly linked to bleeding risk during surgery. Garlic, ginger, ginkgo and fish oil can each thin the blood and raise the risk of bleeding or bruising during a procedure. Vitamin E carries the same risk at high doses.

Are Herbs and Natural Treatments Safe and Effective for Mesothelioma?

Herbal and natural treatments for mesothelioma are usually safe. The effects of herbs can range from mild to potent depending on the person taking them and the medications they’re using. And they may not work as well as conventional treatments. Research has shown a mix of benefits and risks for people with cancer. 

Integrative oncology combines natural and conventional cancer treatments. It looks for safe and effective combinations. Most research on natural treatments has been conducted in test tube or mouse studies. Research on humans has been done in other countries.

Key Facts About Risks and Benefits for Mesothelioma

1. Curcumin: Curcumin is a natural substance found in turmeric, a spice. In lab tests with mesothelioma cells, it showed some ability to stop cancer cells from growing. But the study didn’t test it on people or animals, so there is no evidence yet that it prevents mesothelioma.
2. Quercetin: Quercetin is a natural compound in foods like apples and onions. Research is promising in lab tests. But there’s no data from tests on people or animals to show if it prevents mesothelioma.
3. Selenium: Selenium is a natural mineral found in certain foods. In lab tests, it stopped mesothelioma cells from growing and made them die off. Research on animals and people hasn’t happened yet.
4. Vitamins: Researchers gave people vitamin A and beta-carotene to see if they would help. But these vitamins didn’t prevent mesothelioma. Even worse, they made some people more likely to get lung cancer or heart disease.

Some herbs can cause bleeding during surgery. Some block the body’s removal of cancer drugs. Interactions with mesothelioma medications can happen. Always talk to your oncologist before buying or trying natural remedies. They want to keep you safe from harmful interactions. Your doctor may approve its use after you complete treatment.

Pleural mesothelioma survivor Billy K. tells us he’s tried herbal medicine. “I just figured I had nothing to lose, so why not try something like this. I feel great, so you could say I’m a believer now,” Billy says. “People say I look better now than before I got sick. I’m sure this moringa had something to do with it.”

Herbal Medicines Studied in Mesothelioma Cells and Animals

A small number of herbs and natural compounds have been tested specifically against mesothelioma in laboratory or animal studies. These are early-stage findings in cells or animals, not proof that any herb treats mesothelioma in people.

Herbs Studied to Shrink or Fight Tumors

Some herbs and plant compounds have been studied for their ability to slow or shrink tumors in laboratory research, including curcumin, quercetin and selenium against mesothelioma cells. These results come from cell and animal studies and haven’t been shown to shrink tumors in people. No herb is a proven substitute for surgery, chemo or other standard mesothelioma treatment.

Clinical Trials and Studies on Herbal Medicine for Cancer

Human clinical trials on herbal medicine for mesothelioma are rare. Most evidence comes from laboratory or animal studies and few funded trials test herbs in people with cancer. Trials that do run monitor patients closely for harmful interactions and test herbs for contaminants before use. Ask your doctor whether any trial is testing an herb relevant to your treatment.

Some of the same herbs studied for mesothelioma have also been studied in asbestos-related lung cancer. For example, mistletoe has been studied for its potential to ease chemo side effects in lung cancer patients.

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Commonly Asked Questions About Herbal Medicine

Can herbal medicine cause side effects?

Herbal medicines may be less likely to cause side effects than traditional drugs. But patients can still experience complications. Certain herbs may interact with chemo drugs. Some may stop blood from clotting well after surgery. Pay attention to how you feel before and after using herbal remedies. Talk to your doctor before using herbs. This helps avoid problems.

Is herbal medicine regulated in the United States?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not require dietary supplement testing before they hit the market. The FDA can issue warnings or recalls if herbal medicines are found to be unsafe or contaminated. Some have contained arsenic, lead or mercury. Stay away from herbal medicines that claim to cure cancer. These remedies are often made without scientific proof to back manufacturers’ claims.

How can I find safe herbal supplements?

If your doctor gives you the ok to try herbal supplements, you can ask for their recommendation for safe options. Buying them from trusted companies can help ensure their safety. Look for the United States Pharmacopeia label on products. Supplements verified by the USP undergo rigorous testing and auditing to ensure consumer safety. Quality labels on herbal supplements show specific acronyms. GLP stands for Good Laboratory Practice. GMP stands for Good Manufacturing Practice.

Do clinical trials investigate herbs for people with cancer?

You can ask Patient Advocates and your doctor  about trials testing herbs with mesothelioma treatment. These trials are rare. But they watch patients for harmful interactions. They take steps to avoid unwanted side effects. They test herbs for contaminants before giving them.

Can herbal medicine cure mesothelioma?

No. No herbal medicine has been proven to cure or control mesothelioma. Herbs are used as a complementary approach to ease symptoms and treatment side effects. Herbs are used with standard care, not in place of it. Avoid any product marketed as an herbal cure for cancer.

Which herbs should I avoid during mesothelioma treatment?

Some herbs can raise bleeding risk during surgery or interfere with chemo and immunotherapy, including St. John’s Wort. Give your care team a full list of everything you take and follow their guidance on which herbs to stop and when.