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Herbal Medicine and Cancer
Table Of Contents
Herbal medicine is a complementary therapy that some people with cancer use to ease cancer symptoms and relieve treatment side effects. Mesothelioma patients should discuss herbal medicine with their doctor to avoid drug interactions and negative treatment consequences.
Written by Michelle Whitmer | Medically Reviewed By Tejal Parekh | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: July 2, 2024
Written by Michelle Whitmer | Medically Reviewed By Tejal Parekh | Edited By Walter Pacheco | Last Update: July 2, 2024
Is Herbal Medicine Safe for Cancer Patients?
Herbs may seem harmless, but sometimes they can interfere with cancer treatment. For example, some herbs can prevent chemotherapy and radiation therapy from killing cancer cells. Certain herbs enhance the effect of chemotherapy in a toxic way that leads to unwanted side effects.
Doctors recommend patients avoid herbs during treatment. It won’t be safe until research can identify which herbs are safe to combine with cancer treatment.
14%
Percentage of patients over 81 who tried complementary therapy such as herbal medicine.
Source: The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com 2023 Survey
Clinical trials that combine herbal medicine with cancer therapies are relatively new to the United States. China has performed such trials since the early 1900s. Cancer doctors rely on clinical trials to recommend treatments that are proven effective. The lack of clinical trials on herbal medicines has limited what doctors can safely recommend.
People with cancer should get approval from their oncologist first before they take any kind of herbal medicine because some herbs may negatively impact the outcome of cancer treatment.
Is Herbal Medicine Effective in Cancer Care?
Research in a developing field of medicine known as integrative oncology attempts to understand which complementary therapies, including herbal medicines, are safe and effective to combine with conventional cancer treatments.
Some conventional cancer medicines used to contain active herbal ingredients. For example, the mesothelioma chemotherapy drug Taxol (paclitaxel) originally came from the bark of the yew tree but is now made in a lab. All parts of the yew tree are toxic, which is what makes it active against cancer cells. But consuming it is poisonous and does not produce the same effects as Taxol.
The yew tree has been used to make medicine, yet it is toxic to consume.
In general, herbal medicines are not as effective as conventional prescription medications. While some people get relief from herbal medicine for mild symptoms or side effects, many people get more relief from prescription medication.
Prescription medications may come with unwanted side effects, and these side effects may motivate people to consider herbal medicine. Herbal medicines often have a lower risk of side effects than standard-of-care drugs. This is partially because they are less potent than pharmaceuticals.
For example, patients who use natural remedies for insomnia are less likely to experience dizziness, tremors or spasms than patients who use prescription pills such as benzodiazepines.
The side effects that do occur with herbal remedies are typically mild. Constipation is the most common. The likelihood of dependency is also lower for herbal remedies.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration designates most herbs as GRAS, or generally recognized as safe. But patients must remember herbal remedies are still a type of medicine. Make sure to get approval first from your oncologist.
Herbal medicine may come in the form of tablets or capsules, creams, teas or tinctures (an alcohol-based concentrate).
Potential Benefits of Herbs
- Boost the immune system
- Ease cancer symptoms
- Reduce treatment side effects
- Slow cancer spreading (metastasis)
- Attack cancer cells
Research does not indicate that herbal medicine can replace conventional cancer treatment. No herb has been proven to control or cure any kind of cancer.
Most of the research has been conducted in test tube studies or mouse studies. Some research involving humans has been conducted, but no large, double-blind controlled clinical trials have been conducted in the U.S.
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Get a RecordingHerbs That May Help Cancer Patients
Research indicates that some herbs may help cancer patients cope with cancer symptoms and side effects of cancer treatment. Studies conducted in test tubes and animals have shown some anti-cancer effects of various herbs, but these results haven’t been replicated in human trials.
According to studies, these are the herbs most commonly used to help fight cancer.
Astragalus
Studies show astragalus helps lung cancer patients on chemotherapy.
Research on astragalus shows that it may reduce the side effects of platinum-based chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin and carboplatin. These are two of the most effective chemotherapy drugs for mesothelioma.
A 2012 Chinese study published in Medical Oncology found improved quality of life among lung cancer patients who received a combination injection of astragalus, cisplatin and vinorelbine compared to patients who only received cisplatin and vinorelbine. Patients who received astragalus had better physical function, improved appetite, and they experienced less fatigue, pain, nausea and vomiting.
Make sure you discuss astragalus with your oncologist because it is a potent herb. It can alter the way your body processes chemotherapy in ways that may help or hurt depending on the patient.
Dong Quai
Traditional Chinese Medicine uses the herb dong quai to support overall wellness. The herb may offer additional benefits to cancer patients receiving doxorubicin, which is a chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of mesothelioma.
While there have been studies suggesting potential benefits of dong quai, it is important to note that this herbal supplement can interact with certain medications and is not recommended for women with estrogen-sensitive cancers. Furthermore, its safety for mesothelioma patients remains uncertain, and further clinical trials are needed to evaluate its effects.
One study published in 2007 in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology indicated that dong quai may have a protective effect against heart damage caused by doxorubicin. Additionally, a study published in 2006 in Oncology Reports suggested that dong quai may offer protection against lung inflammation induced by radiation therapy.
Because of the complexities of interactions and the specific considerations for different cancer types, mesothelioma patients must consult with their healthcare providers before considering the use of dong quai or any other herbal supplement.
Studies on Other Herbs
Research on other herbs has also shown a mix of benefits and risks for people with cancer. For example, some herbs promote bleeding with surgery, block the body’s removal of cancer drugs, or increase their toxicity by delaying the metabolism of certain drugs.
Research on Other Herbs
- Aloe Vera: A 2011 review published in Cochrane Database Systematic Reviews reported that taking aloe vera during chemotherapy helped prevent mouth sores in some patients.
- Burdock Root: A 2011 review published in Inflammopharmacology discusses laboratory studies of burdock root that indicate the herb has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-cancer and liver-protecting properties. It hasn’t been proven to treat cancer in humans, but it may reduce inflammation and help patients recover from liver damage after cancer treatment.
- Essiac Tea: An herbal tea blend known as Essiac tea contains herbs known for their immune-boosting effects, including burdock root. Research shows Essiac tea doesn’t cure cancer, but it does contain more antioxidants than red wine or green tea. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center conducted about 18 studies on Essiac in the 1970s and 1980s. These studies found Essiac did not boost the immune system or kill cancer cells.
- Ginger: This herb shows anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects in lab studies. It can also reduce chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, according to a 2000 review published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia. But ginger should be strictly avoided before and after surgery. It promotes bleeding and should be avoided by patients with a low platelet count.
- Hypericin: This compound is found in St. John’s Wort and it may help kill cancer cells. According to a 2000 study published in the Medical Journal of Australia, hypericin makes certain cancer cells more likely to die after photodynamic therapy, which is an experimental treatment for mesothelioma.
- Mistletoe Extracts: Also known as Iscador, research done in humans suggests that mistletoe reduces symptoms and improves quality of life. A 2013 study published in the European Journal of Cancer found that mistletoe reduces the side effects of chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. A 2013 study published in Evidenced Based Complementary Alternative Medicine found that cancer patients with advanced tumors were able to tolerate higher doses of gemcitabine (a chemotherapy drug used to treat mesothelioma) with the addition of mistletoe.
- Moringa Tree: A 2006 test tube study published in the Journal of Experimental Therapeutics in Oncology found a compound in moringa tree effective at killing ovarian cancer cells. Other research suggests it may help cancer symptoms including difficulty breathing, cough, sore throat, fever and joint pain.
- Turmeric: This herb contains a compound know as curcumin. A 2011 study published in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology shows that curcumin extract may be safe to combine with gemcitabine chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer patients. Turmeric is used as an anti-inflammatory. It may reduce bruising in surgery patients when combined with bromelain (an extract from pineapples) and arnica (an herbaceous plant).
Cancer patients should exercise caution when using herbal products, as the quality control of these products may be inadequate. An example from the 1970s highlights the potential risks: a commercially available burdock root tea was discovered to be contaminated with atropine, a chemical known to cause irregular heartbeat and blurry vision. It is crucial for cancer patients to closely observe and assess the effects of any herbal remedies they consider using.
Herbs That May Help Treatment Side Effects
Several herbs may help control the side effects of conventional cancer treatment. However, doctors do not recommend that cancer patients take herbal medicine while undergoing cancer treatment. If you want to try herbal medicine during cancer treatment, talk to your oncologist about it so they can monitor your response and warn you of potential drug interactions.
Some of these herbs might be safe to take after cancer treatment is completed, but you should get approval from your oncologist first.
| Side Effect | Herbal Medicines |
|---|---|
| Nausea or vomiting | Ginger, Marijuana, Grape Seed, Peppermint, Roman Chamomile |
| Appetite loss | Marijuana, Dandelion, Devil’s Claw, Lemon Balm, Siberian Ginseng |
| Diarrhea | Bilberry, Blackberry Leaf, Chamomile, Huanglian, Marshmallow Root |
| Constipation | Aloe Vera, Fenugreek, Ragweed, Senna, Psyllium |
| Fatigue | Astragalus, Chlorella, Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola |
| Skin irritation | Calendula, Holy Basil, Milk Thistle, Panax Ginseng |
A 2022 review of studies looking at the effects of herbal medicine on oral mucositis caused by cancer treatment found several herbs effective at improving tissue swelling in the mouth. For example, curcumin, honey and chamomile were reportedly effective at preventing and treating swollen tissue and sores in the mouth.
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Connect NowHerbs That May Help Cancer Symptoms
Certain herbal medicines may help mesothelioma cancer symptoms such as pain and difficulty breathing. Some of these herbs have been studied in cancer patients, and some of them haven’t.
| Symptom | Herbal Medicines |
|---|---|
| Pain | Marijuana, Boswellia, Curcumin/Turmeric, White Willow Bark, Arnica |
| Shortness of breath | Hawthorn, Eucalyptus, Lobelia, White Pine Bark |
| Coughing | Black Cohosh, Slippery Elm Bark, White/Western Yarrow |
| Anxiety or stress | Kava, Passionflower, Magnolia Bark |
| Depression | St. John’s Wort, Valerian |
| Sleeplessness or insomnia | Passionflower, Valerian, Chamomile |
Precautions for Using Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicines may be less likely to cause side effects than traditional drugs. But patients can still experience complications. Some herbs can cause negative interactions with chemotherapy drugs. Others may prevent blood from clotting properly after surgery.
Closely monitor how you feel before and after taking herbal remedies. Patients should always consult with their doctor before trying herbs to avoid complications.
Dietary supplements do not have to undergo FDA testing before reaching the market. Some patients have unknowingly bought supplements contaminated with arsenic, lead and mercury.
To avoid contaminated herbs, patients should only buy products from reputable companies with a United States Pharmacopeia (USP) label. Patients can also look for one or more quality labels that appear as specific acronyms on the herbal supplements.
Quality Labels on Herbal Supplements
- GAP (Good Agricultural Practice)
- GLP (Good Laboratory Practice)
- GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
- GSP (Good Supply Practice)
Although some herbs may be able to slow cancer growth, patients should avoid herbal medicines that are marketed as cures for cancer. These remedies are often produced without any scientific evidence to support the manufacturer’s claim.
Talk With Your Oncologist
The importance of discussing herbal remedies with your oncologist before buying or trying them cannot be stressed enough.
All too often patients hide the supplements and herbs they want to take from their doctor. Your oncologist has your best interest at heart and only wants to protect you from potentially harmful interactions. In many cases, your doctor will give their approval to take herbal remedies after you complete treatment.
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. People say I look better now than before I got sick. I’m sure this Moringa had something to do with it.
Billy K., pleural mesothelioma survivor
You can also inquire about joining a clinical trial that is investigating an herb in combination with cancer treatment. These trials are not common, but they do closely monitor patients for harmful interactions. They take the precautions necessary to prevent unwanted side effects such as testing herbs for contaminants before administration.
A common misconception is that natural products can’t be harmful or that they are always safe to combine with pharmaceutical medications. Many natural substances, such as arsenic and tobacco, are poisonous and carcinogenic. The effects of herbs can range from mild to potent depending on the person taking them and the medications they are using.
It is wise to thoroughly research the herbs you want to try and take your research to your oncologist. This allows your doctor to advise you with as much information as possible.
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