liver cancer

Herbal Remedies For Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is a serious and life-threatening disease. So, you have to take it seriously and take appropriate measures in strict consultation with your doctor, be it conventional therapy or herbal remedies.

It helps to have the support of family and friends. Get the prognosis of your case from your doctor and plan for all eventualities. Here are some herbal remedies that you can try, preferably in tandem with other conventional therapies.

American Ginseng

American ginseng is obtained from the root of Panax quinquefolius. The active ingredients in its extract are ginsenoside and polysaccharides, which boost your immune system and thus help in fighting against the cancer cells.

The dose is 200 mg twice daily. Side effects include lowered blood sugar, nervousness, insomnia, headache and rapid heart rate. It can have harmful drug interactions, particularly with blood thinners.

Garlic

Garlic pills are made from the bulbs of the plant Allium sativum. The sulphur-containing compounds present in garlic, called allicin and alliin, inhibit the growth and spread of the cancer cells. However, these claims are based mainly on animal studies.

The dose is 5-25 g of cooked or fresh garlic per week. It is very safe, with the side effects being bad breath, burning sensation in mouth or stomach, gas, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice extracted from Curcuma aromatica. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which possesses anticarcinogenic properties because it is an antioxidant and it prevents the growth of new blood vessels that can supply to cancer cells.

The dose can range from 1000-2000 mg of turmeric root daily, in divided doses, containing 50-200 mg of curcumin. Side effects include allergic reactions, stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle extract is obtained from the seeds and aerial parts of the plant Silybum marianum. The active ingredients which possess anticancer properties are the flavonoids silibinin and silymarin.

These compounds have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells and also cause their death. The dose is 230-600 mg/day of silymarin, in 2-3 divided doses. The side effects include allergic reactions, headache, itching, stomach upset, heartburn, diarrhea and joint pains.

Grape Skin

Grape skin, or the outside layer of grape (Vitis vinifera), contains the polyphenol resveratrol, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells and also promotes their self-destruction.

Resveratrol is also found in pine trees, red wine and certain vines. Check the product label for dosage. There is insufficient data on its side effects, though it is by and large safe at recommended doses.

Baikal Skullcap

Baikal skullcap extract is got from the root of the plant Scutellaria baicalensis. The active ingredient of the extract is baicalein, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells and also leads to the death of cancer cells.

Check the product label for its dosage. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue and headache.

Danshen

Danshen extract is derived from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza. The active ingredient is salvianolic acid B, which acts by improving the liver function. Check product label for dosage. Side effects can include itching, stomach upset, drowsiness and dizziness.