Side Effects of Chemo

Home Remedies to Combat the Side Effects of Chemo
Chemotherapy can kill cancer, but it can also bring in a slew of side effects including nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, digestive problems and more.

Ginger
Relieves: Nausea and an upset stomach

If your stomach feels unsettled, you’re not alone: Post-treatment nausea and vomiting are reported by up to 70 percent of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. If you’re among the unlucky majority, give ginger a try to soothe your stomach, says Stewart Fleishman, M.D., author of Learn to Live Through Cancer. It can also help treat nausea and diarrhea and can stimulate your appetite by kick-starting digestive juices and saliva. A study of mostly women undergoing chemotherapy found that patients who took a daily ginger supplement suffered significantly less nausea, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

How-To: One nausea-preventing dose ranges from 250 milligrams to 1 gram of ginger powder mixed with liquid taken multiple times in the day, not to exceed the maximum daily adult dose of 5 grams, according to the American Cancer Society. You can also sip ginger tea, cook with it or try ginger lozenges, says Fleishman.

Peppermint (for Nausea)
Peppermint is a natural stomach soothing herbal remedy. Try a couple drops of peppermint extract in a glass of water to ease stomach discomfort after chemotherapy. This herbal remedy is easier than most for children undergoing chemotherapy.

Burdock (Blood Purifier)
This herbal remedy drives chemotherapy toxins from the body. Chemotherapy fills the body with toxins to kill cancer cells. Unfortunately these toxins have a negative effect on the rest of the human body as well. Burdock causes profuse sweating to drive toxins out of the body.

Sweating (to Release Toxins)
Many toxins are only released from the body through sweat glands. Exercise is essential for this natural remedy. Another good way to induce sweating is with a sauna. If a sauna is not available, try eating hot peppers or running a hot shower while behind closed bathroom doors.

Aloe (Soothe Stomach and Intestines)
Aloe Vera is a natural remedy for sunburns, cuts and scrapes. One of the side effects of chemotherapy is damage to the stomach and intestines. Aloe Vera juice can be purchased from the health food store as a natural drink. This home remedy heals the stomach and intestines of chemotherapy patients.

Omega 3 (Strengthen Immune System)
No natural remedy article is complete without the mention of Omega 3. This amino acid supplement comes in convenient capsule form. It will strengthen an immune system weakened by the side effects of chemotherapy.

Omega 3 is available in vegetarian form as well as the traditional fish oil capsules.

Antioxidants (Strengthen Immune System)
Chemotherapy kills cancer cells. Unfortunately it also kills everything else. This is why Omega 3 and antioxidants are so important as natural remedies for chemotherapy side effects. Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables fight free radicals and strengthen the immune system.