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Chemo Patients Receive Aide From Ancient Chinese Medicine

Chinese herbalist selling herbs.
Chinese herbalist selling herbs.
Photo credit: 
getty.hu/Barry Austin

Ancient Chinese medicine just may lessen intestinal side effects of chemotherapy treatments in cancer patients by activating gut cell division and lessening inflammation according to a new study conducted in mice.

The research is in the August 18th issue of Science Translation Medicine, published by the AAAS, a non profit science society.

Skull cap and peony flowers blended with licorice and fruit of a buckhorn tree from Huang Qin Tang, an ancient herbal medicine used in China that treats intestinal disorders such as nausea and vomiting.


Just lately a western style phase half trail validated that this medication lessens gut injury caused from chemotherapy in those patients with colon and rectal cancer.

Yung-Chi Cheng along with Wing Lam and associates from the Yale University School of Medicine along with the company PhytoCeotica, Inc., precisely formulated, a lab preparation of the medicine referred to as PHY906 and displayed that the healing reactions of the blended plants emerged from its capability to take aim at many biological processes in mice.

Dr. Cheng stated the reducing way to treat numerous side effects activated by chemotherapy for cancer or problematic disease possibly is not adequate. Accurate studies of the biology of traditional herbal medicines, which aim at numerous sites with many chemicals could advance to the progress of future medicines.

Dr. Cheng is a scientific initiator of along with equal equity in PhytoCeotica, Inc., expands Chinese medicine into medications for the treatment for cancer and that holds the license for Phy906 from Yale University. Two other writers for this study own stock in PhytoCeotica, Inc. Yale University has the patten on the herbal design PHY906 and its use in chemotherapy.

Researchers for this study had treated mice who had cancer with chemotherapy, which had reduced the tumors but had caused immense devastation in the intestinal lining of the mice. After a couple of days being treated with PHY906, the medicine rebuilt the damaged intestinal linings within the mice. The researchers had discovered that stem cell signaling molecules (Wnts) were existing in higher than usual levels in the guts of the treated mice. Upon closer observation the researchers found that PHY906 alone did not activate Wnt signaling, but by combining PHY906 with a bacterial enzyme usually in the gut activated Wnt signaling which compels the replacement of the damaged intestinal stem cells with healthy ones.

Along with the replenishment of healthy gut cells, the herbal medicine obstructed the movement of inflammatory cells to the gut and lessened the inflammation reactions that appear to be produced by numerous actions of PHY906. These findings advocate that traditional Chinese medicine possibly could be an ideal way for drug creators that are anxiously testing blends of agents in hopes they will work better than anyone of them by their self.

Dr. Chen had stated they will continue to perfect the methods to better study and comprehend the complex nature of herbal medicines. Visiting history again may bring them to finding future medicines.

Phy906 is only available to those in the clinical trails. The researchers do warn that many herbal products proclaiming to be Huang Qin Tang possibly could have dangerous or non effective substitutions and should just be avoided.

The side effects of chemotherapy can include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, itchy skin, hearing changes, muscle weakness and pain. Many persons seek relief from the side effects of conventional cancer treatments. Below are a few alternative treatments.

Chinese Medicine

Chinese herbs and acupuncture are used to help patients with side effects of chemotherapy. Herbs such as Haung Qi, peony and honeysuckle are the foremost herbs used for energy, providing nourishment to the blood. A Chinese practitioner will most of the times prescribe a herbal formula which is based on each individual patient. Acupuncture point Neiguan is usually effective to help aide in reduction of nausea and vomiting.

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care
is one of the top alternatives for patients with cancer pain. It reduces pain levels and suffering in cancer patients. Along with improvement in patients overall health. One system of chiropractic used is Gonstead. Gonstead locates the spinal misalignment in the spinal backbone and then precisely and with gentleness is adjusted. The segment is manually put back into place by removing the misalignment. The pressure then is removed from the nerve and joint functioning becomes restored. The nerve functioning restored and the path of the particular nerve is once again transmitting signals and receiving the electrical impulses which it normally should be doing. End reaction is health is again restored.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy helps alleviates stress, anxiety, helps improve patients mood, provides relaxation and help to control pain levels. The most common type used for usually for chemotherapy patients is Swedish massage. Before having massage therapy it should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner due to the fact some patients can be at a higher risk of infection, have anemia or bruise easily.

Reiki

Reiki is a type of Japanese spiritual healing. It promotes health and helps to achieve well being. Reiki practitioners draw on the “reiki energy” and distributing it to areas the patient needs. The treatments can last up to one hour. Some patients state they feel relaxed or invigorated after these treatments.

Some local practitioners in or near the Detroit area:

Acupuncture and Healing Arts

1120 North Washington Avenue
Royal Oak
248-544-2022

Detroit Community Acupuncture
4100 Woodward
Detroit
313-831-3222

A & L Chiropractic Center (Gonstead)
24281 Middlebelt Road
Middlebelt Corners
Farmington Hills
248-477-3977

Vesprini Chiropractic (Gonstead)
12918 East Eight Mile Road
Detroit
313-527-7070

A Garden of Eden (massage)
221 Monroe Street
Detroit
313-544-3714

Engagement Therapy and Day Spa

Detroit
313-283-0214

Woven Woman (Reiki)
6934 Ternes Street
313-204-1559
Dearborn

 

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, Detroit Alternative Medicine Examiner

Author Debbie Nicholson resides in Michigan. Ms. Nicholson is the author of the "Love and Laughter" series ...

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