Melanoma Treatment: Herbs

Herbs have been used in the treatment of Melanoma, and the management of its side effects for over 50 years. In fact, herbs have been used in many forms of medicine like Chinese, Indian, African, and other for centuries to treat cancer, or symptoms of cancer.

Herbs Used In Treatment of Melanoma

A variety of herbs have been used in the treatment of melanoma. In some cases, scientific studies have shown a positive effect of using the herb as a treatment, or a part of an overall treatment protocol. In other cases, while there have been no scientific studies demonstrating a positive effect, many cancer patients have used these herbs and believed them to be helpful. Typically, these herbs are considered helpful in the treatment of melanoma because they can sometimes stop the growth of melanoma tumors, or stop the spreading of melanoma throughout the body (i.e. they have an “antiproliferative effect”). Here are some of the most popular herbs used in the treatment of melanoma.

• Maitake mushroom extract boosts the immune system and can help to either limit or reverse tumor growth. It is also said to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy and lower some side effects of anti-cancer drugs, such as hair loss, pain, and nausea.
• EGCG
• Cordycepts
• Chinese Dandelion Root
• Genistein
• Curcumin

Herbs Used In Managing Side-effects from Melanoma Treatments

There are many side effects and complications that come from melanoma, and more importantly, from some of the drug and medical treatments commonly used in fighting melanoma. Some side effects and herbs that could be helpful in managing them:

• Low Blood Cell Counts: Many treatments can affect the body's ability to produce enough blood cells such as red cells, white cells and platelets. Chemotherapies, in particular, will kill both cancer cells and "good" cells. It does not differentiate between the two types of rapidly dividing cells--it attacks all of them. During chemotherapy, your body's ability to naturally produce the "good" cells is hampered. There exist herbs that may be helpful in stimulating the production of these blood cells.
• Nausea: Some melanoma treatments can cause nausea. Some nausea is the result of your body's immediate reaction to the treaments. Other nausea is a result of your body's detoxifying organs (liver, kidneys, bladder) becoming overwhelmed with the large burden of toxin and waste that can be produced during treatment. Different herbs can help with each type of nausea associated with melanoma treatments.
• Pain: Pain and discomfort are a common side effect of melanoma treatments. While there are a variety of pain medication that your doctor may give you, several herbs have been shown to be helpful in pain management while undergoing treatment for melanoma.

Herbs Used In Prevention of Melanoma

A variety of herbs have been used for the purpose of melanoma prevention. In some cases they are used in prevention only because they may help prevent a primary melanoma tumor from forming, however, they may not have any positive effect once that tumor has already formed. Some herbs, however, can be helpful with prevention and treatment.