BEYOND IMAGININGS

Cancer's definition - malignant tumor: a malignant tumor or growth caused when cells multiply uncontrollably, destroying healthy tissue. The different forms are sarcomas, carcinomas, leukemias, and lymphomas.

Abnormal cell growth - the distinctive characteristic of cancer - is generally thought to be the consequence of a number of factors prevalent in our world today. These include exposure to toxins such as hormones or pesticides in our foods, immune deficiencies, or genetic susceptibility.

Depression and the absence of ties to family and friends may be key components in lowering our immunity to this disease.  The first step is to be informed.  Participate proactively in the fight against the cancer.  Learn all there is to know about the illness to make informed, competent life decisions. 

http://www.cancer.gov (National Cancer Institute)

Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are the traditional cancer treatments accepted by conventional medicine today. Studies have shown that activating the body's own natural healing mechanisms can help in boosting the immune system, decreasing the growth of tumors, and even shrinking them. A number of alternative therapies can enhance the treatment of cancer holistically. Herbs, antioxidants, ozone therapy, creative expression, support groups, and exercise - to name a few - are among these alternative therapies.

Providing emotional support helps people better cope with cancer and its challenges, providing an outlet for talking and venting strong emotions, which reduces stress.

Eat healthy. Organic and whole foods, including raw vegetables and fruits, nuts, seeds, grains, and oils such as olive and flaxseed - along with plenty of fiber and plenty of water to remove waste and flush toxins from the body - are all important factors in the development and treatment of cancer. Some studies have shown that a macrobiotic diet, which emphasizes natural, unprocessed foods, is also beneficial for the treatment of cancer. (Again, do research to become well-informed.)

Herbal Remedies

Mistletoe: Boosts the immune system, and may be useful in decreasing the side effects of standard anti-cancer therapy, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and it may protect the immune system from certain drugs.

Astragalus: Contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage caused by free radicals, byproducts of cellular energy. Astragalus is used to protect and support the immune system. Researchers have investigated astragalus as a possible treatment for people whose immune systems have been compromised by chemotherapy or radiation.

Ginkgo: Components: ginkgolides (improves circulation to the brain and stimulates the immune system).

Echinacea: An important natural immune booster as it triggers the production of interferon and properdin - two protein substances that help to fight both viruses and bacteria.

Ginger: Found to reduce the severity of nausea during chemotherapy.

Ginseng: Components: ginsenosides (thought to promote protein synthesis by the liver, breaking down stress-inducing chemicals in the body); Saponosides (help the body to metabolize sugar); Panacene (strengthens the cardiovascular system).

Essiac (an herbal formula that relieves pain and may reduce tumors): This herb formula may help normalize body systems by cleansing the blood, purging toxic build up, promoting cell repair and aiding in effective assimilation and elimination.

Ozone Therapy: The method of infusing the blood with oxygen, slowing down or even stalling the growth of tumors, which are sensitive to oxygen, and aiding in the production of white blood cells to help fight disease.

Creative Expression: Accessing strong emotions, and providing a creative avenue to express them, in the form of writing, music and movement, and the visual arts, can help people to reduce stress, and can lead to furthering their personal growth and sense of well-being.

Alternative/Integrative/ Holistic Therapies for Optimum Well-Being

TERMINOLOGY

Holistic

Sometimes spelled wholistic, it targets the whole person - mind, body, and spirit. Holistic medicine considers not only physical health but also the emotional, spiritual, social, and mental well-being of the person.

Organic Food

Food from plants and animals that have been grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, and without antibiotics, growth hormones, and feed additives. In 2003, the US government specified standards for labeling a food organic.

Botanical Medicine

The use of plants for medicinal purposes, generally in the form of tinctures or powders. Also called ‘herbal medicine'. Many plant substances are powerful medicines. Where many traditional drugs may only address a single problem, botanical medicines are able to address a variety of problems simultaneously. Their organic qualities make botanicals compatible with the body's own chemistry; therefore, they can be gently effective with few toxic side effects.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy is used to diagnose and treat people using natural therapies such as nutrition, supplements, herbal medicine and homeopathy. The philosophy of naturopathic medicine is to focus on helping the body to heal itself. A distinctively natural approach to health and healing, Naturopathic Medicine recognizes the validity of the whole person, emphasizing the treatment of disease through the stimulation, enhancement, and support of the inherent capacity of the body to heal itself. Treatments are selected to work with the patient's vital force, respecting the wisdom in the course of natural healing - using nature's healing power.

Symptoms are the means by which the body attempts to heal, but are not the cause of disease, and disease does not occur without cause. Symptoms, therefore, should not be veiled by treatment. The causes must be discovered and removed, or treated, before a person can recover completely from illness.

First do no harm... Illness is the result of a root cause. During the process of healing, symptoms are generated and are, in fact, an expression of the life force trying to heal itself. Any therapies should compliment and be in sync with this healing. Therefore, anthing done to camouflage symptoms without removing the root cause is considered harmful and is avoided or minimized.

The major role of a physician is to educate and encourage patients to take responsibility for their health, and to instill hope and understanding. It is the patient who ultimately heals his/herself. Any health care system's goal should be prevention, and the promotion of lifestyles and habits that create good health. The emphasis is on building health rather than on fighting disease.

Earthen Blog © makes every attempt to provide current information, intending to complement, not replace, the counsel of your physician/prescriber. You should seek advice from your health-care professional, who can best determine your unique needs, symptoms, and treatment, before using any of the information contained here.