Does anyone here used or consumed herbal supplements or tea like Turmeric?

[geekyandaloof]

During my days with cancer, I've read that turmeric is helpful for cancer patients going thru chemo and it promotes cancer cell death. Has anyone here tried that, or other type of herbal tea or supplements? and if so.. kindly share your experience.

[Taichipat]

Don't know whether helpful or not. We all try our best without really knowing whether something is working or not. If I feel like a milky drink I have hot milk with honey, pinch of turmeric and pinch of cinnamon. Try it, really comforting. Also High Strength B6 and High Strength Vit E to support cells. Heard about these vits on this forum. Checked with my Consultant and she said these were ok.

As far as effectiveness goes, who knows?

Patx

[Be-Positive]

I wouldn't start taking anything until checking with your main consultant. My mum started taking vitamins with added iron and we happened to mention it to the dietitian and they told her to stop taking it and check with consulatant. After speaking to the consultant she said to stop taking it as it can have an affect on how well the chemo works. Definitely check first if I were you, they like to know everything you are taking as substitutes to normal living.

Good luck.

[Lovis]

Dear Lovey, You are quite right about turmeric. I take turmeric every day even through chemotherapy which I'm going through again for the 3rd time. It's a marvellous anti-inflammatory. You can read my history on my profile. I'm now taking herbs and spices much more seriously than I did. I take something called MGN-3 or Biobran which has enzymes from the shitake mushroom now. I've also heard Reishi is good.

Lovis x

[Hidden]

I have read somewhere that an onc has said that its okay if you feel you need to take a supplement but you dont take it four days before or four days after treatment. I do sprinkle tumeric on whatever savoury dish I am eating but sometimes if you are on treatment, the tummy can get more upset. So maybe in moderation. I understand in USA that large doses of Vit C are recommended so it does differ. I would take an odd green tea with manuka honey but gone off that at the moment.

[HopeP]

I have no idea at all whether any of these things help, bit psychologically I feel I am helping myself by supplementing my diet with recommended items like turmeric, Vit c, and shiitake mushroom powder.

I would always check with your oncologist if he/she is happy with this.

Mine seems to be pretty relaxed with anything as he dosen't believe they do any good or harm!!!

I do believe a really healthy diet has to be good for us to help fight off infections etc so how can natural supplements like those mentioned above be detrimental??

Penny Brohn Cancer Care gives good advice on this subject.

[annieH1]

BHi Geekyandaloof,Inwas taking turmeric also but Imread recently on the net that women with ovarian cancer should seek advice b4 taking turmeric as it can can affect the hormones which are affected by O.C and might cause cancer cells to spread.I don't know how true that is but. I'm seeing my oncologist tmrw with results of last scan while on Avastin ,so I'll ask him about the turmeric

[geekyandaloof in reply to annieH1]

hi, thanks and please update us all here. I'd love to read a foreign doctor's opinion about this too. after my 2 surgeries, I asked my gyne onco if there are foods I'm not allowed to eat and he said nothing.

I am drinking turmeric tea with sprinkle of black pepper 3x a week. I used to drink a liter of this before I had my 2nd surgery. I never had chemo, just 2 surgeries.

[annieH1 in reply to geekyandaloof]

Hi Geekyandaloof.Met my oncologist today and asked him about the Turmeric.He said There isn't a problem taking it but you need a very high dose of it daily and with a high dose it tends to change your skin colour to a yellowish tinge.Also it's difficult for the body to absorb it.He had no problem in me taking it but advices me not to as I would need a high dose and there isn't enough proof that it benefits ovarian cancer.Hope this helps.

[naomi88]

Turmeric and spices are foods and food is the basis of maintaining life. I think is excellent food you can have, it is antioxidant. I would think that cayenne and pepper would be as helpful with the condition that they all are not cooked, but added to food that is on your plate. If you cooked them, spices are not so health promoting. Also using Celtic Salt that provides with rare minerals and having foods reach in Potassium and Selenium, maybe juiced or made broth will help a lot. If you have time to read my activity you may get some ideas from there.

[Hidden]

Hi Geeky. I can't help thinking that this disease we're all burdened with will take all the turmeric & whatever else we hope will cure us & kick them out as sissy. Having said that, I'm sure they do us no harm & if it makes you feel that you're contributing to your healing, then go for it. A friend who also has Ovarian ca, swears by blueberries & has them every day but her OC is now back for a 3rd visit.

Pauline

[geekyandaloof]

yeah I've read that too. higher dose like thru IV. they are doing some tests about that but nothing really is for sure right now. it really sucks you know, how much of a backstabber is cancer. my cousin is well 4 yrs ago, she had her treatment and all then today she is fighting cancer again, a different one. it makes me truly scared. for someone who doesn't have kids yet. that's why i am taking what I think is beneficial.

my doctor did not ask me to have chemo, just 2 surgeries. so there is this fear it will come back.