An integrative medicine approach to palliative care

Click on a symptom below to learn about effective treatment options.

The symptoms listed above are commonly experienced by cancer patients. However, the symptoms discussed on this page are not unique to cancer patients. For that reason, this page serves as a resource for people managing other serious health concerns (diabetes, heart disease, COPD, dementia, ext.)

Walter Tsang MD is a medical oncologist in Banning, California. Dr. Tsang treats cancer patients at Redlands Community Hospital.

This article is intended to be used as a general educational resource. Please consult with your physician in regards to the best treatment for your particular medical situation.

How do we treat depression in palliative care?

The standard treatment for depression is some combination of psychological therapy and anti-depressant drugs.

Anti-depressants

The most common prescription anti-depressants are Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin Nor-epinephrine Re-uptake Inhibitors (SNRI). These drugs work by raising serotonin and nor-epinephrine levels in our brains. Popular brands include: Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, Celexa and Cymbalta. SSRIs and SNRIs are effective for some patients, but certainly not for everyone. Its difficult to give an exact number for the success rate (efficacy) of these drugs because each published report is different. From everything I’ve read, I think a fair approximation is 50% efficacy. About half the people on anti-depressants report improvements.

Alternative approach to treating depression

Some of the more popular natural products used to combat depression include: St. John’s wort, SAMe, valerian and rhodiola.

SAMe is an abbreviation for S-Adenosyl-L-methionine. This is a chemical found naturally in the body. SAMe is made in the body from methionine, an amino acid found in many proteins. It is known to help many of our cells function normally. Scientists observed that people suffering from depression also had abnormal levels of SAMe. This led to the idea that depression could be reduced by supplementation with SAMe capsules. Unfortunately, it is not clear whether this supplement is significantly helpful for depression. About 40 studies have been performed. Some of them did show improvements in regards to the severity of depression. However, these trials need to be repeated with larger sample sizes and they need to be conducted for longer periods of time.

St. John’s Wort is a small herb with yellow flowers that is routinely used to treat depression. Many studies show that St. John’s wort works as well as traditional antidepressants for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression. Interestingly, St. John’s wort also has fewer side effects than most antidepressants. However, it should be noted that St. John’s wort can react poorly with certain chemotherapy drugs and birth control drugs. If you’re currently on other medications, then consult with a physician before using this plant.

Valerian, ginkgo, rhodiola and saffron are additional plant-based supplements used to combat depression. However, in our opinion, there is insufficient evidence to support the claim that these approaches are effective.

5-HTP, a serotonin precursor molecule, is also used to alleviate depression. Although, we are also not aware of any large studies performed to verify the effectiveness of 5-HTP for depression.

Therapy methods used to combat depression

Depression is a very personal and emotional condition. Each person has their own struggle and each person is walking around with their own unique brain. Everyone has to work through their issues in their own way. Drugs or herbs are not always the answer.

Below we list some of the most effective psychological methods in regards to relieving depression.

• One-on-one psychological therapy – classic psychotherapy, delivered over 6-8 weeks, patients often prefer this method
• Cognitive behavioral therapy – seeks to identify and re-structure the thought/action patterns that cause emotional distress
• Interpersonal therapy – focuses on the patient’s personal relationships and interactions with other people
• Dignity therapy – aims to strengthen a patient’s sense of meaning and purpose at the end of life, reduces existential crisis
• Mindfulness-based therapy – uses meditation, breathing techniques and yoga to help patients focus on their thoughts and feelings

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Integrative approach to treat fatigue

Ideally, you want to identify the source of your fatigue and then eliminate that source.

That said, finding the root cause can of fatigue can be a real challenge. Part of the problem is that fatigue is usually multi-factorial. This means that fatigue is often caused by many different factors. Infection, insomnia, anemia, chemotherapy, radiation, depression, organ dysfunction and chronic pain are all contributing factors. This multi-factorial aspect is part of the reason conventional medicine has a tough time treating fatigue.

Talk to your physician about which habits or health issues may be contributing to your fatigue. For example, we know that anemia can cause fatigue. If you think anemia might be causing your fatigue, you’ll want to focus your diet on foods that are rich in iron and vitamins.

Prescription drugs used for fatigue

Most of the prescription drugs used to treat fatigue are some sort of stimulant. Conventional fatigue drugs include methylphenidate (Ritalin), modafinil (Provigil), pemoline and donazepil. Modafinil, for example, is a classic stimulant. This drug acts by inhibiting GABA signals in our brain and activating our excitatory neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine and nor-epinephrine).

Many people who experience fatigue are also depressed. Interestingly, some people find that a low dose of an anti-depressant can improve their sleep and also reduce fatigue. Bupropion is an example of an anti-depressant that’s studied for its ability to treat fatigue. Inflammation can also contribute to fatigue. For this reason, treatment with an anti-inflammatory drug, such as dexamethasone, has also shown the ability to reduce fatigue.

Lifestyle changes to address fatigue

A healthy diet can dramatically improve daily energy levels. Heath care professionals often suggest avoiding sweets (refined sugars) as this high-sugar type of food can lead to energy crashes throughout the day. A low-carbohydrate diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables is strongly recommended. For reference, here is a thorough list of nutrient-dense foods. These foods deliver many of the vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein we need in our diet. Many physicians also recommend adding probiotics to your diet. A healthy gut microbiome appears to be linked to energy levels and fatigue.

Drinking coffee is fine and often necessary for many people to fully wake up. But, make sure you don’t over do it. Try to stop drinking coffee at noon. You don’t want caffeine to interfere with your 8 hours of sleep.

Speaking of sleep, you really need to get those 8 hours of sleep. I realize this is a challenge for many people, but it is so critical. If you’re a light sleeper, try earplugs and white noise. I’ve found the sound of rain at low volume (from my phone speaker) helps keep me in a deep sleep. When all else fails, you can try a supplement or pharmaceutical. Melatonin, valerian and ambien are some of the more common sleeping aids.

Exercise seems to be one of the best non-chemical treatments for fatigue. Even if you’re exhausted, try to fit some cardio workout in at least 3-5 times week. This doesn’t have to involve going to the gym. Fast walking around the neighborhood or office can do the job. When you burn off energy during the day, you increase your chances of getting a good night’s sleep.

Psychological factors also contribute to fatigue. Feeling poorly about yourself is exhausting. Feeling helpless is exhausting. Feeling like your life is spiraling out of control is exhausting. Talking with a counselor or therapist can help you figure out strategies to work around or resolve these psychological issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy and Self-management strategies are two techniques that are specifically effective at treating fatigue..

Medicinal plants used to address fatigue

Treating cognitive decline

Currently, there are no FDA approved drugs to treat mild cognitive impairment. Scientists are aware of several genes that correlate with the onset of Alzheimer’s (apoE4, Aβ42, tau) but we still do not fully understand the cellular mechanisms that cause the disease. However, a series of drugs named cholinesterase inhibitors have been approved to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. These drugs increase the amount of acetylcholine in our brain. Acetylcholine is a naturally occurring messenger chemical that is involved with memory and judgment.

Various herbal and dietary supplements are also thought to limit cognitive decline.

B vitamins are involved in the production of several neurotransmitters in our brain. Specifically, vitamin B12 helps keep our nerve cells and brain functioning properly. A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to nerve problems, dementia, poor memory and cognitive decline. In the case of dementia, we know that vitamin B12 specifically lowers levels of homocysteine levels in the blood. Homocysteine is a modified amino acid that accumulates in the blood of dementia patients.

Vitamin B12 occurs naturally in most animal meats and eggs, although not in plant based foods. Due to this discrepancy, vegetarians often develop deficiencies in vitamin B12. This is why its important to remember that nutritional yeast has high amounts of B12. Most vegetarians are not adverse to sprinkling a little yeast on their salads

Ginkgo biloba has been discussed as a medicinal plant that is effective in reducing the development of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, this plant was found to be ineffective in a large, 3,000 patient clinical study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association

Phosphatidylserine is a naturally occurring substance in the brain. Studies suggest that phosphatidylserine supplementation can increase levels of certain brain chemicals that are involved with attention, language skills and memory in aging people with declining thinking skills. In addition, one report shows phosphatidylserine can improve some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease after 6-12 weeks of treatment. Phosphatidylserine treatment seems to be most effective in people with less severe Alzheimer symptoms.

Grape seeds contain a group of chemicals called polyphenols. These polyphenols (GPSE) are currently being explored for their role in preventing neurodegenerative disorders. These grape seed chemicals seem to interfere with the generation of tau proteins in our neurons. But why do we care about interfering with tau proteins? Well, it turns out that many neurodegenerative disorders, most notably Alzheimer’s disease, are correlated with the build-up of tau proteins in our brain cells. If chemicals in grape seeds can disrupt the accumulation of tau proteins in our brain, then that would be a very big deal in the Alzheimer’s research community.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important for the synaptic proteins in our brain. As we age, we want to make sure that our brain has all the raw materials it needs to build neuronal architecture and also to transmit signals across these neuronal highways. Omega-3s (DHA in particular) are among the more important lipid structures in the brain. These polyunsaturated fatty acids lead to higher synaptic transmission and less oxidative stress. Flaxseed oil and fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel and cod liver) all contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. This paper does a nice job illustrating how the use of omega-3s benefits seniors with mild cognitive impairment.

The MIND diet is a relatively new diet that has gained a lot of respect lately. The objective of the diet is to promote a healthy diet and to lower the risk of neuro-degenerative disease, such as Alzheimer’s. Those are lofty goals for a diet, but apparently the diet meets these goals. A large NIH funded clinical study tested these objectives and found that the MIND diet was good to its word.

The MIND diet was developed by a nutritional epidemiologist at Rush University named Martha Morris. Martha wanted to put together a diet that consisted of only ‘brain healthy’ foods. With funding by the National Institute of Aging, Martha and her team conducted a decade long study of her MIND diet on 923 seniors. The results showed this diet could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 53%. In fact, 35% of the seniors who only followed the diet moderately well also saw a significant reduction in cognitive decline.

The MIND diet is not that difficult to follow. This article describes the components of the diet.

In addition to diets and supplementation, some studies suggest the following lifestyle strategies are also helpful for those dealing with cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment.

• Regular exercise benefits your heart and the blood vessels that nourish your brain.
• Minimize cardiovascular risk factors. Protect your heart and your heart will support your brain function.
• Remain mentally stimulated and socially engaged. Keep flexing your brain muscle!

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Dysgeusia is another reason for appetite loss among patients. This hard-to-pronounce word means there are abnormalities in our sense of taste. In fact, more than half of patients treated for cancer report that food tastes different. Your desire to eat food will definitely change if your taste buds are acting funny.

Here are some simple ways to encourage eating during palliative care:

• Eat frequent, small meals. This is easier than 1 large meal.
• Cook your favorite meals with family and friends.
• Exercise lightly during the day.
• Try drinking high protein drinks.

Some people report the following botanical supplements have helped them regain their appetite: Centuary, Blessed thistle and Gentian. We are not aware of any scientific literature supporting the use of these plants to increase appetite.

There is one phase II study showing the ability of Astragali Radix to help cancer patients regain their appetite. Astragali Radix is the woody root of the Astragalus plant (Astragalus membranaceus). This plant has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. It’s considered a potent ‘Chi tonic herb’.

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Integrative approach to nausea

Ginger and relaxation techniques are two common non-prescription drug approaches to nausea.

Ginger is a tropical plant from southeast Asia. The roots of this plant can spice up a stir-fry and deliver medicinal properties. Ginger is often used to address post-surgery nausea, motion sickness and nausea induced by chemotherapy and pregnancy. Multiple clinical trials have demonstrated that taking between 1-2 grams of ginger before surgery can reduce nausea and vomiting during the day after surgery. Another study suggests that taking ginger before anti-retroviral treatments could reduce nausea and vomiting in HIV patients.

Relaxation techniques are another non-traditional approach to managing nausea. The goal of all relaxation techniques is to induce or enhance the body’s own natural relaxation response. This response includes slower breathing, lower blood pressure and an increase in the overall feeling of well-being. There are various forms of relaxation technique. In terms of nausea, research suggests two relaxation techniques are especially helpful: guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation.

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How do we treat anxiety?

If you and your physician agree that you’re experiencing high and harmful levels of anxiety, then it makes sense to take steps to lower your anxiety. Often this can be done by changing your mindset and daily habits. When you feel a panic attack approaching, try to focus your mind on topics unrelated to your illness. Activities like gardening, reading and writing have all shown to lessen anxiety levels.

Often physical cues can bring about panic. Pain and shortness of breath are the two most common physical causes of anxiety in a palliative care scenario. By managing pain and getting more oxygen you could be eliminating a root cause of the problem.

In regards to traditional medication, patients are often prescribed benzodiazepines. This is a popular class of anxiety reducing drugs. Benzodiazepines act on the GABA receptors found on our brain cells. Our GABA brain cells are the part of our brain that calms us down. So it makes sense that a drug that enhances GABA would temper our anxiety. Common benzodiazepines include: Xanax, Ativan, Klonipan and Valium. The downside to these drugs is that they’re often psychologically addictive. This explains why they’re only recommended for 2-4 weeks. SSRI based anti-depressants (Paxil, Ativan, Prozac, ext.) and Buspirone are other prescription drugs used to treat anxiety.

Medicinal plants used to treat anxiety

Herbs have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to combat anxiety. Today, some of the commonly used botanical approaches to anxiety include: St. John’s wort, valerian, lavender and passionflower.

Valerian is sold as a supplement for a range of conditions including: insomnia, depression and anxiety. The valerian supplement is derived from the root of the Valerian plant (Valeriana officinalis). Evidence is mixed in regards to the effectiveness of valerian to treat anxiety. Some small studies demonstrate valerian can help reduce anxiety, while other studies find that valerian treatment is not better than a placebo treatment.

St. John’s wort is a yellow-flowered herb that grows well in temperate climates. The flowering heads of the plant have been used to treat depression and other health issues for many centuries. In general, St. John’s wort has shown to be effective for the treatment of mild to moderate depression. In addition, some reports suggest that taking St. John’s wort alone or in combination with valerian may improve anxiety disorder. However, more work is necessary to confirm this suggestion.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) grows along vines and produces beautiful, intricate flowers. The flower can commonly be seen growing in southern United States. A few studies have shown that passionflower supplements can relieve anxiety as successfully as some benzodiazepines. For example, one small study, performed on 36 patients suffering from general anxiety disorder (GAD), demonstrated that passionflower was as effective as oxazepam. Oxazepam is a common prescription drug used to treat anxiety. More works needs to be done on passionflower and anxiety. The safety of long-term use has not been well established.

Lavender is a fragrant herb native to the Mediterranean region. Lavender has a long history of use as a medicinal plant. Historically, it has been used to boost appetite, mood and relieve anxiety. Many people are also fond of using lavender to help regulate their anxiety. However, there is very little evidence – at this moment – to support the use of lavender for most health issues, including anxiety. That said, one small study on healthy men has shown that an ingested lavender formula could reduce anxiety.

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Why is insomnia so prevalent in palliative care?

Pain and psychological issues are the most common causes for insomnia in palliative care. It’s very difficult to relax and sleep deeply when your body is managing chronic pain and discomfort.

High anxiety can keep you from falling asleep and often leads to nightmares, which can shake people from their sleep. Similarly, depression tends to wake people up early in the morning and lower the overall quality of sleep.

Other contributing factors to insomnia in palliative care include: cytokine levels, cortisol awakening response, coffee use, alcohol use and kidney stress.

Treating insomnia in palliative care.

The first line of defense against insomnia is an attempt to reduce or eliminate the underlying causes of your sleeplessness. If high anxiety is keeping you from getting a good night’s sleep, then you need to take steps to reduce your anxiety. If chronic pain is waking you up at night, then speak with your physician about changing your pain management therapy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is another effective strategy to combat insomnia. Interestingly, recent reports from the NIH reveal that CBT is as effective as sleeping pills for the short-term treatment of insomnia. However, it should be noted that CBT requires the patient to be very proactive. It’s much more work than simply taking a sleeping pill but it has shown to be effective and is worth considering. The focus of CBT is to change your sleep habits and the way you schedule and manage your sleep. Generally, if you’re engaged in CBT for insomnia – you need to make regular visits to a trained therapist. The therapist will help you create a series of sleep assessments. You’re often asked to keep a sleep diary.

Sleeping aids to help combat insomnia

Ambien is one of the most common prescription drugs for insomnia.

Herbal remedies are also worth considering. Patients in palliative care have reported success with valerian and melatonin.

Valerian has been used as a medicinal plant for a long time. This plant was initially described by Hippocrates, the Greek physician regarded as the father of medicine. Today, the roots of this plant are ground up, placed in a capsule and used for the treatment of insomnia, depression, anxiety, ext. Reports on the effectiveness of valerian to treat insomnia are inconsistent, however many people swear by it.

Melatonin is a natural hormone that is produced in our brain. The levels of melatonin activated in our brain changes throughout the day. Melatonin levels naturally rise in the evening and decrease in the morning. Interestingly, turning on a light in the evening can block melatonin production. People with sleep disorders often use melatonin supplements. Some clinical reports have demonstrated the effectiveness of melatonin to improve insomnia conditions.

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How do you treat weight loss?

First of all, you should make an effort to enjoy eating food. Prepare your favorite meals and focus on nutrient-dense foods. That said, its important to remember that you can not simply eat your way out of cachexia.

Palliative care weight loss is largely caused by a shift in metabolic activity, therefore, the single act of packing on more calories won’t reverse the symptoms.

For some patients, prescription drugs such as corticosteroids and megestrol have brought about significant improvement with cachexia. On a short-term time frame, corticosteroids can improve anorexia and weakness in cancer patients. Progestational drugs, like megestrol, demonstrate the ability to increase fat tissue, improve appetite and enhance the general well-being of patients with AIDS or late-stage cancer. The exact reason that corticosteroids and megestrol improves these symptoms remains unclear.

Alternative approach to treating treat weight loss

Various herbal and dietary supplements are commonly used to treat cachexia. First of all, the use of cannabinoids has certainly helped some patients regain their appetite and diminish nausea.

WebMD also lists the following supplements as possibly effective for the treatment of cachexia:

Adenosine

Adenosine is a naturally occurring chemical in our body. It forms part of the critical ATP molecule. ATP (adenosine tri-phosphate) delivers energy to our cells and helps regulate our metabolism. Use of adenosine may help reverse weight loss associated with cancer.

Fish oil

Fish oil can be administered with a fish oil supplement or simply by eating fish.

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs)

MCTs are fats that are partially man-made. They are generally formed by processing fats found in palm oil or coconut oil. MCTs can be given intravenously to reduce weight loss/muscle mass in critically ill patients.

Sidenote: When WebMD lists a supplement as possibly effective, it means that ‘reputable scientific references suggest that the product might work for a specific use … and at least one study (in humans) found that the product might be effective’.

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Botanical-based creams for radiation dermatitis

A sandalwood and turmeric based topical cream has shown, in a pilot clinical study, to reduce the development of radiation dermatitis. Here you can find a similar turmeric skin cream.

Curcumin is the main biologically active ingredient in turmeric. Another clinical study demonstrated that oral intake of curcumin (up to 6 grams daily) during radiation therapy reduced the severity of radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients. This study was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial.

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) and neem oil also reduced skin toxicity from head and neck radiation in a separate clinical study. This study was a single arm observational study. You can read this study in more detail here.

Melatonin has also demonstrated effectiveness in treating radiation dermatitis. A published report shows how a melatonin-based cream can help reduce dermatitis caused by breast radiation. This particular report was a phase II double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

In the past, aloe ointment was commonly used for radiation dermatitis. However, a recent phase III clinical trial, performed in 2015, showed that there was no significant benefit in aloe ointment therapy. In fact, the aloe ointment treatment produced a response that was comparable to simply keeping your skin dry with powder.

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How do you reduce gas and bloating?

Nobody wants to deal with persistent gas and bloating. Managing your illness is enough of a struggle, you don’t want to suffer through indigestion as well.

Probiotics seem to be an effective strategy to help manage these symptoms. Under normal circumstances, our gut is populated with lots of micro-organisms. This is normal. Most of these microbes are friendly bacteria that help us digest food. By adding more friendly, healthy bacteria to your gut, you often improve your overall digestion. Two of the most studied probiotic bacteria species are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. Probiotic foods contain those bacteria and other friendly bacteria.

Here are some classic probiotic foods you can find in most grocery stores.

• pickles
• kimchi
• tempeh
• yogurt
• miso

Probiotics are also available as a dietary supplement. Depending on your eating preferences, a capsule based supplement could be an easier and more consistent way to maintain healthy gut flora.

In addition, the ginger plant can also be used to break up and release gas. It seems that ginger can also help speed up digestion. This means your stomach will empty and any residual gas will eventually be released out of your lower digestive tract.

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Hot Flash

Hot flashes are temporary moments of warm skin, intense body heat and sweating.

These flashes can be very uncomfortable and are often followed with a lowered body temperature, chills and shivering. The complete biological cause is not fully understood. However, we do know that our sex hormones do have an effect on our body temperature. For example, as women transition into menopause, their estrogen levels change and this can lead to hot flashes. Some evidence suggests that wearing tight clothes, feeling stressed and consuming alcohol, spicy foods or caffeine can also trigger a hot flash.

Hot flashes are common in cancer care and other palliative care scenarios. We know that treatments for breast cancer and prostate cancer lead to hormonal changes that can induce severe hot flashes. Specifically, breast cancer treatments that include tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors can cause a hot flash reaction. In fact, 80% of women receiving tamoxifen report hot flashes. In men, testicle removal surgery or hormonal therapy (androgen, GRH, estrogen) leads to hot flashes.

How do you manage hot flashes?

Some patients are eligible for estrogen-replacement therapy. This treatment can eliminate hot flashes, however many cancer treatment plans will not allow for estrogen-replacement. Other conventional hot flash treatments include anti-depressants, anti-convulsants, clonidine and megestrol.

Patients that maintain a journal of their hot flash patterns can often figure out their triggers. If you document the severity and duration of your hot flash episodes you should be able to connect the symptom with the daily habits that caused it. Some patients have found that hot showers, hot weather and smoking cigarettes are hot flash triggers.

Other patients have reported improvement in regards to hot flash severity after practicing hypnotherapy and mindfulness meditation. Research on these lifestyle practices is only preliminary, but some studies have had promising results. In contrast, acupuncture does not seem to help.

Many natural products have been studied for menopause symptoms. However, there is no herbal supplement or dietary change has clearly shown to be helpful for hot flash symptoms.

Some people have reported that increasing phyto-estrogens in their diet (soy, flax-seed, ext.) has helped with hot flash symptoms. However, we are not aware of any clinical trials to support that claim.

Likewise, some people use Black Cohosh, DHEA and Dong Quai to help with hot flashes, however the data is very mixed in terms of the effectiveness of these supplements for this particular application.

A few studies suggest Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids (EPA from fish oil) can help reduce the severity of hot flash symptoms. For example, in one study, women taking vitamin E averaged one fewer hot flash per day.

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Alternative treatment for neuropathy

Herbal remedies for neuropathy include capsaicin and primrose oil.

Capsaicin is the spicy substance found in hot peppers. You can apply a capsaicin based cream to the affected areas on your body. There may be a slight burning sensation when you apply the capsaicin cream, but this should lessen over time.

Evening primrose oil has also shown the ability to reduce neuropathy pain among diabetics.

In addition, some chemotherapy patients report improvements upon using acetyl-L-carnitine, an amino acid supplement.

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How do you reduce this unpleasant swelling?

Ideally, you and your physician can identify the root cause of the fluid buildup. If one particular medication is causing edema, then hopefully you can find a suitable substitute.

Your physician may also be able to recommend a prescription diuretic. A diuretic drug should help rid your body of extra fluid.

In terms of lifestyle changes, often a small change to your diet can make a big difference. In general, a healthy and low-salt diet helps reduce swelling. The use of compression socks are also helpful for some folks suffering from peripheral edema.

A healthy heart can also minimize the effects of edema. A robust heartbeat helps push fluids around your body. This will keep fluids from pooling up in the extremities of your body. You can keep your heart pumping by maintaining a regular routine of daily exercise.

You can also explore the option of herbal diuretics. Certain plants help reduce body fluid levels. However, it’s also possible to lose vitamins and minerals with diuretics, so take caution and talk to your provider before trying a herbal diuretic.

The dandelion plant (Taraxacum officinale) is used as a herbal diuretic. But be aware, this plant may also interact with other medications (blood thinners, antibiotics, lithium, ext.)

Grape seed extract and bilberry are two additional botanical sources regarded as useful for edema.

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Urinary health

On occasion, the urinary tract can become infected, leading to a urinary tract infection (UTI). This symptom mostly affects women and older men. Patients that are negotiating neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimers, can also develop UTIs.

Any scenario where you are not completely emptying your bladder can potentially lead to an UTI. If urine is pooled up in your bladder, eventually bacteria will begin to grow in the stagnant fluid. An enlarged prostate, diminished muscle strength around the bladder, lack of estrogen in women and a weakened immune system can all contribute to an improperly functioning bladder, which can then lead to an UTI. Each year, there is a staggering 8 million doctor visits that are related to UTIs.

How do you maintain urinary health?

Antibiotics are often the first line of defense against UTIs, especially when severe symptoms are present. However, antibiotics are not the only treatment option.

First of all, make sure you are drinking lots of water. Water flushes out your system and this will help clean out your urinary tract.

In addition, maintain a diet that is high in Vitamin C. High levels of Vitamin C will raise the acidity of your urine. Most bacteria do not like an acidic environment and so this will limit their growth.

Medicinal plants used to treat urinary tract infections

Herbs that are effectively used to maintain urinary health include: bearberry leaf and goldenseal.

Bearberry leaf (Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi) is a small, bushy plant that grows in the northern latitudes. This plant is often used in response to lower urinary tract infections.

The goldenseal plant contains a chemical called berberine. Berberine helps fend off bacteria populations. Reports have shown that berberine is effective at limiting E.coli bacteria from binding to the walls of the urinary tract.

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How do you treat dry mouth?

If you cannot terminate the treatment that is causing your dry mouth, then the best you can do is manage the symptom. Prescription medicines such as Salagen and Evoxac can stimulate your salivary glands to produce more spit. You can also use a mouth rinse that acts as a substitute for saliva, such as carmellose or hyprolose. Chewing sugarless gum is another simple trick that can keep your mouth moist.

In order to minimize other mouth issues while you negotiate your dry mouth symptom, you should do your best to maintain dental hygiene. Brush after each meal with a soft toothbrush, rinse your mouth with salt and baking soda 5-7 times daily, drink lots of water, avoid mouthwashes with alcohol. Visit your dentist for more advice.

Cayenne pepper and fennel seeds are two botanical sources used to treat dry mouth. These are cheap and simple home remedies that help increase saliva in your mouth.

Some people take a pinch of ground cayenne pepper and simply rub it around their mouth and tongue. Or you can use cayenne as a seasoning with your meals; the pepper adds a spicy flavor to any salad, soup or meat dish.

Fennel seeds are commonly chewed after a meal to cleanse the palette and freshen one’s breath. You often see a bowl of fennel seeds near the cash register at Indian restaurants. Fennel seeds are also used to reduce dry mouth. There are flavonoids in fennel seeds that can help stimulate the flow of saliva in your mouth. Give it a try!

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How do you treat mucositis?

First of all, you want to keep this damaged tissue clean. Frequent rinsing with an anti-septic mouth wash will help. You can try Peridex or Periogard. You can also create your own mouth rinse. Mix up 8 ounces of water and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. This rinse will help keep your throat clean.

To counter the effects of a dry mouth, try chewing on ice chips or chewing on sugar-free gum.

If sores in your mouth and throat become infected – you can gargle with a homemade cleaning solution. Mix up 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 2 cups of water. Do NOT swallow this mixture. Gargle and spit it out.

The pain and discomfort of mucositis can be managed by chewing ice chips to numb the mouth. If you need stronger pain relief, consider a topical pain remedy (lidocaine,benzocaine, ext.)

Pure natural honey is another great remedy for mucositis. Thick, viscous honey creates a protective barrier around the sensitive tissues in the throat and mouth. Honey also has natural anti-bacterial properties, this helps defend against infection. Here is a study that demonstrates honey can significantly improve mucositis conditions and can also reduce the risk of yeast and bacteria infection. Thanks honey bees!

Mouthwashes can be prepared with other herbs. In general herbal mouthwashes are safe and easy to prepare. We will list some herbs that have demonstrated effectiveness in published clinical trials. Click on each herb to read more details on their respective clinical trial.

• Common Yarrow
• Aloe vera
• Chamomile
• Chamomile plus peppermint
• Turmeric
• Indigowood root
• Coffee plus honey
• Samital

A personal note from Walter Tsang MD: I have recommended people dealing with mucositis to try chamomile tea mouthwash  (with and without honey) and these patients thought it helped.

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