Medicinal plants and their effect on chemotherapy

Worldwide, up to 63 percent of cancer patients use medicinal herbs. Women who suffer from breast cancer are particularly open to naturopathic treatment. However, in addition to her chemotherapy, she also takes medicinal herbs or other complementary medicines, leaving one in two women with her doctor. This is dangerous!

Because also medicinal plants can have side effects. And in a wrong application even cause great damage.

The most important reason for this: The ingredients of some plants influence the so-called bioavailability of preparations used for chemotherapy against malignant tumors. That is, the spread and distribution of these anticancer agents in the body, their breakdown and excretion are altered by the concomitant intake of medicinal plants. This affects the effect doctors want to achieve by administering this chemotherapy.

The effect of medicinal plants in chemotherapy: examples

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

This medicinal plant is contained in ready-to-use medicines in the form of tablets, capsules, dragees or juice, but is also used as a loose herb for teas. It has been shown to treat mild to moderate depression and may also help with menopausal symptoms. Breast cancer patients receiving antihormonal therapy, in particular, resort to it in order to alleviate side effects.

During chemotherapy may St. John's wort in no case be taken: It stimulates an enzyme in the liver, so that the anticancer drug is broken down faster. The concentration of the substance in the blood falls too fast, the agent becomes ineffective. The effect of tamoxifen is also reduced.

Grapefruit juice (Citrus paradisi)

The slightly bitter citrus juice is rich in vitamin C and therefore very healthy. But it also contains substances that block a liver enzyme that is involved in the degradation of drugs. The result is that the concentration of the drug in the blood increases, often many times. This can lead to dangerous side effects.

Grapefruit juice enhances the effects of allergy and heart preparations as well as drugs for chemotherapy. The body is then flooded with the cell toxins. Experts recommend, best no grapefruit juice at allAlso, not timed, when taking any medicine.

Sun hat (Echinacea)

This medicinal plant stimulates the immune system and is used to prevent infections. Cancer patients are therefore often recommended drops or tablets in order to strengthen the weakened by the therapy defenses.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

The valerian root ingredients, the valeric acids, are proven to be calming and relaxing. Dragees, tablets and drops with dry extract are taken from nervous restlessness and sleep disturbances.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

The concentrated dry extract from the leaves of the Ginkgo tree promotes blood circulation in the brain.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

This medicinal plant is known to relieve nausea, nausea and indigestion. It could be good for the side effects of chemotherapy. However, as it alters the effect of the drugs, peppermint tea or oil should not be used during this time.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

The ingredients of ginseng root increase the resistance and strengthen fatigue, weakness and convalescence after serious illnesses. In women whose breast cancer is hormone dependent, ginseng must not be taken because cell growth can be stimulated.

Green tea

This drink was often recommended to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Patients, who drank it, often felt better than without it. However, studies have shown that the ingredients of green tea prevent anticancer agents from entering the tumor cells. The drug is ineffective? therefore his side effect was weaker.

Soy and red clover

Both plants contain so-called phytoestrogens, plant substances such as isoflavones and lignans, which act like hormones in the body. Dietary supplements containing high-dose soy and red clover extracts are said to reduce menopausal symptoms. They should not be taken in combination with antihormonal therapy with tamoxifen. Breast cancer patients whose tumor is hormone receptor-positive, ie sensitive to hormones, may also not use phytoestrogens. These herbal supplements could stimulate the growth of the tumor.

This applies to all medicinal plants and their effects

Breast cancer patients should? especially during chemotherapy? Do not use any medication without first consulting with your doctor.
Depending on origin, type of cultivation, processing (e.g.whether dried leaves, fresh flowers or parts of roots are used) and dosage form, the content of active ingredients in herbal medicines can vary widely. In addition, preparations with individual medicinal herbs are offered both in low doses, for example in drugstores (often as dietary supplements) and higher doses in pharmacies. Ultimately, only an expert can judge which herbal remedy has an effect.
Breast cancer patients should rely on the judgment of their doctor and / or pharmacist.
Special care should be taken when purchasing medicinal herb preparations via the internet. Abroad, manufacturing and distribution of such products is often subject to less stringent controls and requirements than in Germany. Impurities and contamination with pollutants are possible. Again, doctor and / or pharmacist can help to find useful alternatives.

Special case mistletoe (Viscum album)

Unlike other herbal supplements, mistletoe extracts can be used in all phases of cancer therapy. Studies have shown that the therapy can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation therapy such as fatigue (syndrome), fatigue and sleep problems and stimulate the immune system. The quality of life of patients improves. The extracts are injected directly under the skin. Doctors distinguish between anthroposophic and phytotherapeutic preparations.

The latter will only be reimbursed by the statutory health insurance if all other therapeutic measures have failed. The anthroposophic therapy according to Rudolf Steiner is individual and prescribes extracts of different mistletoe trees depending on the type of cancer. These funds are always paid by the health insurance if the treating doctor prescribes them. More information: www.mistel-therapie.de

More about medicinal plants and chemotherapy in the book "Gemeinsam gegen Krebs" by Professor dr. Gustav Dobos and Privatdozent Dr. med. Sherko caraway (280 S., 24.95 euro, publishing house Zabert Sandmann GmbH 2011).

Individual questions are answered by the Clinic for Senology / Breast Center at the Essen-Mitte Clinics at www.kliniken-essen-mitte.de/senologie; Appointments on tel. 0201 / 174-33003 (ambulance).