Chemotherapy is an effective treatment for many cancers, but it’s not without its side effects. Aside from the unpleasantness of chemo itself, chemotherapy often leaves patients feeling tired and nauseous. It can also cause hair loss or upset your digestive tract. If you’re looking for more natural alternatives to chemotherapy, here are some promising options.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture may be a promising alternative to chemotherapy. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that uses needles inserted in the body at specific points, which can help build up your immune system and strengthen it against cancer cells. It’s also been shown to relieve symptoms of fatigue and nausea associated with chemo treatment.
Diet
Some research suggests that diet may give you an extra edge when it comes to fighting cancer. This is especially true for people who are already receiving chemotherapy—in one study, patients decreased their chances of experiencing hair loss by following a plant-based diet. The anti-cancer benefits of certain foods have been well documented in other studies too. Foods like green tea or garlic can help reduce inflammation caused by chemo treatment, while others like broccoli sprouts might even stop tumor cells from multiplying (although this doesn’t seem to apply to all types of cancers).
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment in which essential oils are used to promote relaxation and well-being. It’s not fully understood how aromatherapy might help fight cancer, but studies have shown that it reduces stress levels, which can improve the body’s immune response to tumors. This alternative medicine may also decrease feelings of nausea caused by chemo or pain from bone metastases (which often occur during advanced stages of the disease).
Hypnosis
Hypnosis is another alternative treatment that’s been shown to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. In one study on its efficacy, researchers found a 50 percent reduction in pain and nausea for cancer patients who underwent hypnosis sessions while receiving chemo. Hypnotherapy also helped them sleep better during this period – a significant benefit since lower quality sleep can make your body less responsive to anti-cancer medications.
Conclusion
While chemotherapy is an effective treatment for many cancers, it’s not without its side effects. If you’re looking for more natural alternatives to chemo, acupuncture, diet, and aromatherapy may be able to help your body fight the disease while reducing symptoms like nausea or fatigue that tend to occur during chemotherapy. Hypnosis can also reduce pain caused by advanced stages of cancer and decrease feelings of stress linked with lower immune response.