Natural Pain Relief for Cancer Patients

For those that are diagnosed with cancer, chronic pain can become an almost constant battle. Tumors often put pressure on bones, organs, and even nerves; the chemicals that are secreted by tumors also can create pain. But the cancer itself isn’t the only source of cancer-related pain. When you are going through cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, living your daily life can be excruciating, and the doctor's answer is often to prescribe pain medication that is damaging and often addicting. This is the case with opioid painkillers such as codeine and morphine. When the pain becomes unbearable and the solutions offered by doctors create devastating side effects, it is time to look into natural pain relief in the form of herbs and supplements. Most of the herbs I will list below have anti-inflammatory properties that work by blocking the enzymes that trigger swelling and subsequent pain. Even though these herbs have been used as natural remedies for years in different cultures, please note that I am not a medical doctor and you should always consult with your physician before taking any natural herbs and/or supplements. 

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Tumeric:

Tumeric comes from India and is the spice that gives curry and yellow mustard its beautiful yellow color. Tumeric has long been praised for its anti-inflammatory properties, and the extract found in the turmeric root, curcumin, also possesses these properties. They also both have potent antioxidant properties. Curcumin especially is credited for its ability to reduce pain and slow deterioration in the body. Tumeric works by shutting down the COX2 enzyme that causes pain, as it's able to search for and destroy free radicals in your body. Some doctors even believe that tumeric is more precise than aspirin when it comes to shutting down inflammation. There are a couple different ways to get adequate amounts of turmeric in your diet in order for it to battle pain. Eating a lot of curried dishes, drinking turmeric tea, and taking a supplement (try to find one with the highest percent of curcumin extract) are all good ways to reach ideal levels. Tumeric is a safe alternative with no (known) side effects, so be sure to enjoy it regularly. (I especially love it on scrambled eggs, but if you're looking for more ideas, check out this awesome recipe post.)

Papain:

Papain is an enzyme that's found in papaya fruit and is derived from the sappy, milk like latex that comes from unripe papaya skins. The latex is dried and then made into a powder. Papain boosts the immune system by breaking down proteins, it attacks tumor cells, and was shown to protect against the damaging effects of radiation in animal studies. Papain is often applied topically for bed sores, burns, and surgical wounds; but is usually taken as a pain management supplement. Common side effects of papain include gastrointestinal distress when taken orally and mild burning when applied topically. The enzyme is easily found in supplement stores. 

Ginger:

Did you know ginger reduces pain and inflammation? Ginger lowers your number of prostaglandins, which are the messenger molecules that tell you when you're in pain. Since chemotherapy causes nausea in many cancer patients, ginger can help with that as well (since we all know the effect of ginger ale when we're sick.) The side effects of ginger are rare unless taken in incredibly high doses, but they include heartburn, diarrhea, and stomach discomfort. The herb can be bought fresh or dried, and you can also get it in capsule form, tinctures, extracts, and oils. It's also possible to grate the fresh root for recipes, as its extremely versatile (as you can tell from this awesome Buzzfeed article.) Ginger goes well with Indian/Asian dishes, soups, fish, desserts (like these simple ginger cookies,) and of course tea -- not to mention it pairs extremely well with tumeric and ginseng, two other herbs on this list. 

Capsaicin:

Capsaicin is the phenolic substance that is found in hot chili peppers, and there are plenty of studies that prove how well capsaicin is at pain management. Most of the time, it is used in topical pain relieving creams and patches, but it has also been shown to activate cell receptors in the intestinal lining, creating a reaction that lowers the risk of tumors. Researchers also believe that the compound may turn off an over-reactive receptor that could trigger tumor growth. Capsaicin has also been shown to be effective against breast, pancreatic, and bladder cancer cells. Side effects of capsaicin when eaten are stomach irritation, sweating, flushing, and runny nose. Taken in large doses capsaicin could possibly be dangerous and in rare cases could cause liver or kidney damage. (But that's rare, since I highly doubt many people are funneling tons of hot chili peppers down their throats.) And hey, if you can take the heat, here's a great list of 9 hot peppers and recipes to go with them. 

Feverfew:

Also known as wild chamomile, feverfew hails from the Balkan Mountains of eastern Europe, though nowadays it can be found throughout Europe, South America, and North America. It's been used as a treatment for migraines, fevers, stomach aches, toothaches, and other sources of pain for hundreds of years. There's a main ingredient in feverfew known as Parthenolide, and its responsible for much of its healing power, as it stops the spread of cancerous cells including those of breast, prostate, lung, bladder, leukemia, and myeloma. (Fun fact: the ancient Greeks called feverfew Parthenium, because it supposedly saved the life of someone who fell off the Parthenon during its construction.) It is most common to take feverfew as a supplement, and you can also make it into a tea (here's a good recipe.) You can also grow it in your garden if you are green-thumb inclined. (Me, not so much -- I kill plants just by looking at them.) With feverfew you are gaining not only the migraine and fever reducing advantages but the anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties as well. However, do proceed with caution when it comes to this herb as those allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family (this includes ragwee, chysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others,) may have an allergic reaction with feverfew. Notable side effects of the herb include upset stomach, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and nausea; and pregnant women are advised not to take feverfew as there is concern for early contractions and/or miscarriage. 

Ginseng:

Ginseng is a very well known herb, mostly used as a natural energy booster and a fatigue combatant in cancer patients. New research linked to the compound "ginesenosides" found in ginseng reveal that the herb can kill cancer cells and inhibit cancer's uncontrolled growth, invasiveness, and angiogenesis. Cancer cells can break away from their primary site and spread to other parts of the body, and ginesenosides can inhibit cancer metastasis and decrease its invasive abilities. Non-toxic and safe, except for minor side effects such as diarrhea, itching, trouble sleeping, headaches, and nervousness, ginseng is recommended in the morning or early afternoon due to its stimulatory properties. Ginseng is most easily taken as a dried extract (200 milligrams,) a tea, or by taking 10 to 3 drops of the extract in a beverage. You can, however, use ginger in recipes, as shown on this ginseng Yummly page. (As mentioned above, ginseng is often used along with tumeric and ginger in recipes, so you get a triple whammy of healing properties!) 

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Overall, there are plenty of alternatives to the traditional cancer related pain solutions offered by pharmaceutical companies. A lot of the herbs listed above work just as well, if not better than, prescribed medication, but are just not as widely known about. Not to mention it's definitely useful that a lot of the herbs are extremely versatile and go well together in recipes. Even if you've never tried natural remedies before, it may be beneficial and money-saving to do so! Also, curry is one of the most delicious things on this planet. Just a side note. 

LOOK AT IT.

DISCLAIMER: All of the information above was gathered through research and reviews from various sources, but I am not a medical professional. If you are interested in taking any of the herbs above, please consult with your doctor before doing so, and know that there are always risks associated with any natural remedy, even if none were found and/or were listed. 


ClermontRadiology.com