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Radiation therapy and schisandra
My 26-year-old niece has just started a 12-week course of radiotherapy to deal with cancerous cells on her ovaries. The speed with which she has started this treatment has given her no time to build up her resources. Is there anything she can take now to counter the side effects without affecting the treatment itself?
Schisandra is the herb of choice for helping the body to eliminate chemical toxins, including those introduced by both chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It is one of the impressive adaptogenic herbs that can help improve stamina, energy and sleep patterns and is widely used to help treat stress-induced nervous exhaustion, weakness and fatigue.
Most supplements are made from the red berries, which, in China, are eaten as a nutritious fruit in their own right. These contain a number of active agents including lignans, which are found in the seeds of the fruits and which according to Chinese researchers help protect the liver by regenerating tissue that has been damaged by toxins and other harmful agents.
Also known as Five-Flavour-Fruit, schisandra can accelerate recovery after surgery, protect against infection and support the adrenal glands, which take the brunt of any stressful onslaught, including medical treatment. The safe therapeutic daily dose is 200mg a day, which is the precise dosage of Solgar’s full potency schisandra extract vegicaps; (for local stockists, call 01442-890355). This will not interfere with the radiotherapy treatment. For chemotherapy and radiation therapy support, contact the doctor-run The Dove Clinic for Integrated Medicine in Dorset (01962-718000) which specialises in alternative treatment programmes for cancer patients.