Cancer You - Raffles Medical Group

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26 Feature Raffles HealthNewsHerbal Measuresfor Chemotherapy’s PressuresDuring the course of cancer treatment, patients more often than not have to undergo several rounds of chemotherapyor radiotherapy in order to reduce the size of tumour. While effective as treatments, chemotherapy agents are actuallyindiscriminate agents. Not able to differentiate between a healthy cell and a cancerous one, all are simply eradicated and thisresults in a host of other side effects for the patient.Fortunately, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories, consumption of TCM herbs can actually boost the effectsof chemotherapy & radiotherapy while reducing the side effects on the body. Given that there are varying side effects that affecteach patient, it is therefore important to ensure that the correct types are being consumed. Now, HealthNews will give you aclearer insight into the different types of herbs one can take to improve their condition with help from Ms Miao Meng, Senior TCMPhysician, Raffles TraditionalChineseMedicine.Symptoms include: Hair lossHair LossHow TCM can help: Arguably the most visible and recognisedcharacteristic of a cancer sufferer, hair loss is temporary &begins to regrow. Hair will begin to regrow after stoppingchemotherapy for about one to three months. TCM can help byreducing the amount of hair loss. This is done by nourishingthe kidney’s “yin” energy, replenishing and coolingdown the blood.Helpful herbs: Red peony root ( 赤芍 chishao), Ligustrum lucidum ( 女贞子 nuzhen zi), Polygonum multiflorum root( 何首乌 he shou wu).Urinary problemsSymptoms include: Frequent urination, pain duringurination, blood in urine, constant urge to pass urineHow TCM can help: These symptoms arise as a resultof renal and bladder toxicity. TCM treatment is based onclearing this toxic heat (toxicity), cooling down the affectedorgans while arresting bleeding.Helpful herbs: Plantain seeds ( 车前子 che qianzi), polyporus umbellatus extract ( 猪苓 zhuling), talc ( 滑石 hua shi), alisma rhizome( 泽泻 ze xie), rhizome imperatae ( 白茅根bai mao gen)General Body DiscomfortSymptoms include: Dizziness,fatigue, insomnia and dry mouthHow TCM can help: In instanceswhere the patient suffers fromthe above symptoms, it is usuallydue to blood and “qi” deficiencies inthe body. Therefore, the appropriateTCM approach would be to invigorate thespleen and stomach so as to ensure healthyproduction of blood and “qi” to help nourish the liverand kidneys.Helpful herbs: Astragalus ( 有黄芪 you huang qi), peony root ( 白芍 bai shao), white rhizome ( 白术 bai shu), licorice root ( 炙甘草zhi gan cao), rehmannia root ( 熟地黄 shu di huang).Gastrointestinal DiscomfortSymptoms include: Loss ofappetite, nausea, vomiting,abdominal pain, diarrhoeaHow TCM can help: For sufferers ofsuch symptoms, it is usually due to thechemotherapy irritating the gastrointestinalorgans such as the stomach and intestines.To counteract these effects, Physician Miaorecommends strengthening the spleen and stomachto help control nausea & vomitting.Helpful herbs: Inula flowers ( 旋复花 xuan fu hua), PinelliaRhizome ( 半夏 ban xia), Tangerine peel ( 陈皮 chen pi), Citrusaurantium / Bitter orange ( 枳实 zhi shi), Poria ( 茯苓 fu ling).A final noteMs Miao advises that while there are various types of TCM herbs that can help ease the side effects of chemotherapeutics, it isalso advisable to speak to your doctor before beginning to consume these as you may be put on certain types of medicationsduring cancer treatment which these TCM herbs might interfere with.A TCM physician should also be consulted, should a particular herb be unsuitable for the patient so that alternatives may befound. Working closely with a TCM physician and a doctor, a patient can almost certainly find ways to keep the side effects oftreatment to a minimum. HN
Raffles HealthNews FoodNotes 27One of the effects of using chemotherapeutics as a treatmentfor cancer is the loss of healthy red blood cells. This bringsabout a host of side effects affecting the patient such as,paleness, dry skin, dizziness, insomnia, limb numbness andeven palpitations.Fortunately, there are ways to nourish the body’s blood tolessen such effects. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)believes that by regularly consuming specific herbs, one canachieve just that and make the post-chemotherapy experiencefor patients much more bearable.Tri-Herbal SoupA soup which benefits and improves your “Qi”while nourishing your blood. This is an ideal soupto drink if you are going through chemotherapy.2 servings per recipeIngredients• Astragalus 黄芪 (huang qi) 15g• Millettia 鸡血藤 (ji xue teng) 30g• Jujube 大枣 (da zao) 5 pieces• 700ml waterPreparation1. Wash and clean the ingredients2. Add all the ingredients and water together3. Cook under a low heat for 20 minutes4. Let cool and serve to drink in 2 portionsBenefitsAstralagus 黄芪 (huang qi): This helps to treatment a middle“qi” deficiency as well as its after effect of blood exhaustion.Millettia 鸡血藤 (ji xue teng): This helps to enrich blood andpromote circulation, activating the meridians. This is useful forblood deficiency and blood stasis syndromes which may havealready manifested in patients.Jujube 红枣 (hong zao): Being sweet and warm, this herbhelps to invigorate “qi” and moistens the blood, therebynourishing it.Contributed by Ms Miao Meng, TCM Physician,Raffles Chinese MedicineEase of preparation:
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