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Chemo and Radiation – Other Side Effects

This protocol is provided courtesy of the International Homeopathic Society of Supportive Care in Oncology.   For more info on supportive remedies for cancer treatment, specific cancer drugs, pain after surgery, psychological problems, weakened immune system, etcetera, see Dr. Bagot’s book.*  

Note:

  • Homeopathy is not a treatment for cancer.  It is solely to support patients with unpleasant side effects of treatment. 
  • The remedies below may be given in addition to the medicine your oncologist prescribes.  Do not stop the medicine, nutritional or exercise regimen your doctor prescribes. 
  • If side effects are more than you were told to expect, your doctor should be advised.
  • Please work with a professional homeopath to meet your cancer support needs. You can find one HERE.

View IHSSCO guide here

Symptoms Remedy

Psychological support

  • For patient and/or loved ones
View Remedy
  • Arnica montana 30C
    • state of shock
    • immediately
    • twice a day, if necessary
  • Ignatia 15C
    • for anguish, lump in throat
    • twice a day, if necessary
  • Gelsemium 15C
    • anxiety, fear of the future
    • twice a day, if necessary
  • Staphysagria 15C
    • sense of injustice, anger, annoyance
    • twice a day, if necessary
  • Aconitum napellus 15C
    • sudden, intense anxiety, fear of death
    • twice a day, if necessary
  • Constipation
View Remedy
  • Opium 6C
    • 1 dose 3 times a day
    • Take only while constipated
    • Available outside the US
  • Diarrhea
    • while symptoms last
View Remedy

or
  • Urticaria (itchy rash with welts)
View Remedy
  • Apis mellifica 30C
    • 1 dose every hour
    • Space out dosing as improvement occurs
  • Fissures in the skin of extremities
View Remedy
  • Petroleum 6C
    • one dose morning and evening until better
  • Erythema of hand-foot
View Remedy
  • Nosebleed
View Remedy
  • (Achillea) Millefolium 6C
    • every 15 minutes until better
  • Folliculitis
View Remedy
  • Musculo-skeletal pain
View Remedy

-PLUS-

Directions:

  • 1 dose of each sucked together
  • morning, noon and evening
  • Mouth/tongue ulcers
    • (i.e., aphthae)
View Remedy
  • Borax 5C
    • 1 dose three times a day
    • Take until improved
  • Prevention and treatment of Mucositis
View Remedy
  • Kali bichromicum 9C
    • 1 dose three times a day
    • (can substitute 6C, 7C, 12C if 9C not available)

-PLUS-

NOTE:

  • One dose of each dissolved in glass/bottle of water.
  • Vigorously shake.
  • Take a mouthful, swish in mouth, swallow.
  • Take up to 3-5 times a day until improved.
  • Hot flashes from hormone therapy
View Remedy

-Plus-

-Plus-

-Plus-

Directions:

  • One dose of each sucked together 3-6 times a day
  • -OR-
  • Dissolve all pellets in glass/bottle of water
  • Shake vigorously before each dose
  • Take a sip 3-6 times a day when flushes occur
  • 3-6 times a day

 
  • For treatment with Oxaliplatine
View Remedy
  • Oxalic acid 9C (can substitute 6C if 9C not available)
    • 1 dose taken:
    • day before chemo,
    • day of chemo,
    • day after chemo, and
    • two days after chemo if symptoms persist

References

Bagot, JL.  Cancer & Homeopathy. Unimedica, Germany. 2012: pp. 62-65.

Bagot, JL.  Using hetero-isotherapic in cancer supportive care: the fruit of fifteen years of experience. Homeopathy. 2016 Feb: 105(1): 119-25. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26828007

Bagot JL, Karp JC, Messerschmitt C, et al. Homeopathy and Expert Consensus Recommendations – Unlikely Bedfellows. New Research in Homeopathy and Expert Consensus Recommendations in Oncological Support Care.  Homeopathy 2020: 109(1):A1-28.

Frass M, Lechleitner, Grundling C, et al.  Homeopathic Treatment as an “Add on” Therapy May Improve Quality of Life and Prolong Survival in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A prospective, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Double Blind, Three-Arm, Multicenter Study.  The Oncologist. 2020; 9999:1-22.

Frass M, Friehs H, Thallinger C, et al. Influence of adjunctive classical homeopathy on global health status and subjective wellbeing in cancer patients – A pragmatic randomized controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2015 Jun; 23(3):309-17.

Gaertner K, Lüer SC, Frei-Erb M, von Ammon K.  Complementary individual homeopathy in pediatric cancer care: A case series from a University Hospital, Switzerland. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30477851

Gras M, Vallard A, Brosse C, et al.  Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicines among Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Study.  Oncology. 2019 May 27: 1-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31132779

Huebner J, Muenstedt K, Prott FJ, et al.  Online survey of patients with breast cancer on complementary and alternative medicine.  Breast Care (Basel). 2014 Feb: 9(1): 60-3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24803889

Karp JC, Sanchez C, Guilbert P, et al.  Treatment with Ruta graveolens 5CH and Rhus toxicodendron 9CH may reduce joint pain and stiffness linked to aromatase inhibitors in women with early breast cancer: results of a pilot observation.  Homeopathy. 2016 Nov; 105(4): 299-308. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27914569

Kassab S, Cummings M, Berkovitz S, et al. Homeopathic medicines for adverse effects of cancer treatments. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009 Apr 15;(2).

Kholodova NB, Ponkratova YA, Sinkin MV.  Clinical and electromyography characteristics of chemotherapy-induced polyneuropathy. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2017; 117(9): 59-66 (article in Russian) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29053122

Menut V, Siegneur E, Gras Leguen C, et al.  Complementary and alternative medicine use in two French pediatric oncology centers: A common practice.  Bull Cancer. 2019 Mar; 106(3): 189-200.  (article in French) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30771881

Philibert C, Hoegy D, Philippe M, et al.  A French survey on the resort of oral alternative complementary medicines used in children with cancer. Bull Cancer. 2015 Oct; 102(10) 854-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26387822

Rossi E, DiStefano M, Firenzuoli F, et al.  Add-On Complementary Medicine in Cancer Care: Evidence in Literature and Experiences of Integration. Medicines (Basel). 2017 Mar; 4(1):5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5597075/

Samuels N, Freed Y, Weitzen R, et al.  Feasibility of Homeopathic Treatment for Symptom Reduction in an integrative Oncology Service.  Integr Cancer There. 2018 Jun; 17(2): 486-492. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29094627

Societe Homeopathique Internationale de Soins de Support en Oncologie.  Official recommendations. Retrieved Feb. 14, 2020.

Shukla P, Nayak C, Baig MQ, Misra P.  A Systematic Review of Controlled Trials of Homeopathy in Adverse Effects of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy in Cancer.  Thieme Med & Sci Publ Pr.  2019; 2:49-125.

Thompson EA, Reilly D.  The homeopathic approach to the treatment of symptoms of oestrogen withdrawal in breast cancer patients.  A prospective observational study.  Homeopathy. 2003 Jul; 92(3): 131-4.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12884894

 

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