Archive for March 30th, 2009
NATURE’S HEALING FOODS IN CANCER TREATMENT: BEETROOT, BERRIES AND GRAPES
Posted on March 30, 2009, under Cancer.
Beetroot
Beetroot stimulates lymphatic function and may help to prevent and reverse some forms of cancer, in particular, some forms of lung cancer. Scientific research documents a case in Hungary of a doctor who used beetroot to totally clear lung cancer from a fifty-year-old male. After six weeks of treatment the tumour disappeared completely. A similar case, also from Hungary, of a doctor who treated prostate cancer with beetroot was indicated to have totally removed the tumour after a short period. More research needs to be conducted in this area to prove the healing potential of beetroot.
Beetroot juice is a natural prophylactic and therapeutic agent. During cancer treatment, 100 ml of fresh beetroot juice should be drunk daily. Canned beetroot does not have the same medicinal effect.
Beetroot is also useful for treating constipation, fluid retention, anxiety, memory problems, gallstones, bladder problems, kidney problems and anaemia. It is famous for its ability to enhance liver function. Beetroot is rich in iron, potassium, niacin, copper and vitamin C. Folic acid, zinc, calcium, manganese and magnesium are also present in beetroot in good amounts.
Berries and Grapes
Berries are nature’s little miracle-packed fruits. Many different types of berries contain anthocyanins, which are bioflavonoids with antioxidant properties. Bioflavonoids are substances that provide berries with their magnificent colours and health properties.
Grapes, blackcurrants and raspberries may reduce the risk of developing skin cancer, due to their high ellagic acid content. Grapes are thought to possess strong life extension and antioxidant properties. They contain powerful cancer-fighting polyphenols that are also found in red wine. These polyphenols are thought to reduce tumour formation and may also activate cancer cell death in breast cancer and leukemia.
Grapes are also rich in ferulic acid, which may help to prevent many forms of cancer. One of the most famous ‘cancer-clearing’ diets in the world is known as the ‘Grape Diet’. For six weeks or more, a person consumes all different types of grapes and nothing else, except water. Many people who have followed this diet have claimed to have cured themselves of cancer. This diet should never be undertaken without medical supervision.
It is believed people who regularly consume strawberries are less likely to develop cancer. Strawberries also inhibit the conversion of nitrates into nitrites, which then convert into the cancer-causing substance, nitrosamine. (Nitrates are carcinogenic substances found in packaged, smoked and processed meats.) An excess of nitrosamines in the body has been linked to the development of many different types of cancer including stomach, colorectal and brain tumours.
Strawberries and grapes are good sources of the phytochemicals (ellagic acid and phenethyle isothiocyanate) which may be effective in preventing and treating cancer of the oesophagus by stopping cells from becoming cancerous when exposed to a cancer-causing chemical. Generally, strawberries are highly sprayed with pesticides to keep their perfect shape and colour. When eating strawberries, try to buy organic produce and always wash thoroughly.
Berries are so rich in bioflavonoids that they are capable of protecting the health of small blood vessels and capillaries while preventing inflammation, which therefore may help to reduce the spread of cancer. Other berries like bilberries, dewberries, cranberries and blueberries are also rich in vitamin Ñ and other health-enhancing flavonoids. Berries are also plentiful in the minerals potassium, calcium magnesium, chlorine, sulphur, silicon and iron. Most berries have a moderate fibre content as well.
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CANCER TREATMENT: MOOD-ALTERING FLOWERS – THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH FLOWER REMEDIES
Posted on March 30, 2009, under Cancer.
Indigenous people have used flower essences all over the world for centuries. The Australian Aborigines have always used flower essences to restore emotional balance, as did the ancient Egyptians and African tribes. They were also extremely popular in the Middle Ages. Paracelsus in the fifteenth century wrote in scriptures how he collected dew from flowering plants and diluted it to treat emotional imbalances. Much of this natural healing knowledge has sadly been lost, although in some parts of the world healers and tribesmen have retained these skills.
Flower essences are used as catalysts to help unlock your full creative potential, attain emotional, spiritual, mental and physical balance, resolve negative beliefs and bring about a condition of harmony. Flower essences help to promote healing by releasing negative emotions and thought patterns. They enhance one’s soul with positive feelings that are already inherent in our essence. When this occurs, negative beliefs and thoughts that may have caused or enhanced your illness are dissolved and balance is restored. Flower essences can assist in resolving distress and drama in one’s life. They are also beneficial in maintaining positive attitudes and thought patterns necessary in overcoming cancer and other illnesses.
Australian plants possess an amazing strength, resilience and unique beauty, similar to the Australian landscape. There is abundant wisdom and timeless knowledge contained within nature and combined with the magnificent power of the land, this lends creation to the Australian Bush Flower Remedies. These remedies are useful for clearing emotional blocks that may stop a person from getting in touch with their true self and life purpose. They help to give clarity to one’s life purpose yet also offer courage and strength to follow one’s goals and dreams.
I have been using the Australian Bush Flower Remedies in my practice for many years. I am constantly amazed at the positive transformation power shown by the Bush Flower Remedies. Using flower essences will enhance your creativity, enthusiasm, confidence, strength and positive healing powers.
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CANCER: HOW TO CREATE A HEALING HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT
Posted on March 30, 2009, under Cancer.
It is too easy for your individuality and personal worth to be lost amid the hospital routine, in the hospital organization, by the processing of patients day after day, year after year. Some of the hospital staff are trying to do their best in a daunting situation. To expect them to change at this stage is unrealistic. So how do you deal with a hospital environment that places you in a sick, weak and helpless role?
If you do find yourself in a hospital atmosphere which is drab and dull, you can take personal responsibility by uplifting the atmosphere in your own room. There are a number of simple ways you can do this. The following are some great examples of how to decrease your hospital stay, speed up your recovery time and how to uplift your hospital surroundings.
The Beauty of Colour
Colours in their essence are healing and contain within each of their individual aspects a different healing vibration. Colours have the ability to transform emotions and provoke positive feelings and thoughts. Colour can be incorporated into your environment easily with the addition of flowers, colourful pyjamas and nightwear, brightly coloured silk scarves, paintings and artwork, and anything precious and colourful which you cherish from your home.
It would be great if nurse’s uniforms were brighter and livelier, instead of the sickly pale blue, pink and white we see nurses wearing. This leaves many people with an empty and cold feeling, not very conducive to healing. Red, green and violet are considered the most ideal colours for cancer-healing. Each colour has the ability to stimulate a different healing potential. So surround yourself in beautiful, lively colours and feel the vibrations of joy and healing radiating from every magnificent colour in your hospital room.
Melodious Music
Classical music is believed to benefit healing and shorten the stays of hospitalized patients. Music enhances physical, emotional and biological functions. Music and other sounds pleasant to our ears contain powerful immune stimulating qualities. Take in your own CD player or tape recorder and play your favourite music and sounds. It is highly beneficial to listen to relaxing music before your operation, to calm the mind and body and bring about a sense of peace and relaxation. There are a wide variety of relaxing and inspirational tapes and CDs readily available in stores today.
Ancient Aromas
Smells have been used for centuries throughout ancient civilizations, to alter mental, physical and spiritual health. Aromatherapy uses essential oils obtained directly from flowers and plants to uplift the spirit and increase well-being and health. Specific oils promote different healing responses and alter the emotions and spirit in unique ways. It is a good idea to bring an oil burner into the hospital and burn four or five drops of essential oil in water with a candle oil burner, or simply use an electric oil burner that doesn’t require water. Likewise, essential oils can be applied directly to the skin to enhance emotions or promote healing. Place a couple of drops on the skin with a good carrier oil. If you are having trouble sleeping, place two drops of lavender oil directly on your pillow. Other useful aromatherapy oils to use in hospital include:
• arnica — excellent for bruising;
• bergamot – uplifts the spirit, great for depression and enhances creativity;
• calendula – great for cuts, wounds and healing;
• clary sage – one of the best oils for post-operation depression;
• eucalyptus – great for colds, clearing of the chest and head if congested, and for sinus problems;
• fennel – great for indigestion, nausea and vomiting;
• lavender – relaxes the body, calms the nervous system, excellent for insomnia and great for burns if applied directly;
• peppermint – great for nausea, vomiting and provides a sedating effect;
• tea tree – a great antiseptic and disinfectant, good for cuts, tinea and fungal infections.
*54/34/5*
CHEMOTHERAPY AS A FORM OF CANCER THERAPY
Posted on March 30, 2009, under Cancer.
Chemotherapy and Pain
Chemotherapy can be painful, depending on the empathy of the nurse who is treating you. In my experience, I found the actual chemotherapy to be painful about 75 per cent of the time. Nurses will often give excuses as to the patient having ‘tough veins’ or ‘flattened veins’ or some other excuse but really, how effectively the drip needle is inserted depends on the degree of experience, empathy and care the nurse exhibits.
Chemotherapy drugs are very cold. Keep warm when having chemotherapy and ask for a hot pack to be placed on your arm to aid with the extreme cold. And always make sure you warm up the area with a hot towel or hot pack first to soften the veins. Use a vitamin E cream or lotion to soften up your skin and veins – this can make the needle insert easier. A test dose of more allergic cytotoxic drugs is given with a needle directly into the upper arm. This is very painful, similar to your inner veins being stung by a bee. People say you get used to the needles. This is not true, you never get used to having large needles inserted into your arms and copious amounts of toxic drugs inserted into your veins.
If the nurse hasn’t positioned the drip correctly, you will experience some aching in the arm and often bruising around the insertion point. Always ask for experienced nurses to perform the insertion of your drip.
The most painful experience with chemotherapy is the debilitating side effects associated with its application, which normally don’t become apparent until shortly after chemotherapy is given. The side effects from placing cytotoxic drugs into your body are many and varied, according to each individual, and may affect you both mentally and physically.
Continuing Your Normal Life During Chemotherapy
Many people continue their normal schedules and work their chemotherapy treatments around their work and social life. This depends on the amount of chemotherapy you are having. If you are having large amounts of chemotherapy, you will find your energy levels will decrease more and more over time. The side effects and energy decrease are cumulative, often getting worse as the weeks go by. As you have more and more chemotherapy treatments you will find your energy levels will decrease, even though it doesn’t seem that way in the beginning. However, if you keep up a healthy, nutritious diet and supplement with the correct nutrients you should be able to avoid most side effects and maintain relatively good energy levels.
I would recommend ceasing the majority of work during chemotherapy and concentrating this time on healing. In many cases, a hectic schedule and tense work commitments may have been a contributing factor towards your cancer development. Everyone is affected by chemotherapy very differently. It is best to judge for yourself and see how you feel as time goes by. Don’t feel obligated to anyone during this period – try to make as much free time for yourself as possible and healing will occur much quicker.
*30/34/5*
DIAGNOSIS AND DETECTION CANCER
Posted on March 30, 2009, under Cancer.
Liver Cancer
Blood tests (AFP- alpha feto protein), ultrasound or CT scan, MRI, biopsy and angiography. Fine needle aspiration or a trochar biopsy of the liver.
Lung Cancer
Chest x-ray, sputum sample study, bronchoscopy, microscopic examination of cells, and blood tests. If lung cancer is established, CT chest scans and bone scans are performed. PET scans can be used to stage the tumour.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Biopsy of enlarged lymph node, evaluation of blood or bone marrow under a microscope, CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis.
Oesophageal Cancer
Endoscopic examination, biopsy, barium swallow or upper GI x-rays, endoscopic ultrasound and CT Scan or MRI.
Oral Cancer
Oral examination and microscopic examination of cells.
Ovarian Cancer
A detailed pelvic examination, ultrasound or CT scan of the pelvis, blood tests (CA 125 and CASA – a tumour marker). If ovarian cancer is suspected, a tissue diagnosis is taken by using FNA or trochar biopsy of the tumour, examination of the fluid in the abdomen or surgery with removal of the tumour.
Pancreatic Cancer
CT scan or ultrasound, guided needle biopsy of the pancreas, endoscopy and biopsy, and blood tests.
Prostate Cancer
Self-examination, x-rays, CT scans, biopsy, blood test (PSA – Prostate Specific Antigen) and digital rectal examination. Staging of prostate cancer is determined through CT Scans or MRI of the pelvis and abdomen, and bone scans.
Skin Cancer or Melanoma
Skin examination by doctor, noticeable changes in mole or freckle, biopsy of the mole or affected site, blood tests.
Stomach Cancer
Upper endoscopy, biopsy, MRI, barium upper GI radiographs and endoscopic ultrasound.
Uterine or Endometrial Cancer
Pelvic examination, biopsy, pap smear and curette.
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