Despite the general belief that the use of herbal medicine is safe, there are several scientifically recorded instances where herbal adjunct medication used to treat cancer was seen to cause adverse interactions. Such interactions have the potential to cause grave damage to the body. It is important to be cautious and aware of these risks.
Specialists, therefore, recommend that patients discuss their plans with their oncologist before starting an herbal treatment. Herbal medicine practitioners, under whom such treatment is provided, may not possess pharmacological skills that warn patients of a possible adverse interaction with an herbal formulation. However, scientific evidence suggests that patients often lack confidence in informing their treating oncologist that they are using CAM (complementary alternative medicine). Open communication is key to ensuring the best possible care.
Oncologists’ reluctance to use of herbal medicine
During my conversation with some specialists at the Kidwai Cancer Hospital in Bangalore, India, I found most oncologists reluctant to assent to herbal treatments. There is an Ayurveda practitioner within the hospital’s campus. Doctors told me they send only the worst cases to this clinic, where the chances of recovery are virtually nonexistent.
I needed to understand the reasons for such an attitude by oncologists. Was it disdain for an herbal treatment, or is this based on scientific logic? Patients, I learned, become physically fragile because of the nature of cancer treatment. A mild negative interaction of an herbal supplement with a cancer drug can become life-threatening. Doctors were loath to take chances with their patients.
Often, the composition of the complementary medicines recommended for treatment does not contain the chemical composition of the contents in these formulations. The labels mentioned only the herb composition used. This makes it impossible for an oncologist to determine if a chemical that can trigger an allergic event exists in the herbal formulation.
Safety profiling challenges to the use of herbal medicine
Plant-based materials show immense genetic variability. The concentration of bioactive compounds varies dramatically from site to site and region to region. Moreover, we have varietal variations as well. Collection methods, time of collection, storage, and logistics all impact the quality of herbs collected. Therefore, the effectiveness of herbal product-based formulations is not uniform. Variations in batches, factory location, and raw material source may be observed.
Such challenges are common to most herbal formulations. The situation seems worse considering the lack of standardization in herb collection and processing. However, this story will describe the state of the herbal industry in India, where Ayurveda is the dominant system of herbal treatment.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has successfully introduced a degree of standardization of manufacturing practices. This, among other things, has made Chinese medicine formulations popular in many parts of the world. Of course, there is also substantial state backing for the promotion of Chinese medicine within China.
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Check out the details in my latest revised edition, Natural Solutions for Cancer: Holistic Healing with Herbal Medicine, Ayurveda, TCM, and Mind-Body Therapies, available on Amazon https://amzn.to/3XNgP52.
Sudhirahluwalia, Inc. is a ghostwriting and business advisory specialist focused on Indian business. https://bit.ly/4kS1Pg1