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A Holistic Look at Cancer

~ Allison Brooks looks at a small selection of popular herbs utilized in oncology ~

When training for a marathon, or competing in an event, an athlete must nurture his/her body with the correct supplements to produce the best outcome. Without the right amount of certain minerals, vitamins, or electrolytes, the body becomes weak and cannot function to the best of its abilities. This is the same with any scenario. One does not need to be running a race or playing a sport to eat healthy and aid function. This holds true with patients battling a chronic illness or cancer.

In my eyes, natural facilitators are to cancer patients like Gatorade is to athletes. Gatorade is not needed for an athlete to perform, but it gives them the nutrients needed to produce positive results. This is the same for cancer patients. Herbs and certain natural extracts are not needed to overcome cancer, but they do give the body added strength for the battle ahead. Normally patients diagnosed with an aggressive cancer or one with a low survivability rate, like pancreatic cancer, mesothelioma, or phyllodes tumors, adopt a natural compliment for conventional treatments.

The usage of tonic herbs functions as a fantastic complementary/alternative treatment protocol for cancer patients. Tonic herbs can also be consumed on regular basis.  Panax Ginseng, Reishi mushroom, Rhodiola rosea root, and Schizandra berry are adaptogenic in nature and thus strengthen the homeostasis of the body and promote immune system health.  In addition, hormonal and neurological balance is also achieved. These herbs work by strengthening your bodily systems so that the resulted weakness from conventional cancer treatments can be combated. This can improve the quality of life, physically and mentally.

Another fascinating tidbit about natural health is the use of mistletoe with cancer treatment. Iscador is probably one the most unknown, mostly used plant extract for cancer out there. For over ninety years this direct derivative from mistletoe has been used to boost the immune system and stop cancer cell growth. There have been many controlled studies and clinical trials that have shown remarkable outcomes. With the combined use of this extract and conventional treatments, patients live 40% longer.

Though this piece only exemplifies a small sample of holistic treatments for cancer, it sheds light on the importance of incorporating natural remedies with treatments and recovery. It is important to remember that the human body is made of nature, so replenishing it with its natural counterparts is the best way to allow it to function appropriately.  

Author: Allison Brooks
Allison has recently graduated from university with interest in holistic nutrition
Contact: naturallie23@gmail.com 

The roots of Naturopathic Medicine

The roots of naturopathic medicine fosters true healing of the human body by stimulating and supporting the body's inherent power to regain harmony and balance. The modalities we use on our patients have the ability to not only help heal our patients but bring hope and belief that the body can and will heal from illness. The beauty of what we do, does not have to be fancy or expensive. This aspect means we can help those who are less fortunate for there does not need to be a dependence of synthetic healing aids such as pharmaceuticals.

My own healing has strictly come from meditation, nutrition and counseling. I have first hand seen the results from naturopathic modalities in such a way that ignites my passion to heal others. With only a year left of my education, I am inspired to embrace those who are suffering and bring back their faith in the health care system. 

Naturopathic Principle: Prevention

Principle #6: Prevention


The overall purpose of a naturopathic doctor is to prevent disease. This is achieved through education, nutrition, meditation, reducing stress, and exercise; all tools a naturopath can utilize with their patients. 

Naturopathic Principle: The Doctor as Teacher

Principle #5: The Doctor as Teacher

Applying our knowledge in practice is just as important in applying it during conversation with our patients. Knowledge is power but it is also a moment of opportunity. If our patients are given the opportunity to understand their condition, they will have more power to take control of it. Knowledge is created to be shared and utilized, not be help tightly as though we do not want to loose it. As I work with patients in clinic, I am thrilled when they understand something about themselves they had yet to ever discover. Teaching our patients one-on-one about the healing power of nature, is one of the basic healing modalities we can utilize to insure change and well being.

Naturopathic Principle: Treat the whole person

Principle #4: Treat the whole person


If we focus on the symptom our patient presents with, we will always miss the underlying problem. Through our training of botanical medicine, dietary, Chinese medicine, chiropractic manipulation, homeopathy, we are able to sincerely target the cause of the presenting symptoms. We loose the battle of healing if we focus too much on the superficial complaints our patients. By digging deeper, layer by layer, we will uncover the truth of the illness. This can be one of the most powerful modalities of our profession: treat the whole person. “It’s far more important to know what person the disease has than what disease the person has.”

Naturopathic Principle: Identify and treat the cause

Principle #3: Identify and treat the cause


In order to effectively help our patients, we need to discover the cause of their pain or discomfort. The symptoms are how the body expresses healing; therefore, we should never suppress the healing process through treatment. The application of naturopathic modalities have curative abilities on whichever level a patient may need: mental, emotional or spiritual and we must direct our treatments based on the underlying cause of the patients illness.