Harry Chrissakis, Herbalist, M.H., Natural Healing
HERBALIST AND HERBS
The intent of the article is to show how the principles of allopathic medicine can be applied to/with natural medicine; Taking standard practice method/strategy and using natural medicine(with it or independently) to accomplish the desired goal. Being that breast cancer is one of the 4 leading cancers, I will use that as an example. This assistive program would most likely be implemented post standard practice treatment (surgery, chemo, and or radiation), and/or can be used immediately after diagnosis independently. With some adjustment, it could be used in a preventative program as well. The example will cover a few of the needed areas.
Our example will be a 53 year old mother of 3. Diagnosis; Invasive Ductal Carcinoma (breast cancer that has broken out of its capsule, which in this case is the milk duct of the breast). Invasive Ductal Carcinoma constitutes 70% of newly diagnosed breast cancer. The estimated time of development of the cancer previous to diagnosis is 20-25 years (mammographic screening is not enough on its own for early detection especially in women under 50). This patient has received a lumpectomy and radiation 6 months ago and is interested in doing her best to prevent a recurrence. The information on her pathology report tells us the cancer is estrogen sensitive (E.R. positive). Estrogen is a cell proliferant and in relation to cancer it is a growth factor. It is also a necessary element for a woman’s health and longevity. Under these circumstances, what needs to be done?
Oncology’s approach/method.
Hormone blockade; Drug used: Tamoxifen/Raloxifene. These drugs do what they are supposed to very well, but they have down sides and there may be resistance to the drugs. Tomoxifen has a limited time of use. It will lose effectiveness in 3-5 years. Tomoxifin has been implicated in cases of depression and uterine cancer. The idea of this method of approach is very good and can be improved. The idea of hormone blockade is to block the binding of strong ,proliferative forms of estrogen to a receptor on the breast. If these estrogens cannot get into the cell then the estrogens cannot act as a growth factor which would accelerate the Breast Cancer.
Natural Medicine‘s approach/method.
Stop taking any drug form of estrogen (Birth Control, Hormone Replacement Therapy, including bio identical Hormones). I have had patients with aggressive breast cancer who were still on H.R.T. Hormone Replacement Therapy (really dangerous).
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If a woman is ER positive and Her2 positive (Her2, Human Epidermal Receptor 2, is a growth factor which shows up in 30% of newly diagnosed breast cancer) there is a very good chance she will be resistant to Tamoxifen. If there is a functional genetic glitch (SNP) in the area of CYP1B1( Gene Site), this would also indicate resistance to the drug. A basic difference between the pharmaceutical drug approach and Natural Medicine is that the drugs wipe out a function (this has its place) and natural medicine seeks balance. As an aside: Under the right circumstances and with the knowledge of both drugs and natural medicine the combination of Allopathic Medicine and Natural Medicine can produce excellent results.
In natural medicine the plant compounds that are used to bind to estrogen receptors (Blockade Therapy) are Isoflavones,Coumestins,Lignans, and Sterols. In foods these compounds occur in the following respective order; Isoflavones are in fermented soy products,Coumestins are in beans;Lignans are in Flax seeds, Sterols are in herbs like Nettle root. Many foods contain these constituents and these could be included in the diet as well, but I use things that have them in concentrated forms primarily. Red clover concentrate, lignan concentrate, fermented soy concentrate ect. These compounds act as very mild forms of estrogens that the receptors actually prefer. They are much smaller (1/300 the size of Estradiol) and much weaker comparatively,but they still keep function going and are protective to the breast tissue (bind to receptors and keep out the stronger, proliferative forms of estrogen). I
In terms of protecting the breast, lymphatic function must be restored. Topical use of herbal essence and ingestion of herbs can put this area back in order. A simple method of improving lymph function is alternating hot and cold in the shower (for the slightly more robust and daring). Polk oil applied topically to the breast and surrounding area is a great non-invasive way to stimulate lymph flow. It works internally as well and if given in a formula (amount of Polk in a formula should not exceed 10% of the volume of the formula).
Reducing estrogen load in this patient’s blood stream would be the next leg of the protocol. Estrogen can be produced in fat cells where the enzyme aromatase converts androgens to estrogens. This is a normal process that occurs post menopause, to ensure that a women has sufficient estrogen levels in her body. Under the influence of Cancer, Insulin Resistance and being overweight a woman’s body can both overproduce estrogen and convert weaker forms of estrogen to stronger, more proliferative forms. Often a newly diagnosed Cancer patient will have Insulin Resistance and be overweight (True for all Cancers, not just Breast Cancer). As an aside, the process of Aromatizing androgens is also happening to men. This means that in an overweight man testosterone is being converted to estrogens. These unwanted estrogens in a man’s body act as drivers of Cancer.
Oncology approach/method
The use of anti-aromatase drugs, the best of which is the drug Aromasin These drugs stop the production of the enzyme aromatase. Another great idea, but again the side effect issue and the basic difference between stopping and or completely wiping out that function (standard practice approach) and modulating/normalizing an area that we still need in order to stay well (Natural Medicine)
Natural Medicine approach/method. A full Hormone and Thyroid panel
The use of herbs and supplements to modulate aromatase production. Passion Flower, Green Tea, Reishi Mushroom, ect. These are all excellent anti-aromatase agents alone and better together. Again, I use them in concentrated form. If this person was overweight and or Insulin Resistant, than that would have to be worked with as well. Reducing Insulin Resistance is a big deal in helping people with cancer and is grossly underrated for its negative impact on our bodies male or female.
Another leg of the idea of reducing estrogen load is in getting the liver to break down the estrogens in order to get rid of their dangerous byproducts (this is true for a number of hormones and neuro-transmitters). Clearance tests (urine tests) can be checked to see if the liver is converting estrogens into their proper byproduct. This is measured by checking the ratios of Hydroxyestrone 2, 4 and 16. Ratios favoring 2 Hydroxyestrone is what we are trying to achieve. If this is not happening correctly, the by-products pushed back into the bloodstream can be highly carcinogenic (up to 50x stronger than a woman’s strongest natural estrogen). Balancing the Liver detox system is key. The use of Phenolic compounds is the basis of this approach. Curcumin and Green Tea Extract as well as dietary spices like Ginger and Rosemary are Phenolic compounds that help normalize liver detoxification.
Part of this program is in making sure that a person is going to the bathroom normally (everyday) because the bowel can re-circulate unwanted estrogens. In order to prevent this the process of Glucuronidation (one of the 6 detox pathways in the second phase of liver detox) has to be addressed as well. In lab work, an elevated Beta Glucuronidase reading indicates that the Liver is having a hard time in this area and needs assistance. The use of Calcium d Glucarate as a supplement along with the Phenolic compounds is helpful with this problem
This particular patient also received radiation. I would definitely address this ASAP as fibrosis of radiated tissue is inevitable unless treated.
These examples are very general, but exemplify how Natural medicine can work in conjunction with Standard Practice Oncology. In real time there would be more testing and I would follow a basic premise of Natural Medicine which is to “STRENGTHEN THE PATIENT, WEAKEN THE CANCER AND DO NO HARM.
Harry Chrissakis
Herbalist M.H. Natural Healing
HerbalistandHerbs.com 530-933-8244 Consultations available by phone or Zoom