Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Oral Cancer

Some of the commonly used homeopathic medicines in the treatment of oral cancer include:

• Lycopodium clavatum
  Common name: Club Moss
  Symptoms: This medicine is best suited for individuals whose upper part of the body is thin and lower part is swollen (as from accumulation of water). Mentally, they are very intelligent but are physically weak. Club Moss is used in the treatment of different types of cancer such as liver, mouth, etc. Persons who benefit from this remedy experience the following symptoms:
  • Dry mouth with no desire to drink water.
  • Swollen tongue along with multiple small boils on the surface of tongue.
  • Ulceration on the floor of mouth, leading to intense pain and burning inside mouth.
  • Bitter taste in mouth with a white thick coating on tongue.
  • Food tastes sour
  • Belching with a sour taste in mouth
  • A tendency for abdominal gas
  • Sadness  depression, fear and irritability
  • Anxiousness in stomach.
  • Fear of death
  • Person feels scared with loss of confidence, does not like to talk to anyone.
  • Symptom worsen from heat or warmth.
  • Pain in the mouth and throat, which reduces by drinking and eating warm food and drinks.

Both in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate the anticancer action of lycopodium against various types of cancers such as liver, cervix, mouth, breast, gall bladder, lungs, etc.

It has further been indicated that lycopodium clavatum promotes cell death in cancer cells and damages the structure of cancerous cells. This helps in preventing the growth and spread of cancer cells (metastasis).

• Thuja occidentalis
  Common name: Arbor Vitae
  Symptoms: This medicine acts best in people with fair complexion who have weak and lax muscles, and have a tendency to suffer during rainy and humid seasons. Arbor Vitae is useful in the treatment of various types of cancer including oral cancer. It helps in relieving the following symptoms:
  • Lump or growth of cancer cells in gums that bleeds easily
  • Tumour on the tongue near the throat, which causes difficulty in speaking
  • Blood vessels at the base of the toungue look dark red or purple
  • Sweet or bitter or a rotten egg taste in mouth
  • Appearence of painful ulcers on the tongue and in different areas inside mouth.
  • Pain is worse by heat, between 3 am in the morning and 3 pm in the afternoon, and after drinking coffee

Laboratory experiments show that thuja occidentalis causes death of cancer cells while it has been indicated by animal studies that this remedy damages the structure of cancer cells, thereby restricting cell growth and metastasis.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Advances in Science, Engineering and Technology, thuja is useful in the treatment of oral and skin cancer in both topical and oral applications.

• Arsenicum Album
  Common name: Arsenic Trioxide
  Symptoms: This remedy acts best in young people who are weak and suffer from anaemia. It is helpful in the treatment of different types of cancer such as skin cancer and oral cancer. Arsenicum Album is especially helpful in treating oral cancers resulting from poisonous effects of chemicals and providing calmness and relief to last stage cancer patients. It also assists in maintaining a balance between different body functions in cancer patients. Persons with the following symptoms benefit from this remedy:
  • Cancer that leads to the formation of ulcers on the lips, tongue, and other areas inside the mouth.
  • Bleeding gums with intense burning sensation.
  • Burning type of pain inside the mouth, which gets worse at night.
  • Dryness and redness in tongue with a stitching type of pain.
  • A metallic taste in the mouth due to bleeding gums
  • A desire to drink warm water, which gives some relief in the burning pains
  • Pain from oral cancer that gets aggravated by drinking anything cold
  • Severe weakness, extreme restlessness with anxiety and fear of death during the illness.

A research study shows that arsenicum album helps in reducing inflammation in mouth (mucositis) caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

It has been scientifically proven that arsenic album is helpful as a supportive treatment in advanced stages of cancer and is effective in suppressing the growth of cancer cells  in the initial stages of brain and mouth cancer 

• Condurango or Cundurango
  Common name: Condor Plant
  Symptoms: This medicine acts best in people who are weak and pale due to chronic illnesses like cancer. Condor Plant is an excellent remedy for relieving the following symptoms:
  • Oral cancer resulting in painful boils or tumours in different areas of tongue, which leads to pain and burning sensation in mouth.
  • Cracks due to cancer in the corners of mouth which are very painful.

Animal studies suggest that cundurango induces cell death in lung cancer cells. The National Cancer Institute (USA) also accepts that cundurango is useful in the successful treatment of cancer of the oesophagus.

• Ruta Graveolens
  Common name: Rue Bitterwort
  Symptoms: This medicine works well in people with a strong and healthy body.
  • Ruta is useful in the treatment of cancer of the large intestines and other types of cancers including oral cancer.
• Hydrastis Canadensis
  Common name: Golden Seal
  Symptoms: This remedy acts best in old people and people who are weak and get tired easily, especially after chronic suffering. It is used in the treatment of cancers of the mucous membranes of mouth, stomach, liver, etc. People who benefit from this remedy usually experience the following symptoms:
  • Thick yellow stringy discharge from mucous membranes
  • Oral cancer is associated with the formation of ulcers inside mouth.
  • Tongue becomes large, loose because of inflammation caused by cancer (stomatitis) and shows marks of teeth.

Research studies indicate that homeopathcic remedies such as ruta and hydrastis work on the molecular level for suppressing the growth of cancer cells.

Homeopathic medicines are prepared in highly potentised doses. Their action can easily be disturbed due to some lifestyle and dietary factors. For a safe and effective treatment, it is essential to follow take the following points into consideration.

Do’s

• Follow a healthy lifestyle which includes a nutritious diet, and regular moderate exercise. (Read more: Balanced diet chart)
• Wherever possible, opt for natural and organic foods which are free from artificial colour or flavours.
• Maintain a hygeinic and clean environment inside the house, which should be well-ventilated so fresh air can come in.
• Wear comfortable clothes that suit the existing weather conditions.
• Read books and practice calming mediations to keep yourself distracted and to avoid stress and anxiety.

Don’ts

• Avoid strong drinks such as coffee, spicy soups or herb solutions that can interfere with the action of homeopathic medicines due to their medicinal properties.
• Avoid eating foods and drinks high in spices, artificial flavours, and colours.
• Avoid eating unhealthy, stale or spoilt vegetables and meat or fish.
• Avoid excess consumption of salt and sugar.
• Avoid overeating.
• Stay away from humid, marshy, and damp environment.
• Avoid using strong perfumes or air freshness inside the house.
• Avoid instances or circumstances that increase stress, anxiety, sadness or irritate the mind.

Homeopathy has an entirely different approach to disease treatment than conventional medicine. Constitutional homeopathic medicine not only treats disease symptoms but also individual tendency to developing certain diseases.

When taken in the early stages, homeopathic remedies help in controlling the progression and spread of cancer. In later stages (advanced stages), homeopathic medicines help in reducing the side effects of anti-cancer drugs such as nausea, vomiting, weakness, and loss of appetite. Additionally, homeopathic medicines improve the general health and quality of life of cancer patients by helping in the management of psychological symptoms such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

Several research studies indicate the effectiveness of a combination of homeopathic medicines (calendula, millefolium, belladone, arnica, hepar sulphuris, symphytum, mercurius, echiria purpura, aconitum napelus, chamomilla, bellis parennis and echinacea angustifolia – traumeel in decreasing stomatitis or inflammation inside the mouth caused by chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of cancer.

Case studies report that homeopathy also helps in preventing the reoccurrence of cancer to a certain extent.

Homeopathic medicines are extremely safe and effective to use in the early stages of oral cancer. They help relieve pain, weakness, nausea, vomiting, inflammation on the skin, and other side effects that are caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy used in the treatment of oral cancer. However, it is best to take these medicines after consulting a physician to ascertain the safety and efficiency of treatment.

Homeopathy is an effective therapy for the treatment of early stages of oral cancer. When taken under the supervision of a qualified physician, homeopathic remedies help slow down the growth and spread of cancer cells in early stages. In the later stages, it is used as palliative therapy along with standard anti-cancer drugs to relieve the side-effects caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy.