Breast Cancer and Herbs

04/03/04

Current Research on Alternative and Holistic Therapies
Related Areas
Medicine Plants™ supports and encourages research on all types of alternative therapies for breast cancer. Whenever a clinical study on one of these therapies comes out, we report on the findings and tell you how it might affect YOUR treatment choices.

We also report on the many alternative therapies that have been shown to help manage the side effects and pain associated with breast cancer and breast cancer treatments.

Alternative Therapies May Help Treat Hot Flashes
Related Areas
Ask-the-Expert Conference: Complementary and Holistic Treatments
Research News:Pain Medication Neurontin Shows Promise for Relieving Hot Flashes

July, 2001
Importance of the study: Hot flashes affect nearly three-fourths of menopausal women. Breast cancer treatment can cause premature menopause, which results in more hot flashes that are also more intense than those in natural menopause. Also, the main side effect of one common treatment, tamoxifen, is hot flashes. This study explored the use of various alternative therapies to treat these hot flashes.

Study design: The researchers, from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, reviewed existing literature and studies on a variety of therapies. These included bellergal (a combination of the herb belladonna and phenobarbitol), clonidine (used to treat high blood pressure), soy phytoestrogens (estrogen-like substances that come from plants), vitamin E, gabapentin (Neurontin, used to treat epilepsy), and several antidepressants.

Study results: In general, these medications seem to work as well in women whose hot flashes are related to tamoxifen as they do in women with naturally occurring hot flashes. However, overall, more and larger studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of some of these treatments compared to a placebo (a "dummy" pill). More specifically:

Phytoestrogens: There are mixed results on whether or not these plant-based estrogens, found in soy and flax, substantially reduce hot flashes.

Bellergal: This drug has been approved by the FDA to treat hot flashes and in the 1970s and 1980s was widely used to treat hot flashes in women with a history of breast cancer. But phenobarbital, a barbiturate, may become addicting and shouldn't be used with alcohol, so long-term use isn't recommended.

Black cohosh: The German government's Commission E (an equivalent of the FDA) has approved this herb for menopausal symptoms. But a recent study from the United States didn't show a significant benefit over placebo. More studies are needed to prove the effectiveness of black cohosh.

Newer antidepressants: Fluoxetine (Prozac), venlafaxine (Effexor), and paroxetine (Paxil) show promising signs of being effective in reducing hot flashes.

Take-home message: If you are suffering from hot flashes related to tamoxifen or other cancer treatment, several non-estrogen alternatives may help relieve your symptoms. Check out the breastcancer.org menopause section, and ask your doctor for recommendations.

No studies have been done on MACA750™ in those who have had breast cancer. While many women who have had breast cancer are successfully using this herb to stop hot flashes we can recommend its use only if you are being followed by a physician who is familiar with this herb.

Be well,
Medicine Plants™

Health Disclaimer! The information presented on this site should not be construed as personal medical advice or instruction. You should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to your health and well-being. The information and opinions provided here are believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the authors, but readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

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