Friday, May 30, 2008

Herbs & Their Preparation FAQ

Modern medicine regards cancer as a localised disease expressed in the form of a tumour. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are treatments aimed at the removal or destruction of such tumours and cancerous cells. If this viewpoint is indeed true, it means that after such successful medical treatments, we should not expect any more tumour growth.

Unfortunately, most cancer patients know that this is far from the truth. Dr. Karl Poehlmann wrote, Every therapy that only aims at the destruction of the tumour must be unsuccessful in the long run. To every thinking person it is quite clear that cancer producing "therapies" like radiation and more so chemotherapy cannot possibly work. Dr. Ulrich Abel of University of Heidelberg, in his book Chemotherapy of Advanced Epithelial Cancer, evaluated all available medical statistics until 1995 about chemotherapy and concluded that positive results (excepting, of course pharmaceutical company profits) are at best wishful thinking or "correlated statistics".

Complementary healing methods regards cancer as a general disease of the body and the tumour as only a symptom. Cancer is a result of the accumulation of toxins in the body. As such, the first and important healing treatment for cancer is to detoxify the body, not adding in more poison! In addition, we must avoid the further addition of toxins into the body system by practising a proper and healthy diet.


Based on these views, Cancer Care Therapy has advocated the use of herbs for healing and the eating of proper healthy food. In addition, there is the need to strengthen the body’s immune system. A strengthened and cleansed body shall then be able to heal itself. The herb used in CA Care Therapy are formulated with these views in mind and with the main aim of healing the whole person.

Herbal Teas Formulated by CA Care
How to prepare the herbal teas?
How to schedule the intake of herbal teas?



Herbal Teas Formulated by CA Care


Most cancer patients who came to us are medically written-off cases. They have exhausted all avenues of modern medical treatments. So, in addition to detoxifying the body, we have to alleviate many other discomforts like pain, severe weakness, severe coughs with excessive phlegm or breathlessness, constipation (often, morphine-induced), ascites, distended abdomen, edema, etc. We have formulated herbal teas to provide relief and healing of such problems.

The following are some of the herbs provided by us.






Herbs for Detoxification

Capsule A This consists of a mixture of herbs for general cancer. All cancer patients are to take two capsules, three to four times per day, preferably on empty stomach. If the patient has gastric problems these capsules are to be taken after food. The function of Capsule A is to detoxify the body system.

Capsule B This consists of a mixture of herbs which is taken together with (in addition to) Capsule A with honey water, for persons with liver problems or suffering from liver cancer. As with Capsule A, Capsule B is taken three to four times per day.

deTox Tea, C-Tea and LL-Tea These are herbal teas and we recommend that a person drinks one to two litres per day. Take this tea as your daily drinking water. The function of this tea is for general cleansing of the body. DeTox is for those with NPC, prostate and bladder cancer; and also people with urinary problems in general. C-Tea is for those with various cancers while LL-Tea is specifically for those with liver cancer and leukemia.






Herbs for Pain

Pain is the most common problem experienced by cancer patients. The pain can be due to inflammation, a tumour, or the tumour pressing on the the nerves or organs. Tumour metabolites can sometimes stimulate the nerves and muscles or joints to cause pain. The basic dictum of Chinese medicine is that, If there is pain, there is no free flow, if there is no free flow, there is pain. Lack of free flow could be due to stagnation or stasis, thus obstructing the flow of qi and blood. Deficiency of qi may also result in poor blood circulation. This can also cause pain. A few herbal mixtures have been formulated to help patients who are in pain.

Pain Tea This herbal mixture does not contain any pain killer. It relieves pain by promoting blood circulation. Depending on severity, Pain Tea can be taken one to six times per day. Prepare the tea per instructions found at the top of the box. Initially, patients can gradually decrease the intake of pain killers or morphine when they start taking our herbs. In many cases, after taking Pain Tea, patients do not have to take morphine or pain killers any more. They do not have to continue taking the Pain Tea once the pain is completely gone. Pain Tea actually heals the pain.

Pain Solution This herbal mixture is steeped in Chinese wine and is usually recommended for those in need of quick relief from pain. It is for external use only. The solution is applied onto the painful part of the body.






Herbs for Coughs

A cough is not a disease. It is a symptom of lung disorder or the dysfunction of the internal organs i.e., internal injuries of the spleen and kidneys. Such impairment could lead to accumulation of fluid, phlegm and fire. Depending on the syndrome, patients are to take the appropriate herbal cough mixtures.

Cough No. 1 is for dry, long standing coughs with little mucous. Sometimes the sputum can be blood-tinged. There is dryness in the mouth and throat and feverish sensations in the palms and soles.

Cough No. 3 is for coughs producing yellow, thick and sticky sputum. Sometimes, the patient may feel fullness in the chest, has shortness of breath and may experience nausea or vomiting.

Cough No. 5 is for coughs producing thick, sticky, white phlegm. There may be fullness in the chest, nausea or headache and dizziness.

Cough No. 6 is generally for elderly persons who have productive coughs with shortness of breath, chest upset or indigestion. The sputum is whitish and foamy.

Cough No. 11 is for non-productive coughs with an itchy feeling in the throat. The patient is with or without chill or fever.

Cough No. 12 is for those with phlegm that seems to be stuck in the throat and is difficult to expectorate.






Herbs for Constipation

Constipation refers to difficulty in passing stools. This could be due to excess internal heat leading to dry intestines. Weakness of the body is another cause of constipation and in this case, the stools are not necessarily dry or hard. Most cancer patients suffer from constipation. Their stools are dry and bowels are moved only once in several days. These patients usually produce small amounts of deep yellow urine. Elderly patients generally have difficulty in passing stools although there is an urge to defecate.





Herbs for Phlegm and Fluid Retention


Retention of phlegm and fluid leads to excessive water in certain parts of the body resulting in swelling, bloatedness and ascites. Phlegm is thick and turbid while fluid is clear and thin. Chinese medical scholars are of the opinion that phlegm and retained fluid were of the same origin, holding that fluid is the initial form of phlegm. The cause is the malfunction of the spleen leading to disorder of the transportation, transformation and distribution of the body fluid. This disorder is manifested in various symptoms. Ascities is the internal accumulation of fluid, especially in the peritoneal cavity, causing the abdomen to swell. Edema is the accumulation of fluid in the subcutaneous tissues expressed by puffiness of the head, face, eyelids, limbs, abdomen, back and scrotum. It is a result of malfunctions of the heart, liver and kidney. Abdominal distension is the enlargement of the abdomen accompanied by dark yellow coloration of the skin or visible superficial veins on its surface.

Ascities Tea Many cancer patient suffer from ascities. The medical answer to this problem is to puncture the abdominal cavity and draw out the fluid. In severe cases, this has to be done as often as once every few days. An alternative to surgical intervention is to take Ascites Tea, one to three times per day and experience the amazing results!

Edema-Upper Tea is for the swelling of the face, hands and other upper parts of the body.

Edema-Lower Tea is for the swelling of the legs and the lower parts of the body.

Abdominal Distension Tea is for the tight and hardened enlargement of the abdomen. In severe cases, the tea can be taken two to three times per day.

Lung Phlegm Tea is for those in which there is fluid or phlegm in the lungs resulting in laboured or difficult breathing.






Herbs for Strengthening Body Resistance

Most cancer patients who come to us are generally weak or exhausted. The use of proper herbs to increase body resistance and body vitality is recommended.

Chemo-Tea Those who are currently on chemotherapy generally benefit from taking this tea. It strengthens the body, reduces nausea and vomiting and encourages appetite.

Radio-Tea is especially formulated for those who are currently undergoing radiotherapy. It strengthens the body, encourages appetite and helps in blood formation.

Appetite Tea helps in restoring appetite.

Vomiting Tea helps those who experience problems of nausea and vomiting.

T & E Tea for patients who tumours in their body and or lack energy.






Herbs for Specific Cancers

In addition to taking Capsule A or Capsule A and Capsule B for liver cases, and deTOX, C-Tea and LL Tea, we have formulated various teas for specific cancers.

Brain Tea for brain cancer.

Bone Tea for bone cancer.

Breast Cancer Teas:
Breast L are for those with fixed or movable hard mammary masses;
Breast M are for those exhibiting metastasis or who have suffered relapses after chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Cervical Tea for cervical cancer

Fibroid Tea - GY6 This is not a cancer tea. We have formulated this tea for benign lumps in the reproductive organs.

GI 1 and GI 2 Tea are for colon and rectal cancer.

Leukemia Tea for leukemia.

Lung 1 and Lung 2 Teas for lung cancer.

Liver-P Tea for liver cancer and various hepatitis.

Lymphoma 1 and Lymphoma 2 Tea for cancer of the lymph nodes

NPC 1, NPC 2 and NPC Phlegm Teas are for nasopharyngeal cancer.

Throat & Oesophagus Tea for throat and oesophagus cancer.

Tougue 1 and Tougue 2 for tongue cancer.

Prostate Cancer Teas:
Prostate A is for prostate cancer.
Prostate B is for those with sporadic urination or possible urinary obstruction, low abdominal fullness and pain in the back.

Stomach Tea for stomach cancer.

Utero-Ovary Tea for uterine cancer.






Herbs for Miscellaneous Problems

Blood-in-Urine Tea for those who pass out blood in the urine.

Stomach Function Tea for those with gas or flatulence, feeling of fullness of the stomach, nausea, vomiting and acid regurgitation; for those who experience pains that change positions around the abdominal area.

Hiccup Tea is for those who suffer from unceasing hiccups.

Blood-in-Stool Tea is for those who pass out blood in the stools.

Jaundice Teas:
Jaundice Heat for jaundiced conditions with heatiness symptoms.

Jaundice Cold for jaundiced conditions with cold symptoms.

Art-Rhu Capsule is for those with general arthritic joint pains and rheumatism.

Menopause Capsule is for women who are going through menopause and experience menopausal symptoms like, hot flashes, insomnia, bodily discomfort and so forth.

PMS Capsule is for those who find themselves experience premenstrual symptoms such as being easily irritated and angry; bloated abdomen, tenderness of breasts, cravings for certain foods, etc.

Flu Teas:
Heat Flu is for those who are having flu, with hot breaths, feverish and produce yellow phlegm. Their urine is of a deeper yellow coloration.
Cold Flu is for those who are having flu, with aversion to cold. The urine is normally of very light coloration. The phlegm is normally white or colorless.

Insomnia Tea is for those who could not sleep at night.

PS Solution is an oil steeped with herbs, used to reduce swellings and pains. It is for external application only.






How to prepare the herbal teas?
Instructions and tips on how to prepare and take the herbal teas:


Tips for preparation:

You will need a cooking pot (glass, clay or stainless steel) for preparation of tea. Choose one that is big enough to prevent boiling over.

To save time spent in kitchen preparing the teas, you may boil more than one herbal tea at the same time. In this case you will need two or more pots and stoves. All teas must be boiled separately, strained and kept in separate thermos flasks.

The teas are to be taken separately, at separate times (preferably at least 1 -2 hours apart). Before the appropriate time to take the prepared herbal tea, pour out the tea into a cup to allow it to cool to a comfortable temperature for drinking.

Do not keep the tea overnight. It may turn sour.


Instructions for preparing various teas may differ. Please follow the instructions given at the top of the box. Below are some tips and general instructions for the preparation of the various herbs.


deTox Tea, C-Tea and LL-Tea


How to prepare: The amount of tea to use is stated on the label. Boil tea in 1 litre water. When water boils, lower flame and simmer for about 25 minutes. Turn off the flame and allow sediments to settle. Sieve tea into a thermos flask to keep for drinking.


We recommend that you drink 1 or 2 litres of tea per day. Drink tea throughout the day as drinking water. When you have finished the tea, you may drink water as usual.



Other Herbal Teas:

How to prepare: The amount of tea to use is stated on the label. Generally you need to use 6 Tablespoonfuls (heap) tea to 3 cups (1 cup about 230 – 250 ml) water in a cooking pot. Put to boil without covering the pot. Use medium flame when water starts boiling. Continue boiling until about 1 cup water is left. Strain the tea. You can discard the debris or reboil it to make another cup of tea to drink later. Allow tea to cool down (warm) before consuming.

Drink on type of at a time. Give an hour or two, before you take the next tea. If you find the taste in your mouth is unpleasand, munch a small piece of fruit after consuming tea. That will help, but do not take sweets or artificial sweeteners.



Pain Tea:

How to prepare: Add 3 Tablespoonful (heap) tea to 3 cups (1 cup about 230 – 250 ml) water in a cooking pot. Put to boil as described earlier.

Tips: Pain Tea can also be boiled with another herbal tea (e.g., Brain, Bone, Breast, Cervical, Lung, Liver P, Lymphoma, Prostate, Stomach, Utero-Ovary, Ascites, Abdominal Distension, etc.). This saves preparation time. In this case, use 3 Tablespoons of Pain Tea + 6 Tablespoons of any tea into 3 or 4 cups water and boil down to 1 cup. Note that only Pain Tea can be mixed with other teas. Other teas need to be boiled separately.



Example of preparation of herbal teas

Patient taking Breast M, Liver P, Ascites and 5 times of Pain Tea per day.

1. 6 Tablespoons Breast M + 3 Tablespoons of Pain Tea: Boil as described above.

2. 6 Tabolespoons of Liver P + 3 Tablespoons of Pain Tea: Boil as described above.

3. 6 Tablespoons of Ascites + 3 Tablespoons of Pain Tea: Boil as described above.

4. Patient needs to take 2 more doses of Pain Tea: Add 6 (3+3) Tablespoons Pain to 6 cups water and boil as described above. Boil until 2 cups. Take one cup of Pain Tea at a time.

More tips: Sometimes patient takes finds it difficult to drink too much teas. In such a situation, the teas can be concentrated by boiling longer to reduce the volume to ¾ or ½ a cup instead of 1 cup.






How to schedule the intake of herbal teas?


Take for example a patient who is prescribed:

1. Capsule A + B, 2 + 2 capsules three times a day. Note: Capsule A+B need to be taken with honey water. In this case use a half-teaspoon of honey in warm water and drink it together with the capsules. If you are only taking Capsule A, then it is not necessary to drink with honey water.

2. LL-tea, drink as drinking water.

3. Breast M tea, once a day.

4. Liver P tea, once a day.

5. Ascites tea, once a day.

6. Pain tea, 3 times a day.


You may plan your schedule as below:

Morning

Wake up: Take 2 cap A + 2 cap B with honey water, on empty stomach. If you have gastric problem, take capsules after breakfast. Honey is for medicinal purpose. Do not replace with sugar.

Mid-morning, ONE hours after breakfast. Take Breast M + Pain teas.

Afternoon

ONE HOUR before or after lunch: Take 2 cap A + 2 cap B with honey water.

Mid-afternoon: Ascites + Pain teas.

Evening

Late evening ONE hour before dinner. Liver P + Pain Teas.

Before going to bed: Take 2 cap A + 2 cap B with honey water.

The above schedule is just an example. You don't have to strictly follow the suggestion. Please make your own schedule that suits your circumstances.