Radiation therapy is a common and popular form of treating many serious conditions like cancer that involve unwanted tissues or growths that need to be killed off. However, the radiation process itself can include some side effects on other healthy tissues, and many patients and doctors are beginning to utilize various herbs for their chemo-protective effects on cells. Many herbs have profound antioxidant and cell-protecting properties that have been proven to be valuable in reducing the side effects prevalent in radiation therapy.
Function
It is believed that radiation can interact with oxygen in the body's cells and cause the breakdown of DNA that eventually leads to premature cell death. In fact, this is exactly what radiation therapy is designed to do to unwanted cells such as cancer. Many herbs have potent antioxidant properties that can prevent this damage to healthy cells in the human body and thereby prevent some of the unwanted damage that can result from radiation therapy.
Asparagus racemosus
Asparagus racemosus, also known as Shatavari in Ayurvedic medicine, has a long history of use as a tonic herb that is believed to greatly enhance the body's resistance to disease and damage. In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in August 2000, Indian researchers tested Asparagus racemosus's ability to protect the livers of rats from oxidative damage when they were subjected to radiation designed to affect liver function. They found that Shatavari was able to stop the destruction of both liver proteins and naturally occurring antioxidants in the rats' livers.
Ganoderm Lucidum
Ganoderma lucidum, also known as the reishi mushroom, has been used in Chinese medicine as a supreme longevity tonic and has been shown to posses high antioxidant activity. In a study published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology in July 2008, researchers tested a reishi extract's protective effect on rats that were given lethal amounts of radiation exposure. They found that the reishi extract was able to increase survival time in the rats up to 60 percent, compared to a pharmaceutical radioprotective drug.
Panax ginseng
Panax ginseng is an herb with a legendary reputation in Asia as an energizing tonic herb that is beneficial for the whole body. In a study published in the journal In Vivo in September-October of 1993, Korean researchers found that a ginseng extract may be able to protect cells and DNA from damage due to gamma radiation as well as help repair and regenerate damaged cells.
Potential
Many herbs and natural substances have been found to have high antioxidant levels that can effectively protect your cells from damage due to premature oxidation. The potential for many of these plant medicines to be effective in protecting the body from radiation-based damage and becoming allies for radiation patients is very high.
Tags: Asparagus racemosus, found that, Many herbs, radiation therapy, study published, also known
