Can we give natural remedies to a cancer patient aged 66?

Question

Hello doctor,

My mother is 66 and on treatment for lung cancer, and family members keep bringing natural remedies, teas, and powders. She has a low appetite, albumin 2.9 g/L, and Hb 9.4.

What should a family research before giving a 66-year-old lung cancer patient natural remedies?
Should oncologists always be informed before starting anything?
Can these products affect the liver or kidneys and delay chemo cycles?
We want to help her feel better, but fear making mistakes due to wrong information online. She trusts family advice more than doctors sometimes.

Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I wish her a speedy recovery. If she is currently receiving chemotherapy for lung cancer, it is normal and expected to have these side effects, such as loss of appetite, weight loss, and a weaker general condition.

But once we finish the chemotherapy sessions, she usually improves significantly and gradually becomes able to eat and drink normally again. If she were on immunotherapy, the side effects would usually be much less.

Regarding herbal remedies or teas, there is no major harm from them, but we should not overuse them to avoid affecting the kidneys and liver. So if any herbal drink is taken, it should be only once daily; there is no need to increase it, especially since there is no strong medical evidence for them.

The diet we should focus on includes well-washed fruits and vegetables, drinking large amounts of water to support kidney function, and increasing protein intake, such as fish and meat, to help improve albumin levels.

All of these issues usually return to normal once chemotherapy is stopped, and she gradually returns to her usual condition. The essential treatment plan involves best supportive care.

I hope you find this helpful.

Your mother will be fine. For more queries, feel free to ask anytime.

Thank you.