Besides traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, you may also hear about natural options that may help with mesothelioma.
Four mesothelioma natural treatment options include acupuncture, dietary supplements, aromatherapy, and meditation. While natural therapies should not be substituted for medical care, they could help ease symptoms or treatment side effects and improve your quality of life.
One mesothelioma survivor, Art Putt, credits chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and diet changes with saving his life. Given 6-12 months to live, Art has survived for over 7 years. When his throat was irritated from chemotherapy and immunotherapy, a natural blend of supplements helped repair the damage.
“At one time, doctors told me I’d never eat solid food again, but we showed them wrong.”
Learn about some of the most common mesothelioma natural treatment options below and find out how you can access them.
What Are Natural Treatments for Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma natural treatment options can help manage symptoms, reduce stress, and promote healing. They are considered alternative mesothelioma treatments and aren’t proven to directly treat cancer or help you live longer.
However, many patients have noted that natural options played a big role in boosting their quality of life while facing aggressive cancers like mesothelioma.
Examples of natural remedies for mesothelioma include:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Dietary supplements
- Meditation
Work with your doctors after a diagnosis to see how you can incorporate natural options into your broader mesothelioma treatment plan. Doing so could go a long way in helping you feel better as you face this cancer.
Learn more about mesothelioma natural treatment options below, or get detailed information in our Free Mesothelioma Guide.
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles at chosen points across the body. As a common facet of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is believed to restore the flow of life-force energy called “chi.”
Once the needles are in place, they can be moved by hand, stimulated with an electrical current, or warmed using infrared heat sources.
Scientific studies suggest acupuncture works by releasing neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin, which help stabilize mood, manage mesothelioma pain, and ease other symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Acupuncture is generally considered a safe mesothelioma natural treatment. However, always talk to your health care team beforehand. You may want to avoid acupuncture if you have a risk of infection or are on blood thinners, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
2. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy promotes healing and calmness through the use of essential oils. The oils are made from plants like ginger, cedarwood, and lavender to create different fragrances.
Using aromatherapy could potentially ease both emotional and physical mesothelioma symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting.
There are different ways to use aromatherapy, including:
- Applying essential oils to the skin. A carrier oil should be used to dilute the essential oils and prevent them from causing irritation.
- Breathing in aromas by using a diffuser that turns them into mist. Diffusing should only be done for short amounts of time and in well-ventilated areas.
- Receiving a massage where diluted oils will be applied to your skin.
Generally, there are no significant drawbacks to aromatherapy when used safely. If you have any concerns, speak with your mesothelioma specialist before trying it.
Get help understanding other treatments and what side effects to expect in our Free Mesothelioma Guide.
3. Nutritional Supplements & Diet Changes
Supplements and changes to your diet can replace or increase nutrients that your body uses. This allows you to stay stronger during your fight with mesothelioma and may make dealing with treatment side effects easier.
Options to improve your mesothelioma diet include:
- Herbs and spices
- Medicinal teas
- Nutrient-rich foods like vegetables
- Vitamins like B12, calcium, and magnesium
Astragalus and turmeric (circumin) are just a few herbs that may help if you have mesothelioma. Astragalus could ease chemotherapy side effects, according to The Open Access Research Journal of Biology and Pharmacy. Turmeric has also been studied for its anticancer properties.
Not all supplements and dietary changes are helpful. Some manufacturers use filler substances and even harmful drugs to make supplements. Supplements can also interfere with treatments like chemotherapy or radiation and interact with other medications.
Work with your doctors and dietitians on staff at cancer centers to find the best mesothelioma diet and supplements that could help you.
4. Meditation
Meditation allows you to calm your mind and relax your body. It is one of the most accessible forms of mesothelioma natural treatment since it doesn’t require any special equipment and can be done anywhere.
Meditation may help with mesothelioma symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Pain
You can check if your mesothelioma treatment center has a psychologist on staff who can teach you meditation and mindfulness techniques. Many mobile apps and online video courses also provide guided meditations.
More Mesothelioma Natural Treatments
If you’re interested in natural treatments beyond the ones listed above, there are plenty that can potentially help you after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Other natural mesothelioma treatment options include:
- Art therapy
- Caffeic acid
- Biofeedback (technique to manage breathing and heart rate)
- Massage
- Music therapy
- Reflexology (applying pressure to points on feet, ears, and hands)
- Relaxation techniques
- Yoga
Which natural mesothelioma remedies will work best for you depends on factors like the symptoms you’re experiencing, your overall health, and more. For best results, always consult your mesothelioma doctor before starting any of these therapies.
Can You Cure Mesothelioma Naturally?
No. There is no natural cure for mesothelioma cancer. Never substitute natural or alternative therapies for medically accepted mesothelioma treatments.
With that said, some of the longest-living mesothelioma survivors have used natural therapies as part of a broader treatment plan. Paul Kraus lived for nearly 3 decades after his diagnosis in 1997 and believed that changes to his diet and lifestyle helped stop the cancer from taking his life.
Paul used many natural treatment options, such as meditating, switching to a vegetarian diet, and using supplements like vitamin C, to fight not only mesothelioma but also brain cancer and advanced prostate cancer.
“Perseverance with my new lifestyle and a genuine belief that all would be well while addressing the health of body, mind, and spirit were invaluable.”
Get Help Accessing Natural Mesothelioma Remedies
Mesothelioma natural treatments like acupuncture, dietary changes, and more can go a long way to improving your quality of life in the face of cancer. With the guidance of a doctor, you can ensure these natural options will help while still getting medically proven treatments like chemotherapy.
Navigating which cancer treatments to get can be overwhelming, but Mesothelioma Hope is here to walk you through your options.
Our nurses and Patient Advocates can help you:
- Find natural mesothelioma treatments
- Pursue compensation to cover any costs
- Receive other helpful resources for mesothelioma
Get our Free Mesothelioma Guide or call (866) 608-8933 to learn how we can assist you or someone you love.
