When combined with traditional treatments, natural treatments can help mesothelioma patients find relief from painful symptoms and improve their quality of life while fighting this aggressive cancer.
If you think natural treatments might help you, learn about some options below and talk with your doctor to see what they recommend.
What Are Natural Treatments for Mesothelioma?
Natural treatments, also known as alternative treatments, can help mesothelioma patients manage symptoms, reduce stress, and promote healing.
Examples of natural treatments for cancer include:
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Dietary supplements
- Meditation
These approaches are not intended to replace standard mesothelioma treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy. Instead, alternative treatments are meant to accompany standard treatments.
This is because natural treatments are unlikely to cure mesothelioma or other kinds of cancer, but they can help ease some of the pain and even reduce the side effects of traditional treatments.
Learn more about some natural mesothelioma treatments below or get detailed information about treatment in our Free Mesothelioma Guide.
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the application of fine needles to 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.”
Medical science suggests acupuncture works by releasing neurotransmitters like endorphins and serotonin, which help stabilize mood and ease pain.
Once the needles are in place, they can be moved by hand, stimulated with an electrical current, or warmed using infrared heat sources.
Small clinical trials have shown that acupuncture can help with multiple symptoms of cancer, although more research is required to confirm these results.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), acupuncture can relieve:
- Nausea and vomiting related to cancer treatments
- Pain caused by cancerous tumors
Acupuncture is generally considered a safe natural treatment for mesothelioma patients. However, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) states that some patients should avoid acupuncture if they have a risk of infection or are on blood thinners.
Talk with your health care team to see if acupuncture might be a good option for you.
2. Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy promotes healing and calmness through the use of essential oils. These oils are made from plants, including ginger, cedarwood, and lavender, to create different fragrances.
Ways to use aromatherapy include:
- Applying or massaging diluted essential oils into the skin. A carrier oil should be used to dilute the essential oils and prevent them from causing irritation.
- Inhaling aromas by using a diffuser that spreads the oils as a fine mist. Diffusing should only be done for limited amounts of time and in well-ventilated areas to avoid toxic reactions.
The benefits of aromatherapy vary between patients, according to the NCI.
Mesothelioma symptoms eased by aromatherapy may include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia
- Nausea and vomiting
Generally, there are no drawbacks to aromatherapy when used safely, but patients should speak with their mesothelioma specialist before trying it.
Get help understanding other mesothelioma treatments and what side effects to expect in our Free Mesothelioma Guide.
3. Dietary or Nutritional Supplements
Dietary supplements are broadly defined as any edible product that may help you get optimal nutrition.
Dietary supplements include:
- Herbs
- Minerals
- Plant- or animal-based products
- Vitamins
Dietary supplements can sometimes be used to replace or increase nutrients. For example, a mesothelioma patient with frequent vomiting might use a multivitamin to get the nutrients they’re missing from food.
Supplements can also help the body naturally repair itself and reduce treatment-related side effects.
One mesothelioma survivor, Arthur Putt, was able to relieve throat irritation from chemotherapy and immunotherapy by incorporating specific nutrients into his diet. This allowed him to eat solid foods again, something his medical team said wasn’t possible.
However, not all nutritional supplements are safe. Some manufacturers use filler substances and even harmful drugs to make their dietary supplements. Supplements can also interfere with chemotherapy and radiation treatments and interact with other medications.
Always talk with your doctor before taking any supplements.
4. Meditation
Meditation allows patients to calm their minds, which in turn can relax their bodies. It can help ease cancer symptoms, according to Cancer Research UK.
Meditation can help with symptoms like:
- Fatigue
- High blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Pain
Meditation is one of the most accessible forms of natural treatment since it doesn’t require any special equipment and can be done anywhere.
Some mobile apps provide affordable guided meditations, but you can also work with a psychologist or certified meditation instructor. Some cancer treatment centers have psychologists on staff who can teach you meditation and mindfulness practices.
Other Mesothelioma Natural Treatments
The natural treatments listed above are some of the most popular among cancer patients, but there are many more available.
Other natural mesothelioma treatment options include:
- Art therapy
- Biofeedback (a technique to control your breathing and heart rate)
- Massage
- Music therapy
- Reflexology (applying pressure to certain points on the feet, ears, and hands)
- Yoga
The American Cancer Society recommends speaking with your health care team before starting any alternative cancer treatments.
Finally, you should never substitute natural mesothelioma therapies for standard medical treatments. Standard mesothelioma treatment is the best way for you to increase your life expectancy since it can directly kill or remove cancerous tumors.
Get Help Paying for Natural Treatments
Even if your doctor recommends alternative treatments, health insurance may not cover those costs. Thankfully, there are other ways you can access financial assistance for natural mesothelioma treatment.
Some compensation options include:
At Mesothelioma Hope, our Patient Advocates can help you connect with treatment and financial resources so you or a loved one can get the care you deserve.
Call us at (866) 608-8933 now or get our Free Mesothelioma Guide to learn more.
