Herbs for Skin Melanoma

Skin cancer caused by melanoma is increasing every year. Certain herbs and herbal supplements can be used to treat melanoma and stop the melanoma cells spreading around the body to organs such as the lungs.

Melanoma

• There are two forms of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. Melanoma affects both men and women in equal measure and is more dominant in fair-skinned people ages 40 to 65. Melanoma can be caused by a long-term infection or by sunburn. Continued exposure to sunlight can weaken the immune system's ability to fight melanoma cells. Forms of melanoma can be stimulated by the hormones estrogen and insulin. Melanoma can develop from an existing mole or skin imperfection; it can also develop as a completely new growth.

Herbs

• Herbs and supplements can be used in the treatment of melanoma. Aloe gel contains an antihistamine that, when the gel is applied liberally over the skin, stops the production of the growth of melanoma.

  Certain herbs can help stimulate the development of cells that naturally fight and destroy melanoma cells. Included in these herbs is astragalus. Contained within some herbs is the substance daidzein, which can halt the growth of certain melanoma; herbs containing daidzein include kudzu and soy isoflavone. The cat's claw herb helps prevent estrogen binding to cancerous cells and stimulating cancer growth.

  Herbs can also be used to halt the spread of cancer around the body; polysaccharide kurema can reduce the rate at which melanoma spreads to the lungs, while lentinan powder reduces the rate at which melanoma cells invade cells outside the body. In forms of melanoma that respond to increased immune system activity, Siberian Ginseng supplements can be taken to aid increased immune system.

What to Avoid

• Some herbs can react badly to cancers such as melanoma and should be avoided in melanoma treatment. Herbs such as cordyceps, dan shen, fennel and peony should be avoided because they can stimulate estrogen production. Garlic can act as a stimulator for insulin and should also be avoided in melanoma treatment.