Reviews of Complementary Therapies

Complementary cancer therapies may be used in addition to conventional therapies such as chemotherapy or surgery. Many can help you manage side effects of conventional treatments and generally promote wellness. Some may work with your conventional treatments to improve your outcomes. Learn More about Complementary Cancer Care ›

The evidence of benefit can vary substantially from one cancer type or side effect to another. Check details before deciding on use.

Many more therapies are planned; see Upcoming Therapy Reviews › for links to trusted sites with information about many therapies we haven’t reviewed yet.

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243 therapies

Natural products, herbs, nutrients, and supplements

Natural Products, Herbs, Nutrients, and Supplements: Introduction

Artemisia Annua (Sweet Wormwood) and Artemisinin

The dried leaf or extract of the Artemisia annua plant or its natural derivative artemisinin are available as supplements with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.

Astragalus

A natural product commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine herbal mixtures may help to improve quality of life, manage side effects, and treat certain cancers.

Cannabis and Cannabinoids (Marijuana)

Medical cannabis and cannabinoids in raw or dried flowers, oils, capsules, powders, edibles, and topicals may reduce pain, and some evidence shows benefit with nausea, vomiting, and sleep, but little evidence of improving treatment outcomes.

Fermented Wheat Germ Extract

This dietary supplement may improve survival and your response to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, notably among people with colon cancer.

Flaxseed

This food and dietary supplement may reduce prostate cancer spread, improve survival in breast cancer, and lower the risk of several cancers.

Green Tea and EGCG

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding green tea’s and EGCG’s effects with cancer.

Iodine

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding iodine’s effects with cancer.

Lycopene

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding lycopene’s effects with cancer.

Melatonin

Melatonin supplements mimic the effects of your own naturally produced melatonin in promoting sleep, and research shows melatonin can have a substantial role in cancer outcomes and side effects.

Milk Thistle

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding milk thistle’s and silymarin’s effects with cancer.

Mistletoe

Extracts from this woody plant are injected or infused for cancer treatment, often reducing side effects and improving quality of life, and perhaps improving survival.

Modified Citrus Pectin

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding MCP’s effects with cancer.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding Omega-3s’ effects with cancer.

Pomi-T®

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding Pomi-T’s effects with cancer.

Probiotics

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding probiotics’ effects with cancer.

Quercetin

Quercetin, found in many plant-based foods and available as a supplement, is linked to improved body terrain, and especially lower inflammation.

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi mushroom is a natural product that may enhance immunity and response to chemo/radiotherapy, improve quality of life, and manage some side effects.

Resveratrol

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding resveratrol’s effects with cancer.

Soy and Genistein

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding soy’s and genistein’s effects with cancer.

Turkey Tail Mushroom

Extracts of turkey tail mushroom and its constituent PSK are used with conventional cancer treatment to improve survival and reduce risk of recurrence. The constituent PSP shows some benefit for pain, appetite, and percentage of body fat.

Turmeric and Curcumin

Turmeric, with the active component curcumin, is both a food and dietary supplement that may promote a better immune response and blood sugar levels, and may also help you manage some side effects.

Vitamin C

We share information from our predecessor website, Beyond Conventional Cancer Therapies.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a hormone created by the body when skin is exposed to ultraviolet rays in sunlight. It is found naturally in a small number of foods and can also be taken as a fat soluble dietary supplement.

Vitamin E

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding vitamin E’s effects with cancer.

Zyflamend™

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding Zyflamend’s effects with cancer.

Off-label, overlooked, or novel cancer approaches (ONCAs)

Off-label, Overlooked, or Novel Cancer Approaches (ONCAs): Introduction

Artesunate and Artemisinin-based Drugs

Prescription drugs derived from the Artemisia annua plant show very limited benefit in improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Aspirin

Aspirin is a widely available over-the-counter medication that shows substantial effects at promoting survival and reducing risk of many types of cancer, plus reducing inflammation and managing pain due to inflammation.

Cimetidine

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding cimetidine’s off-label effects with cancer.

Copper Chelation

Copper promotes the formation of blood vessels, including those that supply tumors. Depleting copper can deprive the tumor of its suppliers.

Hyperthermia

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding hyperthermia’s effects with cancer.

Low-dose Naltrexone

This prescription drug is used off-label in low doses to treat people with cancer, with notable but very preliminary successes in cases where the cancers were difficult-to-treat or quite advanced.

Metformin

Metformin, a prescription drug used to manage diabetes, has shown some benefits in reducing risks of cancer and improving survival.

Non-aspirin Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to reduce inflammation, with notable benefits in increasing survival and reducing risk of several types of cancer; expert consensus is that the risks of harm from using these drugs long-term for prevention are greater than the benefits for many people.

Propranolol and Other Beta Blockers

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding propranolol’s and other beta blockers’ effects with cancer.

Rapamycin (Sirolimus)

By blocking certain functions of the mTOR enzyme, rapamycin reduces cell growth. It therefore may be useful in treating or preventing proliferative diseases, including cancer.

Statins

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding statins’ effects with cancer.

Timing of Therapies

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding the effects of timing of therapies with cancer.

Mind-body therapies

Mind-Body Therapies: Introduction

Guided Imagery

This mind-body therapy uses your imagination to help you relax, relieve symptoms, stimulate your body’s healing responses, access inner strengths and resources, and tolerate procedures and treatments better.

Relaxation Techniques

Relaxation techniques refocus your attention on something calming and increase awareness of your body, often bringing your attention to your breathing, muscles, or other body functions to relax and calm them.

Support Groups and Interventions

Small group meetings of people facing similar challenges help many people in managing distress and side effects of cancer treatments.

Tai Chi or Qigong

An evidence-based review of the use of tai chi or qigong for cancer and safety: may help manage side effects and promote wellness and optimize body terrain.

Yoga

An ancient mind-body practice combining movement and stretches with meditation, yoga is used to manage symptoms and side effects and body terrain imbalances common in cancer.

Manipulative and body-based methods

Manipulative and Body-Based Therapies: Introduction

Acupressure

Acupressure involves applying pressure on specific places on your body to relieve several side effects of cancer and cancer treatments.

Acupuncture

This ancient therapy originating in China involves inserting very thin needles into the body surface at specific points; it is effective in treating many cancer symptoms and side effects.

Electroacupuncture

By inserting very thin needles at specific points on the body and passing a mild electric current between them, electroacupuncture can relieve some side effects and symptoms common during cancer.

Massage Therapy

Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding massage therapy’s effects with cancer.

Moxibustion

During moxibustion, a trained therapist burns an herb to apply heat close to the skin at specific points, with improvements in several common side effects of cancer treatments.

Diets & metabolic therapies

Diets and Metabolic Therapies: Introduction

Fasting

Fasting, whether for 12 or more hours every night or for occasional periods of 24 hours or longer, can improve several body terrain factors and is linked to better outcomes in some types of cancer.

Gerson Regimen

The Gerson regimen is a diet-based therapy targeting cancer cell metabolism; it includes a specific diet, supplements, and coffee enemas.

Gonzalez Protocol™

The Gonzalez Protocol™ uses freeze-dried pork pancreas, supplements, an individualized diet, and coffee enemas to alter cancer metabolism and inhibit growth.

Ketogenic Diet

Ketogenic diets are high in fat, moderate in protein and low in carbohydrates, with weak to preliminary evidence of anticancer effects, relief of side effects, and benefits on your body terrain.

Mediterranean Diet

A Mediterranean diet is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and olive oil and low in meat, sweets, and saturated fat. It is linked to lower risks of cancer and relief of some symptoms and imbalances common among people with cancer.

Energy therapies

Energy Therapies: Introduction

Acupressure

Acupressure involves applying pressure on specific places on your body to relieve several side effects of cancer and cancer treatments.

Acupuncture

This ancient therapy originating in China involves inserting very thin needles into the body surface at specific points; it is effective in treating many cancer symptoms and side effects.

Electroacupuncture

By inserting very thin needles at specific points on the body and passing a mild electric current between them, electroacupuncture can relieve some side effects and symptoms common during cancer.

Healing Touch

Healing touch uses gentle, intentional touch that contributes to balanced physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Moxibustion

During moxibustion, a trained therapist burns an herb to apply heat close to the skin at specific points, with improvements in several common side effects of cancer treatments.

Polarity Therapy

Hands-on touch removes energy blocks and restores free flow of energy, promoting benefits for many side effects.

Reiki

This biofield energy therapy directs and balances the life force through practitioners’ hands to promote wellness.

Tai Chi or Qigong

An evidence-based review of the use of tai chi or qigong for cancer and safety: may help manage side effects and promote wellness and optimize body terrain.

Therapeutic Touch®

This biofield energy therapy directs energy exchange through practitioners’ hands to rebalance your energy field.

Exercise & movement therapies

Exercise and Movement Therapies: Introduction

Tai Chi or Qigong

An evidence-based review of the use of tai chi or qigong for cancer and safety: may help manage side effects and promote wellness and optimize body terrain.

Yoga

An ancient mind-body practice combining movement and stretches with meditation, yoga is used to manage symptoms and side effects and body terrain imbalances common in cancer.

Other therapies

Time in Nature or Forest Bathing

Simply spending time in nature shows benefits both for body terrain factors linked to cancer and for reducing cancer risk. It may also help with symptoms common among people with cancer.

Don’t see what you’re looking for?

Are you looking for a complementary cancer therapy that you don’t see here? Check our list of upcoming therapy reviews, including a list of expert programs that use each and links to helpful sites.

Reviews of Complementary Therapies

243 therapies

Natural products, herbs, nutrients, and supplements

Artemisia annua and artemisinin

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Reducing cancer risk

Use by integrative oncology experts

Safety

Affordability and access

Astragalus

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Reducing cancer risk

Use by integrative oncology experts

Safety

Affordability and access

Cannabis and cannabinoids

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Reducing cancer risk

Use by integrative oncology experts

Safety

Affordability and access

Diindolylmethane

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Reducing cancer risk

Use by integrative oncology experts

Safety

Affordability and access

Fermented wheat germ extract

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Reducing cancer risk

Use by integrative oncology experts

Safety

Affordability and access

Flaxseed

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Reducing cancer risk

Use by integrative oncology experts

Safety

Affordability and access

Green tea and EGCG

Iodine

Lycopene

Melatonin

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Reducing cancer risk

Use by integrative oncology experts

Safety

Affordability and access

Milk thistle

Mistletoe

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Reducing cancer risk

Use by integrative oncology experts

Safety

Affordability and access

Modified citrus pectin

Omega-3 fatty acids

Pomi-T®

Probiotics

Quercetin

Improving treatment outcomes

Optimizing your body terrain

Managing side effects and promoting wellness

Reducing cancer risk