Materia Medica for Managing Cancer 

  • Chanchal Cabrera 
  • For practitioners interested in herbal cancer treatments
  • Two Hour Recording
  • Learn all about the healing powers herbs
  • Certificate of Completion
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Materia Medica for Managing Cancer 

This outline balances the scientific depth with practical applications, preparing attendees to use these powerful herbs, Artemisia annua, Thuja occidentalis, Taxus brevifolia, effectively and safely in their clinical practice.

Strategic Use of Botanicals in Cancer Care- Learn the following:

Prioritizing Treatments: When and how to introduce cytotoxic botanicals in the course of cancer treatment.
Complementing Conventional Therapies: Enhancing chemotherapy while ensuring safe integration of herbal remedies.
Patient-Centered Approach: Adjusting protocols based on the cancer type, stage, and individual patient factors.
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Detailed Materia Medica Review of the Three Cytotoxic Herbs

Course Lessons

Three Cytotoxic Herbs: A Clinical Materia Medica Review

Introduction: The Power and Risk of Cytotoxic Herbs in Cancer Care

Understanding Cytotoxicity: These herbs, while potent, are dangerous when misused.
Therapeutic Potential: They can complement conventional treatments like chemotherapy—enhancing its efficacy (e.g., artemisinin in brain cancer).
Not for the Faint of Heart: Requires strategic thinking, precise formulation, and careful monitoring for safety.

Strategic Use of Botanicals in Cancer Care

Prioritizing Treatments: When and how to introduce cytotoxic botanicals in the course of cancer treatment.
Complementing Conventional Therapies: Enhancing chemotherapy while ensuring safe integration of herbal remedies.
Patient-Centered Approach: Adjusting protocols based on the cancer type, stage, and individual patient factors.

Detailed Materia Medica Review of the Three Cytotoxic Herbs

1. Artemisia annua (Chinese Wormwood)

Pharmacology: Key compounds like artemisinin—targets cancer cells by oxidative stress.
Mechanism of Action: Disrupts cellular iron pathways, causing apoptosis in cancer cells.
Clinical Uses: Brain cancer and digestive system cancers.
Pharmacokinetics: Absorption, metabolism, and elimination pathways.
Safety: Dosing considerations, risks in pregnancy, and potential neurotoxicity.
Herb-Drug Interactions: Synergistic use with chemotherapy drugs; adverse interactions to avoid.

2. Thuja occidentalis (White Cedar)
Pharmacology: Contains thujone—induces apoptosis and suppresses tumor growth.
Mechanism of Action: Modulates immune response, anti-tumor activity through immune system stimulation.
Clinical Uses: Lymphomas and immune-related cancers.
Pharmacokinetics: Distribution and safe elimination of potentially toxic compounds.
Safety: Risks of neurotoxicity, dosing restrictions, and contraindications in pregnancy.
Herb-Drug Interactions: Potential interactions with immunosuppressants; cautions in combining with chemotherapy.

3. Taxus brevifolia (Pacific Yew)
Pharmacology: Source of paclitaxel (taxol)—a potent anti-cancer agent used in chemotherapy.
Mechanism of Action: Inhibits cell division by stabilizing microtubules.
Clinical Uses: Ovarian, breast, and lung cancers.
Pharmacokinetics: Complex metabolism and potential accumulation—dosing precision required.
Safety: Toxicity management and monitoring; careful use in liver-impaired patients.
Herb-Drug Interactions: Interaction potential with drugs metabolized by the liver, enhancing or inhibiting drug actions.

Herb-Drug Interactions and Safety Considerations

Navigating Risks: Identifying adverse interactions (e.g., liver metabolism and immune suppression).
Maximizing Benefits: Positive synergies between herbs and conventional treatments.
Dosing Precision: Tailoring doses to individual needs, ensuring efficacy while avoiding toxicity.
Contraindications: Understanding when to avoid use of these herbs based on patient factors (e.g., pregnancy, liver health).

Formulation and Dosing Strategies in Botanical Cancer Care

Customizing Treatment Protocols: How to balance cytotoxic herbs with patient health, cancer type, and treatment goals.
Safety First: Always prioritize patient safety by respecting dosing limits and monitoring effects.
Evidence-Based Practice: Integrating the latest peer-reviewed research on these herbs in cancer therapy.

Learning Objectives & Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will:

  1. Understand the role of three key cytotoxic herbs in cancer treatment. 
  2. Comprehend how these herbs work at a pharmacological level, including their active pathways and clinical applications. 
  3. Be aware of safety concerns, such as dosing, contraindications, and herb-drug interactions.
  4. Formulate and implement safe, effective botanical protocols for cancer patients.
  5. Maximize positive herb-drug synergies and minimize risks of adverse interactions.

Participants will be able to:

Confidently select and prioritize botanical treatments for cancer care.
Evaluate and address safety concerns with cytotoxic botanicals.
Identify and use positive herb-drug interactions to support patient outcomes.
Anticipate and avoid harmful herb-drug interactions.
Safely integrate Artemisia absinthium, Thuja occidentalis, and Taxus brevifolia into cancer care protocols.

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What to expect

Materia Medica for Managing Cancer 

3 Cytotoxic Herbs -  a materia medica review Artemisia annua, Thuja occidentalis, Taxus brevifolia in clinical practice  
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Get ready for an interactive session!

Course Overview


Lecture outline
These therapies are not for the faint of heart. They are cytotoxic, meaning poisonous in the wrong hands or under the wrong circumstances.

However, having said that, it is also important to note the value and utility of these herbs which can be combined in many cases alongside of conventional chemotherapy and sometimes even up-regulating it,  for example artemisinin and conventional chemo for brain cancer. 

Strategic thinking with herbs in cancer care – prioritizing treatments. Detailed materia medica review of selected herbs: 

    • pharmacology and how the herbs work, active pathways and clinical uses. 
    • pharmacokinetics and how the herbs get absorbed, distributed and eliminated.
    • herb drug interactions, safety, dosing, contraindications.

    Learning Objectives 
    • To discuss the use of three cytotoxic botanical agents in treating cancer To understand the mechanisms behind how these herbs can benefit cancer patients.

    • To review current peer-reviewed literature on the safety and efficacy of herbs in cancer care.

    • To review the process of formulating and dosing of botanical remedies in cancer cases.

    • To discuss risks and benefits of  herb / drug interactions.

    Learning Outcomes 
    After completion of this class the student will have the ability to:

    Determine appropriate botanical treatments, priorities and strategies in cancer care;

    Consider safety concerns with botanical medicine; 

    Anticipate and utilize positive drug / herb interactions;
    Anticipate and avoid adverse drug / herb interactions;

    Safely and appropriately use three cyto-toxic botanicals in cancer care.


    There will be an opportunity for questions and answers with Chanchal on the live.

    About Your Teacher:
    Chanchal Cabrera

    Chanchal is a medical herbalist and has been in clinical practice since 1987 with a specialty for the past 20 years in holistic oncology. She is the author of Fibromyalgia: A Journey towards Healing and her latest book Holistic Cancer Care: An Herbal Approach to Preventing Cancer, Helping Patients Thrive during Treatment, and Minimizing the Risk of Recurrence. She held the faculty chair in Botanical Medicine at the Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine in New Westminster 2004-2016, and she publishes widely in professional journals and lectures internationally on medical herbalism, nutrition and health.

    Chanchal is also a certified Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing) practitioner, a certified Master Gardener and a certified Horticulture Therapist. Chanchal lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia where she and her husband manage Innisfree Farm and Botanic Garden, a 7 acre internationally registered botanic garden specializing in food and medicine plants, and where they host apprenticeships in sustainable food production and herbal medicine. The farm also hosts Gardens without Borders, a federally registered not-for-profit society established to run the botanic garden and provide horticulture therapy.


    Find out more about Chanchal:

    www.chanchalcabrera.com
    facebook.com/chanchal.cabrera instagram.com/chanchal.cabrera/
    YouTube: @chanchal.cabrera
    Patrick Jones - Course author
    Improve your knowledge

    Materia Medica for Managing Cancer

    Learn from world renowned medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera about using Artemisia annua, Thuja occidentalis, Taxus brevifolia; 3 cytotoxic herbs in clinical practice.
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    Frequently asked questions

    Is this live or can I watch anytime?

    You can watch live on Tuesday 5th November at 7pm GMT or you can watch the recording following that, at your leisure.

    What is the investment?

    You can sign up for for £15

    How long is the webinar?

    It is around 60 minutes!

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