Photo Credit: Madlen / Shutterstock.com
5. Camellia Sinensis/Black Tea
Black tea is made from the same plant as green tea but it has different cancer protective actions. Both green and black teas are rich sources of antioxidants, which protect the body from cancer formation and recurrence.
I use black tea bags for people who have large, infected external tumors. Cancerous tumors have a strong blood supply which makes them prone to bleeding. They often have a foul odor. By applying black tea bags directly to the tumor site, bleeding is controlled and odor decreases.
Black tea also has antibacterial actions that help to reduce secondary infections, as well as abundant tannins, which constrict the blood vessels thereby reducing bleeding.
If using black tea bags to control bleeding, purchase tea bags that do not contain staples. I prefer the ones used for brewing iced tea as they are larger. Inexpensive brands of tea bags are fine to use. Do not moisten the teabags prior to using them.
After applying the teabags and leaving them in place, it is likely that you will need to apply an absorbent dressing over the area. Change the dressing as often as needed or as directed by your health care provider.
You may also use moistened black tea bags to relieve pain caused by hemorrhoids. Many people who have cancer become very constipated due to poor diet, narcotic use, and the action of chemotherapy treatments. Hemorrhoids may occur as a result of straining for bowel movements.
Apply the tea bags topically as needed. This is especially soothing if you moisten the tea bags and store them in a refrigerator prior to applying them for the relief of pain, itchiness, and swelling associated with hemorrhoids.
Resources
National Institutes of Health (Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as adjuvant in cancer therapy.)National Institutes of Health (Effects of a green tea extract, Polyphenon E, on systemic biomarkers of growth factor signalling in women with hormone receptor-negative breast cancer)
After getting the cancer diagnosis you will have to inform others in your life about the news. Follow these tips for telling loved ones you have cancer.
