Thinking outside the box when treating cancer is worth considering. There are many alternative holistic options which can understandably be confusing. Here are a few tips that I recently learned and want to share.

Berberine is a natural plant extract derived from the barberry root and from goldenseal. It has been known for many years as an alternative to metformin, a pharmaceutical that controls blood sugar. Berberine has been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.

Berberine may also help with high blood pressure, cholesterol control, weight management, heart health, gut health and improve longevity, but the focus in this article is on its potential cancer benefits. Berberine is said to shut down 6 cancer pathways and to lower glucose levels.

Glucose feeds cancer cells and if a blood test shows elevated glucose levels, berberine is highly recommended in addition to diet adjustments. In a peer reviewed study, berberine was shown to induce apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells.

The recommended dosage is 500mg of berberine hydrochloride, two to three times daily. It is best taken with meals to minimize any stomach upset. Berberine is also a broad anti-microbial. Cancer often involves microbial presence at the cell level. Because of its anti-microbial properties, consider taking breaks every few months for a week or two or add a probiotic.

Another tip involves combining manuka honey and organic dried ginger powder. Manuka honey has known anti-cancer properties and research shows the dried form of ginger when combined with manuka honey may be even more effective. In a shot glass, put a tablespoon of manuka honey (or raw honey) and then add a half to one tablespoon of organic dried ginger powder, working it back and forth with a spoon until it turns almost into a ball.