Home Remedies and Herbs for Colorectal Cancer (Colon Cancer)

Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer, is when tumors form in the lining of the large intestine, which the colon and rectum are a part of.¹ Colorectal cancer can occur in men and women, although risk increases after age 50. Colorectal cancer typically starts as benign adenomas, or non-cancerous growths, in the colon or rectum. It can take 10 to 20 years before these growths become cancerous, but if caught early through regular screening, it is easy to remove these growths before they become cancerous.²

What causes Colorectal / Colon Cancer?

It is not always clear what causes colorectal cancer, although doctors do know that it occurs when the cells in your colon or rectum develop DNA errors.3 Colorectal cancer may occur due to inheriting gene mutations, but there are many other factors that contribute to your risk. Some other risk factors include:

• Smoking
• Eating a high-fat diet
• Having a family history of cancer
• Drinking alcohol heavily
• Having diabetes2

Colorectal / Colon Cancer Symptoms

Colon cancer may not result in any symptoms at first, but as time goes on, individuals may experience the following symptoms:

• Constipation or diarrhea
• Blood in your stool
• Narrow stool
• Frequent bloating, cramps, or gas
• Unexplained weight loss
• A feeling that the bowel does not completely empty
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue¹

Colorectal / Colon Cancer Natural Options and Alternative Treatments

Patients with colon cancer may undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of the three to treat their cancer.1 If detected early, surgery can typically cure a patient of their cancer, but to prevent it from returning and to slow its progression, patients may turn to colon cancer natural remedies. Start by considering these colon cancer alternative treatment options:

• Grape Seed Extract – Grape seed extract is one of the best colorectal cancer home remedies. The extract contains proanthocyanidins and helps slow the growth of cancer cells. You can take colorectal cancer herbal supplements like this by the teaspoon a few times per day or by sprinkling on other vegetables. You can also turn it into pills that you can swallow with a glass of water.
• Turmeric - Colon cancer herbs like Turmeric provide powerful anticancer compounds to the body. This colon cancer home remedy is best taken through a pill or in diluted water. Simply dissolve one teaspoon of Turmeric in an 8 ounce glass of water to enjoy its benefits.
• Garlic – Another one of the colon cancer alternative therapies that is easy to work into your diet is garlic. Garlic is known to reduce the effects that colon cancer has on the body. Simply eat 3-4 cloves of garlic 3 times per day, or take garlic in pill form.

Conclusion

Colorectal cancer may sound scary, but as long as it’s caught early, it is highly treatable. Since it is also highly impacted by lifestyle, including your diet, smoking, and drinking habits, you can work to reduce your risk by living healthy and incorporating natural remedies into your diet.

References

1. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/colorectalcancer.html
2. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/colorectal-cancer
3. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/symptoms-causes/dxc-20188239