Can they help relieve side-effects of cancer therapy?
Drugs and radiotherapy given for cancer can cause unpleasant side effects such as nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, dermatitis, and menopausal symptoms. Around a third of patients with cancer use complementary therapies, including homeopathic medicines, to try to reduce these side effects. In a systematic review of randomised controlled trials, Cochrane Researchers examined recent evidence for the safety and effectiveness of homeopathic medicines used in this way. The review included eight studies involving a total of 664 participants. One study with 256 participants found that skin irritation caused by radiotherapy was less in patients using calendula ointment compared with those using the topical agent trolamine. In another study of 32 participants, those who took Traumeel S (a combination of 14 homeopathic medicines) had more relief from mouth sores caused by chemotherapy than those who took placebo. Two small studies on adverse effects of radiotherapy were positive but may have bee
