Birch Ash Therapy - Any Insights Or Advice?

[Mosaic]

A good friend has been diagnosed with cancer and will shortly start chemo. Meanwhile, they've come across Birch Ash as a complementary treatment, and I wondered if anyone on AB had any thoughts as to its use. Similarly, if anyone would be kind enough to pass on info about complementary supplements that are useful, if not tried and tested, we'd all be grateful.
These are not being viewed in any way as a replacement for conventional medical treatment, simply as perhaps a cheering bit of a vitamin supplement that might give someone a lift, psychologically if not physically, when they're in this difficult position.

[Sqad]

I know of no reputable studies that have shown any advantages or curative effects of Birch Ash except in Prostate Cancer in which studies are still ongoing. It has been tested in mice, but only in prostate cancer and hasn't been tested at all in humans.

That is my sum total on the subject, I am afraid.

[Wak]

Very sorry to hear about your good friend's problems.
First, I have never heard of the Birch Ash Therapy but I'm sure that someone, somewhere, must believe in it, and secondly, I feel that I am really offering myself to plenty of ridicule and mockery by offering any kind of solution or treatment for the eternal cancer problem.
However, having said that, if the following sites can offer your friend any kind of solace or comfort, then I'll gladly put up with a few snotty remarks or name calling by those who supposedly know better.

1. http://www.cancerfungus.com/en/
2. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/10/ketogenic-diet.aspx?e_cid=20130310_SNL_Art_1&utm_source=snl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130310

Both articles claim that cancer is a fungus. Article 1. states that it was killed (like all fungi) by bi-carbonate of soda whilst Article 2. states that the cancer fungi only feeds on pure sugar and can be starved to death.

In support of Article 2. I passed this on to my granddaughter's friend who gave up granulated and similar sugars and started the ketogenic diet for some weeks.
At a later check up on his cancer, it was found that it was shrinking and he was told by the nurse that his type of cancer have not been previously known to shrink.

I offer the above sites in the hope that your friend may find some interest, comfort and, possibly, hope for the future in the contents but that is as far as my offer can possibly go.
It would appear that the drug companies cannot make a profit with bi-carbonate of soda or out of sugar-free diets so they are not interested.
However, wasn't Aspirin (or similar) found by chewing a piece of tree bark???

[woofgang]

Well you know your friend best but i wouldn't do it. I have worked with many people with cancer and also dealt with it twice in my family. The pain when the "alternative" doesn't work is all but unbearable.
additionally I would not support the charlatans' trade by buying any supplement, food, book or any other item that purports to cure cancer or put it in remission.
Spend time with your friend, ensure that he/she enjoys every moment as much as possible. If he/she wants to try an alternative then support them by all means, that's their choice but IMO I wouldn't encourage it.
Sorry, it makes me so mad when I see that this that or the other "cures cancer but big business try and squash it because there is no money in it for them."
Certainly IMO, there is no harm and probably some good in ensuring that the diet and lifestyle is as healthy as possible but not at the expense of enjoyment.

[Mosaic]

Many thanks for taking the time, folks. My friend is an intelligent and pragmatic person and under no illusions as to what is to be faced. In talking to many people, the birch ash thing was mentioned. I will share the other links as well. It's viewed as peripherally interesting, and maybe as effective as lighting a candle and saying three hail mary's, but then again you never know.

[Sqad]

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/sodium-bicarbonate

There is no scientific evidence that sodium bicarbonate has anything to do with the regression or curative effect of any cancer.

\\\then I'll gladly put up with a few snotty remarks or name calling by those who supposedly know better. \\\

I hope my post is submitted without "name calling or snotty" remarks which clearly are not needed in this serious subject of malignancy.

However, I would like to add that in my opinion it is misguided to give people, suffering from malignant disease, unrealistic expectations for a satisfactory cure, with no scientific basis.

[Hypognosis]

In countries which lack a NHS, alternative therapies thrive, thanks to the expense of the medical bills which go with proper hospital treatment. Some are trying to save money and are relictant to pay a GP's consultation fee more than two or three times a year so, for minor ailments, they will go asking their circle of friends (I've even seen this on FB) for homespun remedies. The problem comes when they extend this attitude to illnesses as serious as cancer.

Forgive the snideness. It's because some of is think that all these purveyors of alternative treatments take the view that, if the person's going to die prematurely, might as well get some of their money before they go. No risk of claims for a refund, if it doesn't work, eh?

[woofgang]

What Sqad and hypgnosis said. I would like to take all the people who sell fake cures for cancer and set fire to them. Evil *** the lot of them.

[Mosaic]

Thanks for the link Sqad - very interesting article and I will share it with friend. It looks to me like birch ash is in the zone of 'cancer can be cured with alkali solutions', which it patently can't.
I had grave doubts when the first website I came across when googling also offered 'spiritually charged quartz crystals' on the same page.
But again, just to emphasise, friend is old-school and will be follow medical advice to the letter, but in a discussion with a contact complementary therapies came up of which this was one not heard of before.
Sounds like you might as well paint the garden gate as swallow this stuff.

[woofgang]

mosaic, better to paint the garden gate, you'd be out in the fresh air getting healthy exercise!

[woofgang]

the word that got beeped in my previous post was the one used to describe the children of unmarried parents. On second thought I withdraw it. Children of unmarried people can be perfectly nice and honest.

[scorpiojo]

Lol

[Wak]

Sqad, I assure you that your remarks were received in good faith but I have had adverse comment in the past from others which is why I mentioned it.
Mosaic asked for any info on supplements, etc which could possibly provide interest or comfort for her friend so I offered two web sites for them to deal with however they wished, and that is all I sent them.
My granddaughter's friend tried the ketogenic diet and his situation improved. Whether this was because of the diet or not, I wouldn't know. Maybe he was just lucky but I thought it was interesting enough to pass on.
I sincerely hope Mosaic's friend finds some comfort from wherever they can.