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| If I believe that melatonin supplementation may be beneficial as a sleep aid, an immune enhancer, and a possible cancer inhibitor, I start the patient with a low dosage (1 mg before bed, sublingually). Sublingual melatonin is absorbed by the body more efficiently. If this does not help bring on sleep, the dose may be slowly increased to 5 mg (or Occasionally as high as 10 mg). If the sleep patterns do no improve, the melatonin should be discontinued. I do not recommend melatonin as a supplement unless there is a sleep problem. Those who do take melatonin should take it before bed at night, never during the day. |
| Other Natural Approaches to Insomnia |
| Many people with cancer. suffer from anxiety and insomnia. I believe this must be addressed in as natural a way as possible. This is an important aspect to healing that is very often overlooked. I recommend developing a sleeping pattern that is in harmony With an individual's circadian rhythm. Besides trying melatonin, I recommend not sleeping during the day and getting some natural sun exposure. Taking a hot Epsom salt bath with lavender or another relaxing essential oil can do wonders to help one sleep, as can soft music or natural sounds like a running creek or the sound of the ocean. |
| Many herbs and other supplements can also be used, such as kava kava, passionflower, chamomile, skullcap, pulsatilla, St. John's wort, or oats, to name just a few. I sometimes suggest a single herb for sleep and at other times a compound based on the individual's needs. Depending on the herbs used and the individual situation, the dosage can vary from 5 drops to I teaspoon (about 120 drops) two to six times daily. Sometimes adding an herbal extract or compound to a cup of hot tea (perhaps a relaxing tea like chamomile) or water can help induce a restful and deep sleep. See a qualified herbalist for specific herbs or compounds for your situation. |
| DMSO |
| Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a by-product from wood processing, has been used for many years as an external treatment for inflammation and pain. |
| DMSO has been shown to: |
| Be a scavenger of hydroxal radicals |
| Stimulate the immune system, specifically interferon |
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