ozzy

Hi all,

I've recently started a course of chemotherapy, and was told by a
reputable alternative practicioner/MD that the ideal tea consumption is
zero throughout the course, and for a few weeks after -- because the
antioxidants for which *T. sinensis* is famous hamper the effectiveness
of the chemo agents.

So I'm looking for input as to an acceptable herbal mixture to try that
has no antioxidants. Some caffiene would be a plus (yerba mate hax been
nixed as having antioxidants galore), and if it could taste like any sort
of real tea, that would be ideal - I don't want to go back to coffee for
necessary caffiene.

Is there anything remotely like that? I figure that this is the place to
ask if anywhere is. Thanks.

Ozzy

toci

I wouldn't even try. Many of the tisanes are also full of
antioxidants. So are coffee and cocoa. Get caffiene tablets from the
drug store and take just enough so you don't get headaches. Drink a
lot of water. Toci

dominic t

Hey Oz,

First off let me wish you well with your treatment, that is the most
important... but I know it would be hard to have to give up tea (even
temporarily). Let me also say that I am not a chemist, doctor, lawyer,
or candlestick maker so I would reccomend that you pass any of my
suggestions by a doctor (or candlestick maker if you can find one)
first.

I think Adagio is going to be a good bet for what you want.
http://www.adagio.com/ They have fair prices, samples, and good
shipping.

My fiance just bought some of their Sangria fruit tea and she liked it
a lot, although I don't see it on their website. They have a great
selection of fruit based teas, herbal teas, and Rooibos. I like
Lemongrass, Ginger, Chamomile, and Licorice. I have also made tea from
dried Hawthorn berries (I love Haw Flakes). Rooibos may be the real
winner though, as Adagio offers it in numerous flavors and types and it
may be OK. I tend to like these straight and not blended with other
herbs, so make sure you read the labels in stores or the descriptions
online... I bought some Chamomile that has cherry blossoms, slippery
elm bark, licorice, lemon zest and some other crap in it thinking it
was plain Chamomile and was none too happy.

Please read up though as I am not sure if Lemongrass or Rooibos contain
Antioxidents, if not I think you will have some great alternatives. In
fact this post has me with a cart filled with different samples from
Adagio right now of their herbal, fruit, and rooibos... all things I
normally don't even think of.

Best of luck!
- Dominic

shen

Hi, Ozzy,
Believe it or not, Celestial Seasons makes one you might use
effectively and enjoy. My husband drinks it when he's real "tea'd out".
It's called "Caffeine Free Tea" .
Ingredients: Blackberry leaves, roasted chicory root, hawthorn berries,
beet root, natural tea flavor, and hibiscus flowers. Unfortunately, it
doesn't contain caffeine; but, it really resembles a restaurant cuppa.
Good luck!
Shen

shen

On second thought, (re Dominic, as well): you may want to check with
your practitioner before using hawthorne berries. During chemo, you
want to watch your blood density and hawthorne affects blood pressure
and density (I am a retired alt practitioner).
I do belive, though, there is not too much in the CS mix.
Take care.
Shen

toci

Other things that are extremely high in antioxidants are any berries,
and rooibos. I'd check any tisane or infusion through with your
doctor. Report back to us on what he says? Toci

ozzy

Hi Shen,

Might run that mix past him and see what he says -- though as far as the the
"Natural Tea Flavor", I should think that the anti-oxidants play a certain
part in tea's characteristic taste.

And isn't Beet Root a source of sugar? (Another theory he embraces is that
metastisc disease is aggravated by carbohydrates, the less complex the
worse. Also certain growth factors are indicated in cancer return, like
vitamin B1 supplementation, the growth hormones they feed to American cattle
& chickens on factory farms, etc.)

But the prospect of drinking as much as I need of something that tastes like
tea is a powerful inducment to action . Thanks.

Ozzy

ozzy

I wish to thank you all for your good wishes, so valuable as all such are.

My maximum hopes were to find another would-be tea gourmet (and certain tea
gourmand ) who had gone through chemo, and could have advised me from the
invaluable perspective of someone who'd been there.

Although I know the fact is hotly contested, I still think that the members
of this NG would be on the whole a little less likely to have gone through
something like this, because heavy tea-drinking *is* prophylactic against
certain types of cancer.

Health to all,
Ozzy

BTW, it's probably going to be a matter of years at least, so the luck is
already beginning. :-)

space cowboy

Hey, good luck in your chemo. I don't know but I remember seeing some
links that black puer is good for cancer treatment. Maybe Mike has
some links on his site. I guess I would do some research that all teas
across the board are bad for chemo. A weak cup of tea still taste
good.

Jim

kludge@panixcom scott

Look for "Greek Mountain Tea" at a Greek deli. Krinos sells the stuff.
It's a little bit minty but it has a grassy sort of green-tea like flavour.
It's not tea, but it's a nice drink.
--scott


--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."