Re: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct

[Guest guest]

Hi Craig,I wonder if Centella internally and externally would help as well as Aesculus (fantastic at reducing "leaking" blood vessels, not sure if it will help with the thoracic duct). Also Echinacea as a general wound healing agent. Personally I would not use Phytolacca, as it has an irritant action on the lymphatic system, but then it does get things moving!Hope it helps To:

ukherbal-list Sent: Tuesday, 6 March 2012, 14:15 Subject: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct

Dear HerbalistsI would really value any input anyone has for me on the following patient:55 y/o woman with history of thyroid & laryngeal nodules, recent total thyroidectomy and dissection of regional lymph nodes due to malignancy. Unfortunately they nicked her thoracic duct and she has had chyle leaking into her neck, initially she had drains in, but these were removed. She is on a ‘no-fat’ diet. She has just finished radioactive iodine Rx for malignancy. Some hairloss and joint pain subsequently. Otherwise quite well. She is currently left with a 20 by 6 cm chyle-filled lump on her neck which causes discomfort and constriction feelings. The duct is not healing (3 months). Recent FBC and iron studies NAD. Vit D 11.5ng/ml. Any suggestions?She is having homeopathic and nutritional treatment and I have tried:Internally and externally:CalendulaTrifoliumGalium Currently she is doing castor oil packs followed by Symphytum infused oil externally. These have only very slightly reduced the swelling. Any further suggestions? Phytolacca? I would like to promote healing of the thoracic duct and dispersion of the swelling.Any help appreciatedRegardsCraig

[Guest guest]

Yes, Centella was my first thought too.

Zoe

Medical Herbalist (MCPP Dip. Phyt.)

Buteyko Breathing Practitoner

Carlingcott Pharmaculture Orchard

" Wild Drugs " 'A Foragers Guide to Healing Plants' Gaia 2010

www.zoehawes.co.uk

[Guest guest]

I also think of Echinacea as the herb that works to heal long

standing wounds/ulcers when all others have failed. Perhaps its

lymphatic qualities would help here as well? Bartram quotes

in saying, "In all cases do not forget the value of Echinacea. I

rely on it to restore a poisoned system." I find it works well both

internally and externally.

Kind regards,

Kerry

 

 

Hi Craig,

I wonder if Centella internally and externally would

help as well as Aesculus (fantastic at reducing

"leaking" blood vessels, not sure if it will help with

the thoracic duct). Also Echinacea as a general wound

healing agent. Personally I would not use Phytolacca, as

it has an irritant action on the lymphatic system, but

then it does get things moving!

Hope it helps

From:

Dr Craig

To:

ukherbal-list

Sent:

Tuesday, 6 March 2012, 14:15

Subject:

Thyroid cancer / lymph node

dissection / thoracic duct

 

Dear

Herbalists

I would

really value any input anyone has for me on

the following patient:

55 y/o

woman with history of thyroid &

laryngeal nodules, recent total

thyroidectomy and dissection of regional

lymph nodes due to malignancy. Unfortunately

they nicked her thoracic duct and she has

had chyle leaking into her neck, initially

she had drains in, but these were removed.

She is on a ‘no-fat’ diet. She has just

finished radioactive iodine Rx for

malignancy. Some hairloss and joint pain

subsequently. Otherwise quite well.  She is

currently left with a 20 by 6 cm

chyle-filled lump on her neck which causes

discomfort and constriction feelings. The

duct is not healing (3 months). Recent FBC

and iron studies NAD. Vit D 11.5ng/ml.  Any

suggestions?

She is

having homeopathic and nutritional treatment

and I have tried:

Internally

and externally:

Calendula

Trifolium

Galium

 

Currently

she is doing castor oil packs followed by

Symphytum infused oil externally. These have

only very slightly reduced the swelling.

 

Any

further suggestions? Phytolacca? I would

like to promote healing of the thoracic duct

and dispersion of the swelling.

Any help

appreciated

Regards

Craig

 

 

 

-- Kerry Hackett, MNIMH, AHG, OHA

Medical Herbalist

www.kerryhackett.ca

[Guest guest]

Hi Craig I would suggest more astringency. My experience with comfrey oil is that it either doesn't work, or is far inferior to compresses using a strong infusion of dried leaf. Helen To: ukherbal-list Sent: Tuesday, 6 March 2012, 14:15 Subject: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct

Dear HerbalistsI would really value any input anyone has for me on the following patient:55 y/o woman with history of thyroid & laryngeal nodules, recent total thyroidectomy and dissection of regional lymph nodes due to malignancy. Unfortunately they nicked her thoracic duct and she has had chyle leaking into her neck, initially she had drains in, but these were removed. She is on a ‘no-fat’ diet. She has just finished radioactive iodine Rx for malignancy. Some hairloss and joint pain subsequently. Otherwise quite well. She is currently left with a 20 by 6 cm chyle-filled lump on her neck which causes discomfort and constriction feelings. The duct is not healing (3 months). Recent FBC and iron studies NAD. Vit D 11.5ng/ml. Any suggestions?She is having homeopathic and nutritional treatment and I have tried:Internally and externally:CalendulaTrifoliumGalium Currently she is doing castor oil packs followed by Symphytum infused oil externally. These have only very slightly reduced the swelling. Any further suggestions? Phytolacca? I would like to promote healing of the thoracic duct and dispersion of the swelling.Any help appreciatedRegardsCraig

[Guest guest]

Hi EveryoneThanks for the suggestions so far! Both Centella and Echinacea do 'feel' right for this patient. Helen (hi!), do you think I should drop the castor oil and get her to do symphytum compresses instead?CraigDr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hi Craig I would suggest more astringency. My experience with comfrey oil is that it either doesn't work, or is far inferior to compresses using a strong infusion of dried leaf. Helen To: ukherbal-list Sent: Tuesday, 6 March 2012, 14:15 Subject: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct Dear HerbalistsI would really value any input anyone has for me on the following patient:55 y/o woman with history of thyroid & laryngeal nodules, recent total thyroidectomy and dissection of regional lymph nodes due to malignancy. Unfortunately they nicked her thoracic duct and she has had chyle leaking into her neck, initially she had drains in, but these were removed. She is on a ‘no-fat’ diet. She has just finished radioactive iodine Rx for malignancy. Some hairloss and joint pain subsequently. Otherwise quite well. She is currently left with a 20 by 6 cm chyle-filled lump on her neck which causes discomfort and constriction feelings. The duct is not healing (3 months). Recent FBC and iron studies NAD. Vit D 11.5ng/ml. Any suggestions?She is having homeopathic and nutritional treatment and I have tried:Internally and externally:CalendulaTrifoliumGalium Currently she is doing castor oil packs followed by Symphytum infused oil externally. These have only very slightly reduced the swelling. Any further suggestions? Phytolacca? I would like to promote healing of the thoracic duct and dispersion of the swelling.Any help appreciatedRegardsCraig

[Guest guest]

Hi Craig! The castor oil would depend, I think, on whether the chyle 'cyst' is entire and static or whether it's constantly filling up. Castor oil for the former.Let us know how it all goes - it's an interesting case. If I ever need that sort of surgery I'm not coming to S.A to see that surgeon!! Helen To: "ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Sent: Wednesday, 7 March 2012, 7:30 Subject: Re: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct

Hi EveryoneThanks for the suggestions so far! Both Centella and Echinacea do 'feel' right for this patient. Helen (hi!), do you think I should drop the castor oil and get her to do symphytum compresses instead?CraigDr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338

Hi Craig I would suggest more astringency. My experience with comfrey oil is that it either doesn't work, or is far inferior to compresses using a strong infusion of dried leaf. Helen To: ukherbal-list Sent: Tuesday, 6 March 2012, 14:15 Subject: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct

Dear HerbalistsI would really value any input anyone has for me on the following patient:55 y/o woman with history of thyroid & laryngeal nodules, recent total thyroidectomy and dissection of regional lymph nodes due to malignancy. Unfortunately they nicked her thoracic duct and she has had chyle leaking into her neck, initially she had drains in, but these were removed. She is on a ‘no-fat’ diet. She has just finished radioactive iodine Rx for malignancy. Some hairloss and joint pain subsequently. Otherwise quite well. She is currently left with a 20 by 6 cm chyle-filled lump on her neck which causes discomfort and constriction feelings. The duct is not healing (3 months). Recent FBC and iron studies NAD. Vit D 11.5ng/ml. Any suggestions?She is having homeopathic and nutritional treatment and I have tried:Internally and externally:CalendulaTrifoliumGalium Currently she is doing castor oil packs followed by Symphytum infused oil externally. These have only very slightly reduced the swelling. Any further suggestions? Phytolacca? I would like to promote healing of the thoracic duct and dispersion of the swelling.Any help appreciatedRegardsCraig

[Guest guest]

I think that the leak is still there but now only to a minor degree. Some chyle was aspirated a few weeks ago but this did not diminish the swelling. So my feeling is it is somewhere inbetween. I'm going to give the compresses a try!Dr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hi Craig! The castor oil would depend, I think, on whether the chyle 'cyst' is entire and static or whether it's constantly filling up. Castor oil for the former.Let us know how it all goes - it's an interesting case. If I ever need that sort of surgery I'm not coming to S.A to see that surgeon!! Helen To: "ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Sent: Wednesday, 7 March 2012, 7:30 Subject: Re: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct Hi EveryoneThanks for the suggestions so far! Both Centella and Echinacea do 'feel' right for this patient. Helen (hi!), do you think I should drop the castor oil and get her to do symphytum compresses instead?CraigDr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hi Craig I would suggest more astringency. My experience with comfrey oil is that it either doesn't work, or is far inferior to compresses using a strong infusion of dried leaf. Helen To: ukherbal-list Sent: Tuesday, 6 March 2012, 14:15 Subject: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct Dear HerbalistsI would really value any input anyone has for me on the following patient:55 y/o woman with history of thyroid & laryngeal nodules, recent total thyroidectomy and dissection of regional lymph nodes due to malignancy. Unfortunately they nicked her thoracic duct and she has had chyle leaking into her neck, initially she had drains in, but these were removed. She is on a ‘no-fat’ diet. She has just finished radioactive iodine Rx for malignancy. Some hairloss and joint pain subsequently. Otherwise quite well. She is currently left with a 20 by 6 cm chyle-filled lump on her neck which causes discomfort and constriction feelings. The duct is not healing (3 months). Recent FBC and iron studies NAD. Vit D 11.5ng/ml. Any suggestions?She is having homeopathic and nutritional treatment and I have tried:Internally and externally:CalendulaTrifoliumGalium Currently she is doing castor oil packs followed by Symphytum infused oil externally. These have only very slightly reduced the swelling. Any further suggestions? Phytolacca? I would like to promote healing of the thoracic duct and dispersion of the swelling.Any help appreciatedRegardsCraig

[Guest guest]

Hello Craig,You said that you have tried calendula but I would consider continuing with it in strong tea form long term (I much prefer tea to tincture), regularly for all the usual reasons - post surgery healing, lymph restoration and drainage, reducing inflammation. I do find it needs to be strong though. I recommend a handful to a teapot, and one to two teapots per day.best wishes,Guy I think that the leak is still there but now only to a minor degree. Some chyle was aspirated a few weeks ago but this did not diminish the swelling. So my feeling is it is somewhere inbetween. I'm going to give the compresses a try!Dr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hi Craig! The castor oil would depend, I think, on whether the chyle 'cyst' is entire and static or whether it's constantly filling up. Castor oil for the former.Let us know how it all goes - it's an interesting case. If I ever need that sort of surgery I'm not coming to S.A to see that surgeon!! Helen To: "ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Sent: Wednesday, 7 March 2012, 7:30 Subject: Re: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct Hi EveryoneThanks for the suggestions so far! Both Centella and Echinacea do 'feel' right for this patient. Helen (hi!), do you think I should drop the castor oil and get her to do symphytum compresses instead?CraigDr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hi Craig I would suggest more astringency. My experience with comfrey oil is that it either doesn't work, or is far inferior to compresses using a strong infusion of dried leaf. Helen To: ukherbal-list Sent: Tuesday, 6 March 2012, 14:15 Subject: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct Dear HerbalistsI would really value any input anyone has for me on the following patient:55 y/o woman with history of thyroid & laryngeal nodules, recent total thyroidectomy and dissection of regional lymph nodes due to malignancy. Unfortunately they nicked her thoracic duct and she has had chyle leaking into her neck, initially she had drains in, but these were removed. She is on a ‘no-fat’ diet. She has just finished radioactive iodine Rx for malignancy. Some hairloss and joint pain subsequently. Otherwise quite well. She is currently left with a 20 by 6 cm chyle-filled lump on her neck which causes discomfort and constriction feelings. The duct is not healing (3 months). Recent FBC and iron studies NAD. Vit D 11.5ng/ml. Any suggestions?She is having homeopathic and nutritional treatment and I have tried:Internally and externally:CalendulaTrifoliumGalium Currently she is doing castor oil packs followed by Symphytum infused oil externally. These have only very slightly reduced the swelling. Any further suggestions? Phytolacca? I would like to promote healing of the thoracic duct and dispersion of the swelling.Any help appreciatedRegardsCraig

[Guest guest]

Hi GuyThanks, I will consider it. I did think of it immediately as a vulnerably with lymphatic affinities. Wood also considers it to have a specific affinity to the thoracic duct, but I have used it internally and externally in tincture as well as the initial main homeopathic medicine. I may try the tea!ThanksCDr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hello Craig,You said that you have tried calendula but I would consider continuing with it in strong tea form long term (I much prefer tea to tincture), regularly for all the usual reasons - post surgery healing, lymph restoration and drainage, reducing inflammation. I do find it needs to be strong though. I recommend a handful to a teapot, and one to two teapots per day.best wishes,Guy I think that the leak is still there but now only to a minor degree. Some chyle was aspirated a few weeks ago but this did not diminish the swelling. So my feeling is it is somewhere inbetween. I'm going to give the compresses a try!Dr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hi Craig! The castor oil would depend, I think, on whether the chyle 'cyst' is entire and static or whether it's constantly filling up. Castor oil for the former.Let us know how it all goes - it's an interesting case. If I ever need that sort of surgery I'm not coming to S.A to see that surgeon!! Helen To: "ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Sent: Wednesday, 7 March 2012, 7:30 Subject: Re: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct Hi EveryoneThanks for the suggestions so far! Both Centella and Echinacea do 'feel' right for this patient. Helen (hi!), do you think I should drop the castor oil and get her to do symphytum compresses instead?CraigDr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hi Craig I would suggest more astringency. My experience with comfrey oil is that it either doesn't work, or is far inferior to compresses using a strong infusion of dried leaf. Helen To: ukherbal-list Sent: Tuesday, 6 March 2012, 14:15 Subject: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct Dear HerbalistsI would really value any input anyone has for me on the following patient:55 y/o woman with history of thyroid & laryngeal nodules, recent total thyroidectomy and dissection of regional lymph nodes due to malignancy. Unfortunately they nicked her thoracic duct and she has had chyle leaking into her neck, initially she had drains in, but these were removed. She is on a ‘no-fat’ diet. She has just finished radioactive iodine Rx for malignancy. Some hairloss and joint pain subsequently. Otherwise quite well. She is currently left with a 20 by 6 cm chyle-filled lump on her neck which causes discomfort and constriction feelings. The duct is not healing (3 months). Recent FBC and iron studies NAD. Vit D 11.5ng/ml. Any suggestions?She is having homeopathic and nutritional treatment and I have tried:Internally and externally:CalendulaTrifoliumGalium Currently she is doing castor oil packs followed by Symphytum infused oil externally. These have only very slightly reduced the swelling. Any further suggestions? Phytolacca? I would like to promote healing of the thoracic duct and dispersion of the swelling.Any help appreciatedRegardsCraig

[Guest guest]

While agreeing with the previous postings, I probably would want to try Chanchal Cabrera's poke root salve - this brings down swellings like this very well. You grind up fresh poke root in castor oil until it has a milky consistency. This you apply to the swelling 1-2x a day. If there is skin sensitivity use olive oil on the skin first. I have used this with a number of clients post cancer surgery. J Fidler, MCPP, (RH) AHGHerbalist From: Craig

To: "ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Sent: Wednesday, March 7, 2012 4:45 AM Subject: Re: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct

Hi GuyThanks, I will consider it. I did think of it immediately as a vulnerably with lymphatic affinities. Wood also considers it to have a specific affinity to the thoracic duct, but I have used it internally and externally in tincture as well as the initial main homeopathic medicine. I may try the tea!ThanksCDr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338

Hello Craig,You said that you have tried calendula but I would consider continuing with it in strong tea form long term (I much prefer tea to tincture), regularly for all the usual reasons - post surgery healing, lymph restoration and drainage, reducing inflammation. I do find it needs to be strong though. I recommend a handful to a teapot, and one to two teapots per day.best wishes,Guy I think that the leak is still there but now only to a minor degree. Some chyle was aspirated a few weeks ago but this did not diminish the swelling. So my feeling is it is somewhere

inbetween. I'm going to give the compresses a try!Dr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hi Craig! The castor oil would depend, I think, on whether the chyle 'cyst' is entire and static or whether it's constantly filling up. Castor oil for the former.Let us know how it all goes - it's an

interesting case. If I ever need that sort of surgery I'm not coming to S.A to see that surgeon!! Helen To: "ukherbal-list " <ukherbal-list > Sent: Wednesday, 7 March 2012, 7:30 Subject: Re: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct Hi EveryoneThanks for the suggestions so far! Both Centella and Echinacea do 'feel' right for this patient. Helen (hi!), do you think I should drop the castor oil and get her to do symphytum compresses instead?CraigDr Craig Homeopath. Phytotherapist166 Lansdowne Road. Claremont. 7708+27 21 671 4338 Hi Craig I would suggest more astringency. My experience with comfrey oil is that it either doesn't work, or is far inferior to compresses using a strong infusion of dried leaf. Helen To: ukherbal-list Sent: Tuesday, 6 March 2012, 14:15 Subject: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct Dear HerbalistsI would really value any input anyone has for me on the following patient:55 y/o woman with history of

thyroid & laryngeal nodules, recent total thyroidectomy and dissection of regional lymph nodes due to malignancy. Unfortunately they nicked her thoracic duct and she has had chyle leaking into her neck, initially she had drains in, but these were removed. She is on a ‘no-fat’ diet. She has just finished radioactive iodine Rx for malignancy. Some hairloss and joint pain subsequently. Otherwise quite well. She is currently left with a 20 by 6 cm chyle-filled lump on her neck which causes discomfort and constriction feelings. The duct is not healing (3 months). Recent FBC and iron studies NAD. Vit D 11.5ng/ml. Any suggestions?She is having homeopathic and nutritional treatment and I have tried:Internally and externally:CalendulaTrifoliumGalium Currently she is doing castor oil packs followed by Symphytum infused oil externally. These have only very slightly reduced the swelling. Any further suggestions? Phytolacca? I would like to promote healing of the thoracic duct and dispersion of the swelling.Any help appreciatedRegardsCraig

[Guest guest]

Hi Thank you, that is good to know! Unfortunately will probably not be able to find fresh poke in Cape Town.Thanks for the input.Craig From: ukherbal-list [mailto:ukherbal-list ] On Behalf Of susan fidlerSent: 07 March 2012 16:22To: ukherbal-list Subject: Re: Thyroid cancer / lymph node dissection / thoracic duct While agreeing with the previous postings, I probably would want to try Chanchal Cabrera's poke root salve - this brings down swellings like this very well. You grind up fresh poke root in castor oil until it has a milky consistency. This you apply to the swelling 1-2x a day. If there is skin sensitivity use olive oil on the skin first. I have used this with a number of clients post cancer surgery. J Fidler, MCPP, (RH) AHGHerbalist