Leukemia is an extremely complex disease. Treatment depends on the type of leukemia, certain features of the leukemic cells, the extent of the disease, and whether the leukemia has been treated before.

Some of the drug therapies used to treat leukemia include the following:

  Radiation therapy— the use of high energy rays to kill cancer cells        and prevent them from growing

  Chemotherapy—the use of drugs to kill cancer cells Bone marrow

  Transplantation—a procedure in which cancerous bone marrow is        destroyed with high doses of anticancer drugs or radiation, and is        then replaced with healthy bone marrow

  Biological therapy—stimulates or restores ability of the body's        immune system to fight infection and disease; may also be used to        lessen side effects caused by other treatments

Eating the following nutrient-dense foods that are high in antioxidants may help protect against cancer: dark berries, orange and yellow vegetables, dark leafy greens, fresh vegetable juices containing wheatgrass, beets, romaine lettuce, parsley, and cucumber.Potentially beneficial nutrient supplements include those listed below:

  Vitamin A (25,000 IU a day), vitamin E (800 IU a day), vitamin C (3        to 6 g a day), and selenium (200 to 400 mcg a day) have        antioxidant activity and may decrease side effects of        chemotherapy and radiation

  Vitamin D (400 to 800 IU a day) may help promote differentiation of        cells

  B-complex (50 to 100 mg a day) with additional B12 (1,200 mcg a        day) and folic acid (800 mcg a day) for anemia

The use of certain herbal remedies may support the lymphatic system, spleen, bone marrow, and liver. Take a combination of the following herbs in equal parts, 30 to 60 drops three times a day:

  Red clover (Trifolium pratense)

  Blue flag (Iris versicolor)

  Yellowdock (Rumex crispus); for late-stage disease, substitute        greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) for yellowdock

  Poke root (Phytolacca americana)

  Tree of life (Thuja occidentalis)

  Cleavers (Galium aparine)

  Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) · Turmeric (Curcuma longa) (250         to 500 mg two to three times a day)

  Periwinkle (Vinca rosea) and autumn primrose (Colchicum         officinale)Note: these are potentially toxic herbs to consider for         use only under a supervising physician.

Herbs are generally available as dried extracts (pills, capsules, or tablets), teas, or tinctures (alcohol extraction, unless otherwise noted). Dose for teas is 1 heaping tsp./cup water steeped for 10 minutes (roots need 20 minutes).

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