Chamomile, Melatonin, and Probiotics If you have trouble viewing this email, view it online. connect with us     An aromatic annual herb, chamomile is widespread in Europe, North Africa, and Northwest Asia. It is used in traditional medicine to treat muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, wounds, stomach disorders, rheumatic pain, hay fever, and hemorrhoids. Tea brewed from the dried flower heads of chamomile has gained worldwide popularity for its calming effects and as a sleep aid. Chamomile also contains essential oils that are used in cosmetics and aromatherapy. Studies done in the laboratory and in animal models show that chamomile extracts have anti‑inflammatory, anxiolytic, and anticancer effects. Clinical findings suggest modest benefit with chamomile for improving chronic insomnia and generalized anxiety disorder. A chamomile compress was found to be more effective than hydrocortisone ointment in treating peristomal skin lesions in patients following colostomy; and a chamomile oleogel reduced pain in patients who had migraine without aura. Data on chamomile’s effectiveness against chemotherapy‑induced mucositis are inconclusive. Further research is needed. Learn More     Personalize Your Updates Manage your preferences, and we will customize your updates based on your interests.   Go to my preferences   Essential Updates Melatonin: Data from a randomized trial suggest that melatonin may help minimize radiotherapy-induced reduction in blood cell counts. Learn more Probiotics: Fecal microbiota transplantation has been reported to reestablish gut microbiota in patients following antibiotic treatment during allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Learn more   Integrative Medicine Therapies Meditative Moments for the Holidays With the holiday season upon us, people with cancer and their loved ones may be looking for tools to help them enjoy these festive months, while acknowledging additional stresses that accompany this time of year. Mind‑body practices like meditation, visualization, and music therapy can help people prepare for upcoming scans or procedures, manage challenging emotions, or simply get a better night’s sleep. The MSK Integrative Medicine Service’s Meditation Station is a free, online library available from a computer, tablet, or smartphone. For beginners and experienced meditators alike, the Meditation Station offers a wide range of practices, including mindful movement, breathing exercises, music therapy, and guided imagery. Come and breathe online with us! The Integrative Medicine Service offers a variety of therapies, classes, and workshops for patients and survivors to help manage symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments, and to improve physical and psychological well‑being.       Take Note Of: MICOM MICOM is an alternative treatment that is promoted to prevent and treat cancer and other degenerative diseases. Believed to simulate natural spring mineral water, it is prepared with igneous rock, iron pyrite, weak acids and bases. Promoters claim that a high‑oxygen environment is lethal to cancer cells, and that the minerals in MICOM have the ability to tag cancer cells for recognition and elimination by the immune system. There is no scientific evidence to support such claims. Intravenous preparations of MICOM were found contaminated with bacteria, leading to the death of a cancer patient. Unproven agents such as MICOM should not be used in lieu of conventional anticancer treatments. Learn More   Share with a Friend Click the link below to share this email with others who might be interested. Invite friends Contact Us We welcome your feedback, and encourage you to send us a message at: aboutherbs@mskcc.org To Make An Appointment: Integrative Medicine Service: 646-888-0800 MSKCC Main Hospital: 800-525-2225 Find an MSK location   ©2019 Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10065 US December 2019   To ensure you continue to receive emails from About Herbs, add us to your address book or safe list. To unsubscribe, click here. This message was sent to newsletter@newslettercollector.com. To manage your preferences, click here. You are receiving this email because you subscribed to e-newsletters from About Herbs. To forward this email click here.