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For the last several days, I have been writing about many different, natural ways to help protect our bodies from radiation damage as well as natural treatments for radiation exposure. You can read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4 if you haven’t already.
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It turns out that all of these protocols are common-sense, proactive things that we should all consider doing to support healthy immune functioning, cell regeneration and gentle detoxification on a regular basis.
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There is one more protocol I would like to add to the list:
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Radioprotective Herbs
These are herbs and medicinal foods that are either rich sources of chlorophyll and minerals, support detoxification and elimination, support the thyroid gland or neutralize free radicals.
Gingko Biloba – while this herb has a history of being radioprotective, it is not appropriate for everyone as it has the ability to thin the blood.
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Nettles & Alfalfa – nettles has the highest concentration of land plant chlorophyll and is an excellent source of selenium; alfalfa is a very good source of chlorophyll also – and both these herbs are rich in a broad number of minerals.
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Pine Bark Extract, Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract – increase expression of your glutathione system, which results in both metal detoxification and free radical neutralization.
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Triphala – studies have found that radiation induced mortality was reduced by 60% in mice fed with triphala.
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Tumeric – contains curcumin which is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and may help protect against radiation-induced damage to the skin.
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Ashwaganda – supports the thyroid and adrenal glands.
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Ginseng – can decrease side effects of radiation exposure as well as helping the body to adapt to stress to aid in recovery.
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Siberian Ginseng – can help protect against the side effects of radiation exposure and contains selenium.
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Reishi – boosts the immune system after radiation exposure
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Astragalus – supports thyroid functioning.
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Asparagus – another great source of glutathione, known to assist in the reduction of heavy metals and other toxins from the body, including radiation.
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Selenium containing foods – like Brazil Nuts, Sunflower Seeds, Fish (such as Halibut and Salmon) , Eggs, Mushrooms (button, crimini, shiitake), Grains (wheat germ, barley, brown rice, oats) and Onions help protect DNA from radiation damage.
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Sulphur containing foods – such as Fish, Eggs, Beans and Peas, Brussels Sprouts, Onions, Cabbage, Garlic, Wheat Germ have been found to protect the body against radiation.
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Professional Herbalist, Brigette Mars, has also drawn up a list of radioprotective herbs, some of which are featured here:
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“Aloe vera gel (Aloe vera) has been found to help heal radiation burns more quickly by its content of biogenic stimulators that encourage skin repair.
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Burdock root (Arctium lappa) helps to neutralize and remove toxins from the body. During the Industrial Revolution, burdock was recommended as medicine to help people cope with the increased pollution.
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Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) improves the function of our body’s organs elimination process. Consider how this plant has done a good job for itself adapting to environmental pollutants.
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Eleuthero herb (Eleutherococcus senticosus) can help alleviate fatigue, ameliorate symptoms from chemical and radiation exposure and lessen the effects of stress.
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Green and black tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) are antioxidant, immune stimulant, and contain radioprotective agents.
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Milk thistle seed (Silybum marianum) helps protect the body from chemical exposure, environmental illness and liver damage.
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Peppermint leaf (Mentha piperita) can reduce nausea from radiation exposure.
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Red clover blossom (Trifolium pratense) improves health in general, helping all the organs of elimination function more optimally.
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Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) improves the function of the kidneys, liver, lymphatic system, intestines and skin thus aiding the body’s natural cleansing process.”
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High pectin foods – like carrots, sunflower seeds and apples have been shown to help keep pollutants from being assimilated. According to Sayer Ji of GreenMedInfo.com:
“Whereas most of the focus has been on Radioiodine 131 which poses an immediate health risk for 16 days, Cesium 137 remains radiotoxic for 60 years and accumulates at the top of the food chain where we (humans) find ourselves precariously perched. Apple pectin was shown after Chernobyl to accelerate clearance of Cesium 137 from the bodies of children, and should be considered for humanitarian aid to the Japanese.”
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I hope this series has been helpful for those wanting natural, proactive and common-sense alternatives to the current crisis. However, I also hope that many of you will also be inspired to incorporate some of these health protocols into your daily, or weekly, routine to improve your general health and wellbeing, as well as to protect your body from the common everyday sources of radiation in our environment.
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Please post a comment mentioning the ideas you found most useful and which ones you will most likely utilize yourself and within your family.