Submitted by: Phil Rasmussen, M.Pharm., M.P.S., Dip. Herb. Med.; M.N.I.M.H.(UK), F.N.Z.A.M.H.
Client: 71-year-old male
Initial presentation: Prostate cancer (adenocarcinoma) diagnosed recently, following a biopsy. PSA 22ng/ml.
Booked in for a bone scan. Told options are prostatectomy or brachytherapy (radioactive pellets), but not keen on either.
Otherwise reasonably well; always been fit, a keen gardener, and no significant health issues apart from relatively poor lung function and SOBOE (was a fire officer for many years), and some heartburn the previous 6-12 months. Uses Gaviscon occasionally.
Relatively asymptomatic; still good urine flow and no nocturia.
Diet reasonably good with fish, salads, fair amount of vegetables and red meat 3 times per week.
Herbal formula
Echinacea purpurea 1:2 30mL
Scutellaria baicalensis 1:2 25mL
Withania somnifera 1:1 25mL
Punica granatum 1:2 20mL
Dosage: 8mL twice daily
Follow up:
5 weeks: Taken herbs regularly. Feeling good. Due for a bone scan in another 10 days; will have a further PSA test beforehand.
Herbal formula (300mL) repeated.
8 weeks: Bone scan normal. PSA 20ng/ml. Brachytherapy recommended, but he has decided not to pursue.
Herbal Formula (500mL)
Echinacea purpurea 1:2 30mL
Scutellaria baicalensis 1:2 25mL
Punica granatum 1:2 35mL
Rosmarinus officinalis 1:2 10mL
Dosage: 10mL twice daily
Also recommended he consumed fresh nasturtium leaves and/or flowers daily, in either a salad or herbal infusion form, which he willingly began to pursue. He has continued to take this mixture regularly for 6 months, with no change in symptoms, and a recent PSA reading of 24ng/ml.