Essiac is a herbal mixture usually administered as tea. It is promoted mostly via the internet as an alternative cancer cure.

The Simonton Method focuses on interactions between the mind and the body and how the mind can affect health, the course of disease, and  overall wellbeing. The Simonton Method of counselling for cancer patients is based on a combination of mind-body modalities: cognitive-behavioural (based on belief work: approach of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy), relaxation exercises, guided imagery and mindfulness-based meditation practice. According to its advocates, the Simonton Method is aimed at prolonging survival time and improving quality of life of cancer patients.

The Gerson Therapy™ uses a special plant-based diet, supplements and also coffee enemas to detoxify and stimulate the body’s metabolism. Proponents of the Gerson Therapy™ have made claims that it is an effective treatment for cancer and other illnesses, through balancing the levels of potassium and sodium in the body, removal of toxins and regeneration of liver function as well as improving overall nutritional status.

Spirulina refers to various species of blue-green algae found naturally in lakes and grown commercially. It is used as a food colouring and is taken orally as a nutritional supplement in tablet, capsule or dried powder form. It is claimed to have immune-stimulating effects and to be beneficial in a wide range of diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, viral infections and cancer.

Colostrum is the milk secreted by mammals within the first few days after giving birth. Colostrum preparations used in CAM most often stem from cows and are marketed as powder or capsules for oral intake as dietary products. Colostrum contains high concentrations of immunoglobulins (particularly IgG), cytokines, growth factors, lactoferrin and other proteins, which play an important role for passive immunity of the offspring and act as immunomodulators. Intake of bovine colostrum products are claimed to modulate the human immune system, alleviate inflammatory diseases and their symptoms and act against cancer cells in humans.

Vitamin C, also known as L-ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Through intravenous high-dose application of vitamin C, plasma concentrations of up to 25mM can be achieved. At these concentrations, high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC) promotes the formation of free radicals and has a pro-oxidant effect. These concentrations cannot be reached with oral intake due to the tightly regulated bioavailability of vitamin C.

Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s wort) is a perennial flowering plant, preparations of which are popular as an anti-depressant and are also being promoted as an alternative cancer therapy. Even though some preliminary pre-clinical investigations have generated encouraging findings, very little clinical evidence related to St. John’s wort in cancer has so far emerged.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on the similia (‘treating like with like’) principle. It usually entails taking highly diluted remedies by mouth. Homeopaths aim to treat the individual patient holistically such that the body is stimulated to heal itself. Homeopathy is thus advocated for all human conditions; in oncology, this is mostly for palliative and supportive care. A systematic review of eight controlled clinical trials of homeopathy for the prevention or treatment of adverse effects of cancer treatments concluded that the evidence is not convincing. Results from seven more recent trials and a systematic review including 18 trials fail to demonstrate that homeopathy is an effective therapy for cancer.