Gerson Therapy Health Article

Precautions

The Gerson therapy is a powerful tool for detoxification, and can produce healing crises. Most patients suffer from nausea and fevers when the initial flush of toxins is released into the bloodstream. Enemas are designed to help with this, and peppermint tea is also recommended. In the case of seriously ill patients, it is advisable to have an understanding practitioner on hand to help with this difficult process. Some of the methods used in Gerson therapy have produced bad outcomes. Coffee enemas have been known to cause deaths and patients undergoing Gerson therapy have been admitted to the hospital with bacterial infections most likely caused by ingesting raw calf's liver.

Side effects

Patients are warned that after detoxification by the Gerson therapy, the body becomes hypersensitive to drugs, particularly anesthetic. Dentists should be advised of this, and no drugs should be taken without the advice of a physician.

Research & general acceptance

In 1946 Gerson's therapy was out-voted in congress by four votes in favor of surgery, radiation, and chemicals. This situation remains today, despite increased popularity of alternative and complementary medicine. In 1990, two agencies reviewing patient records could find no evidence that the method was effective in treating cancer. However, many alternative practitioners have shown that detoxification can improve the effectiveness of healing techniques.

Training & certification

The Gerson Institute maintains a list of practitioners specializing in the Gerson method.

BOOKS

Gerson, Max. A Cancer Therapy, Results of Fifty Cases. Bonita, CA: Gerson Inst., 1958.

PERIODICALS

"Gerson Method." Cancer (July-August 1990): 252-255.

Hunter, Beatric Trum. "Improving the Quality of One's Life (Book Corners)." Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients (July 2002): 131.

ORGANIZATIONS

The Gerson Institute. P.O. Box 430, Bonita, CA 92002. (619) 585-7600. Fax: (619) 585-7610. http://www.gerson.org.

Patricia Skinner

Teresa G. Odle