Hello

I am so very sorry to read about what is happening to your Nan, under the circumstances I can understand you wanting to try anything to see whether it will help. From your post it sounds like your Nan is very poorly now and perhaps unable to eat and drink which is why you are wondering if there is a way of helping her take these alternative treatments. 

There are a number of issues to consider. Firstly she would need to be able to give her consent to have these treatments or it wouldn't be right to try and get her to take them, if she is very poorly she may not be able to give consent at the moment.  But also for the things you have listed, there is no real scientific evidence that they would be able to help in the situation she is in.  As a sceintific organisation we cannot recommend that people take unproven treatment and would always strongly suggest checking with her doctors before trying to give her anything that hadn't been prescribed.  Some alternative therapies might actually be harmful or interfere with the action of other medicines and pain killers she might be taking. 

Lastly, if she is having difficulty eating and drinking it is possible that if you attempted to assist her in taking anything by mouth she could choke on it or it could get into her lungs and give her further complications.  I know this is not what you want to read right now but I have to tell the truth as I understand it or I wouldn't be doing the right thing.

From your post I wasn't sure whether your nan and your family were getting support from a palliative care team who will be able to help make sure she remains as comfortable as possible and can provide support for you all.  We have some information about this here  

There will be things you all can do to give comfort to her and each other.  Just being with her and each other in this difficult time will help more than it may seem.  Do give our team of nurses a call if you want to talk this through on 0808 800 4040.

Take care

Martin