Laetrile (vitamin B17)

Domain XII · Complementary, energy & biofield · Ernst T. Krebs · 1845 · Russia

What it is

The substance and its names. Amygdalin is a plant compound of the cyanogenic glycoside group, found mainly in the seeds (kernels) of apricots, peaches and bitter almonds; when broken down by certain enzymes it releases cyanide. Three products are usually blurred together under one label:

Format

• The sequence below describes a typical course as the sources report it. Administration is described qualitatively only.
• Injection phase. Usually an initial course of intravenous (or intramuscular) laetrile given repeatedly at the clinic.

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• 1980: the actor Steve McQueen, who had mesothelioma, travelled to Rosarito Beach, Mexico, for a regimen devised by William D. Kelley, a dentist whose Texas licence had been suspended. The regimen included laetrile. McQueen died in November 1980 after surgery; before then, press conferences in Mexico had presented patients as cured and a Mexican physician claimed most patients improved.

Evidence status, as the guide reports it

• Consent. Patients were offered a "natural vitamin" with a scientific-sounding mechanism and told it was being suppressed; the chemical identity, cyanide release and absence of trial evidence were not part of that offer as the sources describe the marketing. Formal consent procedures at clinics are.

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Is there physical contact? Was it explained beforehand, and do you feel free to say no or stop at any point?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Does it involve intense or unusual breathing? Have you been told about the medical conditions for which that is not advised?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• symptoms dismissed as "detox" or "the cancer dying". Working: rapid medical contact.
• breaching confidentiality without a legal basis; consult supervision. Working: report made and documented.
• reassurance-seeking, checking. Working: less preoccupation and stopping risky "prevention" in discussion with their GP.
• rupture if you appear to side with "the system"; repair openly. Working: the client re-engages with at least one clinician.
• concealment, group or online-community pressure on parents. Working: the child is under medical care and the parent stays in contact with you.

Problems the guide addresses

• Routine, non-judgemental inquiry and recording
• Exploring meaning, hopes and the explanatory model
• Autonomy-respecting decision support
• Coordination with the oncology, palliative and primary-care team
• Recognising and responding to acute risk
• Children, pregnancy and safeguarding
• Grief, regret and guilt after choosing alternatives
• Family conflict
• Financial harm
• Distrust of medicine and repairing trust

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.