Anticancer agents from medicinal plants

There can be little doubt that herbs are very potent and powerful. Although, as yet, research is limited on herbs, it is growing and many are shown to have powerful anti-cancer properties without the damaging side-effects of drugs. Here are twenty herbs that just might help your fight against cancer. You will be pleased to know, even after May 1st 2011, you can still have them prescribed and made for you by experts working with CANCER active. This article was prepared with help from two of the UK´s top herbalists, Alan Hopking and David Broom.

ASTRAGALUS (Huang Qi)

A Chinese herb; an immune system booster, known to stimulate body´s natural production of interferon. It also helps the immune system identify rogue cells. Work with the herb in both cancer and AIDS cases has been encouraging. The MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Texas conducted research showing that taking Astragalus when having Radiotherapy doubled survival times.

BERBERIS FAMILY (e.g. Podophyllum peltanum)

Slow active purgative. Research has shown these herbs to have a strong action against cancer and they have been used with many cancers, especially Ovarian cancer. In Cancer Watch March 2015, an ingredient Berberine, was shown in research to outperform brain cancer drug, Temozolomide in vitro. It was also shown to act synergistically with it and improve its efficacy.

BLOODROOTS (Sanguinaria canadensis)

Research shows consistent anti-neoplastic activity. It has been shown to be effective against cancer tumors, and can shrink them; it is one of the herbs in an anti-cancer poultice called Black Salve against breast and skin cancers; and has proven useful with sarcomas.

BUTCHERS BROOM (Ruscus aculeatus)

The active ingredients of this herb have been found to be the ruscogenins which have tumor-shrinking and anti-oestrogenic abilities. Thus, its use in the treatment of breast cancer.

CAT´S CLAW (Uncaria tormentors)

An adaptogen and powerful immuno-stimulant, it enhances the white cells cleanup process (phagocytosis). It is an excellent companion to astragalus, curcumin and echinacea. Research indicates it can reduce tumor size, particularly with skin cancers. It also helps reduce the side-effects of chemo and radiotherapy.

CHAPARRAL (Larea Mexicana)

Cancer Watch covered a major research study from the US which heaped praise on this herb. It appears to boost the immune system, stop metastases and reduce tumor size. Seems especially interesting with breast cancer and is another ingredient in Black Salve. It is also an anti-oxidant and anti-microbial, with low toxicity.

CURCUMIN (Turmeric)

This spice (Curcuma longa or Turmeric root) has been shown to have significant anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activity. That alone seems enough for certain hospitals in America to consider using it in the treatment of polyps and colon cancer. However new research shows that it can both shrink cancer tumors and inhibit blood supply growth to tumors. It is a powerful antioxidant with liver protective benefits, and outperformed several anti-inflammatory drugs without side-effects in research.

DANG SHEN ROOTS (Codonopsis pilosula)

Increases both the white blood cell and red blood cell levels, so can be extremely helpful to patients having chemotherapy and radiotherapy, or to patients whose cancer diminishes levels of either.

ECHINACEA

Another known immune system booster, it gained a populist reputation in treating colds.  There is research on its helpfulness with brain tumors apart from its abilities to increase the levels of certain immune white cells in the body.

FEVERFEW

This herb caused a storm when research from Rochester University in New York showed it to be more effective than the drug cytarabine in killing leukemia cells. The US Food and Drug Agency put the active ingredient, parthenopid, on to its fast track programme. Nothing has yet been heard. But then, the FDA has never approved a herb for use as a cancer treatment.

GOLDENSEAL

One cause of stomach cancer can be the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. This burrows into the mucous lining of the stomach to hide from gastric acids, and then causes irritation, acid reflux, ulcers and even cancer. Goldenseal is generally anti-microbial and is used in the Caribbean and South-East Asia against parasites. Goldenseal, helped by the mineral Bismuth, will kill Helicobacter pylori. Vets seem to know this, even if doctors don´t. Berberine can be found in Goldenseal.

MILK THISTLES

Known for years to be helpful in strengthening the liver, this herb has now been shown to be capable of protecting the liver during chemotherapy. Research in America showed that leukemia patients who took milk thistle had reduced liver toxicity and chemo side-effects. There is a little evidence that it has its own anti-cancer activity too.

PAU D´ARCO

This tree bark was original thought to be a strong anti-cancer agent, but then its actions were clarified as strongly anti-bacterial, anti-yeast and anti-microbial. That alone might be enough in some cases of cancer cause. But new research on the differing ingredients has shown the quinoids possess immune strengthening abilities and seem to help in cases of blood and lymph cancers.

RED CLOVER

Research from a number of cancer centers including the Royal Marsden has shown its potential as a part of a treatment programme against estrogen-driven cancers, from breast to prostate. One active ingredient in the so-called Herb of Hippocrates is the anti-estrogen Genistein, which Professor Powles formerly of the Royal Marsden dubbed ´the anti-estrogen´.

SHEEP´S SORRELL

Used in Essiac and other herbal remedies, it is a cleanser and aids healthy tissue regeneration. There is some suggestion from research that it helps normalize damaged cells and tissue. It is also a highly praised ´vermifuge´ - intestinal worms have little or no resistance to this herb.

SKULLCAPS (Scutellaria barbata)

Research has shown action against many cancer types, for example against cancers of the lung, stomach and intestines.

SUTHERLANDIA (Cancer Bush)

Peer reviewed research studies indicate that this herb is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-fungal. It boosts the immune system and inhibits Tumor Necrosis Factor, known to drive wasting in cancer patients.

THOROWAX, or HARES EAR (Bupleurum scorzoneraefolium)

Research has shown its ability to enhance the production of natural interferon and it seems especially useful in bone cancer.

WHEATGRASS

One of the top private hospitals in South East Asia extols the benefits of freshly juiced wheatgrass. One shot gives you the chlorophyll of some 12 or more kilograms of broccoli. It acts as a blood purifier, and liver and kidney cleansing agent. In research, after two weeks of daily use, blood and tissue oxygen levels improve, as does circulation.

SWEET WORMWOOD

Another Chinese Herb, this has outperformed certain anti-malaria drugs and is now used by the aid agencies. It is strongly anti-microbial and anti-yeast and can be used as an effective part of an anti-candida diet. Also certain cancer treatments cause excesses of yeasts to form (for example, in Leukemia treatment) threatening the patients’ health further. Excess yeasts are even felt by some cancer experts to be one of the causes of cancer. However, in recent research Wormwood has been shown to have direct anti-cancer properties.