A Chinese herb; an immune system booster, known to stimulate the 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.

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.

Research shows consistent anti-neoplastic activity. It is effective against cancer tumors and can shrink them, and has proven useful with sarcomas.

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.

An adaptogen and powerful immuno-stimulant, it enhances the white cells clean up 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.

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. Also, it seems especially interesting with breast cancer. It is also an anti-oxidant and anti-microbial, with low toxicity.

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.

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

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.

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, parthenolide, on to its fast track program. Nothing has yet been heard. But then, the FDA has never approved a herb for use as a cancer treatment.

 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.

Known for years to be helpful to 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 little evidence that it has its own anti-cancer activity too.

This tree bark was originally 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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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. After two weeks of daily use, blood and tissue oxygen levels improve, as does circulation. And oxygen is the enemy of the cancer cell, as Otto Warburg told the world.

 WORMWOOD

Please be clear, no one is saying these herbs are not without any side-effects. Equally, they may conflict with some drugs. The important point is that we are still discovering many of their benefits, albeit very slowly because individual local herbalists just do not have the funds to conduct large-scale clinical trials as the drug companies do. You should seriously consider the use of herbs as a part of your integrative cancer-fighting program. They just might make a serious difference to your health. But please make sure you go to an expert medical herbalist for clear and informed advice.

By CancerActive.com