Cancer treatment most often involves the traditional therapies of radiation, surgery and chemotherapy but there are a number of promising cancer fighting herbs which are often used in addition to traditional medical treatment. Some cancer fighting herbs are also thought to prevent the formation of cancer.
Estrogen modulating herbs
Garlic is thought to provide cancer protection by reducing proliferation of estrogen-activated cancer cells leading to a reduced tumor size, particularly in estrogen related cancers such as breast and uterine cancer. The active component in garlic, allicin may increase T cell proliferation, and promote cellular immunity, stimulate macrophage toxicity on tumor cells. Garlic is also thought to have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal activity. It may increase selenium absorption which is an important protective mechanism against the development of new tumors.
Siberian ginseng, is not technically a ginseng but a plant called Eleuthero which has been used as an anti cancer herb because it binds to estrogen and progesterone receptors, blocking tumor stimulating activity. It is also an immunostimulant which appears to stimulate T cell and natural killer (NK) cell production which then work to destroy cancer cells.
Immune modulating herbs
Cat's Claw, also called pau d'arco, is one of the most commonly used anti-cancer herbal treatments. It acts as an immune stimulator and stabilizes white blood cell counts. It can reduce over production of white blood cells in cases of blood cancers and can help to boost white blood cells in patients who have undergone chemotherapy. It has demonstrated antiviral and anti cancer activity on several different types of cancer including leukemia, glioma and neuroblastoma. It has also been widely used for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.
American Ginseng, also called Panax quinquefolius, may help to activate the body's own immune system against cancer and may be particularly useful in cancers that are treatable by immune modulators such as melanoma, colon cancer and non small cell lung cancer. It may work by increasing T helper cell formation, T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells, which act to destroy cancer tissue.
Astragalus is an herb which may activate the immune system by increasing production of T cells and lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells which work to kill cancer cells. It also helps to restore white blood cell counts after chemotherapy and may help to prevent renal damage occasionally associated with chemotherapy.
Antioxidants
Catechins, largely present in red wine, are potent antioxidants that may stop cellular processes causing tumor development and growth. Catechins are thought to prevent cancer formation and protect against cancer metastasis.
Green Tea is a powerful antioxidant which may prevent genetic cell damage caused by both cancers and chemotherapy. It is also thought to block estrogen receptors in estrogen dependent tumors such as breast and uterine cancers and may reduce tumor blood supply in other cancers.
Barberry extract contains the active component, berberine which may retard multiplication of cancer cells and stop tumor growth. Berberine is also an antioxidant which may prevent formation of new tumors.
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