Can Common Herbs Be an Affective Treatment Against Cancer?

Many people are looking for ideas on curing cancer, perhaps reducing the risk may be a better way to go, and looking at herbs that lower the risk of cancer may be one idea to think about. Many herbs have been used over past centuries for treating and healing all kinds of ailments. There are a number of herbs that are said to be suitable for use with different types of cancers and their treatments as a supplementary remedy.

Tumeric is a cooking spice used in India and Asia that contains an anti-oxidant known as curcumin which comes from the roots and rhizomes of the plant. Studies are said to have found that curcumin inhibits the growth of cancer causing enzymes when used with rodents in laboratory research. Basil also known as Sweet Basil is a culinary herb originally from India and used there as a supplementary treatment for stress, diabetes and asthma plus a number of other ailments, it has been found in some scientific studies that the combinations in the oil contain potent anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-oxidants that may have a potential for treating cancer.

Other herbs that lower the risk of cancer may be in the use of green tea made from Camellia Sinensis an evergreen shrub. The leaves of this shrub contain powerful anti-oxidants known as catechins which are a sub group of the active ingredient polyphenol found in the leaf of the shrub. A number of scientific studies have suggested that certain cancers, at certain stages of development may be inhibited by the intake of more than normal quantities of green tea. It has also been suggested that green tea may also act as a deterrent in the formation of certain cancers. Red Clover flower is another herb that is purported to be used for cancer treatment, so far studies that have taken place have had mixed results and it has been said that red clover has not been found effective for preventing or treating cancer, research is continuing however with prostate cancer and prostate enlargement. Echinacea is a plant that was used by the Plains Indians of America in the 1800s to treat many health problems, it was then used by the earlier settlers and was also used up until the 1940s but then largely forgotten due to the advent of penicillin. Many German studies from the 1950s to the 1980s found this herb had immune stimulating and infection fighting properties. Echinacea increases the ability of the white blood cells in the body to fight infections. There are indications that it is useful in increasing the white blood cells during cancer treatment and as a promising anti-cancer treatment against leukemia and a number of other animal tumors. Research is continuing.

Several other herbs that lower the risk of cancer may also be plants such as parsley which is a native of the Mediterranean and goes back to the early AD centuries. Parsley contains phytochemicals which are said to affect cell division and may help with the control of apoptosis or normal and regulated cell death, and help avoid necrosis or uncontrolled cell death. Studies have not yet been completed on parsleys affect on cancer cells. Rosemary is another herb that may be of use as it has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant characteristics, it is said to help block the actions of carcinogens attaching to the cells of DNA which can cause mutations. Trials are being done to ascertain its effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of cancers. Dill is an herb that has many qualities similar to other herbs and is effective against certain types of infections. In laboratory tests it suppresses estrogen metabolism and reduces DNA damage. Normal amounts of dill used as a spice are considered safe, however dill essential oil and highly concentrated amounts used on a frequent basis may be toxic to cells.

The effect of peppermint and spearmint on several types of cancers has been found to be promising in laboratory tests on mice and tests are continuing. These mints have been used in the past to treat a number of ailments, peppermint and spearmint when used together may cause problems with libido, and when used in large amounts or used as a normal everyday tea over a long period may cause problems with hormonal imbalances. Thyme is another herb which has high amounts of anti-oxidants, but is mostly used in a culinary way. There are many other herbs that may or may not have anti-oxidant properties which help in the reduction of free radicals and having the right information about taking any preparations made from herbs is important to reduce any problems that may occur with a toxic effect that some herbs can have, when taken over a long period or in too large a quantity.


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