Cancer Fighting Botanicals: Medicine for the 21st Century
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Cancer Fighting Botanicals: Medicine for the 21st Century For years you've
been told to eat your greens. Perhaps now there is more incentive for you to do
so, other than Mother's good wisdom of the past. Vegetables, herbs, and fruits,
will not only help to produce a glowing, vibrant "you," but will help
you to beat the odds of developing cancer as well. Breast Cancer Prostate Cancer Men are also at risk
for cancer due to hormonal imbalance. Sixty percent of men between the ages of
40 and 60 suffer from BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or enlargement of the
prostate. One of the primary reasons for this is the fall off of testosterone
levels in men of this age group. As testosterone levels decrease, other
hormones, especially dihydrotestosterone, are on the rise and concentrate in the
prostate. Dihydrotestosterone is a potent androgen, formerly metabolized with
testosterone in the prostate and excreted. However, as testosterone levels
dwindle, and other hormones increase, this metabolism is prevented, and what
testosterone is present is converted to dihydrotestosterone. This results in the
overproduction of prostate cells, and eventually, enlargement of the prostate. There is hope, and prevention. Studies show that adequate zinc intake, particularly zinc picolinate, prevents the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase from irreversibly converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, and paves the way for normal metabolism and excretion of both hormones. In addition, research involving the extract of the berries of the Saw Palmetto (Sernoa repens) inhibit the overproduction of dihydrotestosterone. Studies have also shown that daily doses of Panax ginseng increases testosterone levels, and improves the absorption of zinc. Liver Cancer The Kurume University School of Medicine in Japan conducted a series of studies on the effects of a popular medicine blend called Sho-saiko-to on liver cancer. This traditional Chinese medicine is composed of Bupleurum penelia, Chinese skullcap, Zyzyphus, ginseng, licorice and ginger. Their findings showed that this product demonstrated an ability to battle cancerous liver cells, while stimulating healthy cell regeneration. The study also concluded that these herbs were much more effective in combination than in singular form, and offered protection from the formation of cancer cells that no other medicine, including synthetics, could duplicate. Pancreatic Cancer Rodent research in 1984 spurred London's Charing Cross Hospital to launch a Phase I trial of limonene last year to treat pancreatic cancer. Limonene is derived from the essential oils of citrus fruits, mints, caraway, dill, lemongrass, and other plants. In the animal studies, limonene not only deterred new tumor formation, but caused the deterioration of existing tumors as well. Other Cancers Velban and Oncovin are the registered trade names of two anti-cancer drugs manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. The development of these beneficial drugs began with the investigation of cancer folk remedies. The researchers eventually discovered that the extract of Tropical periwinkle leaves (Catharanthus roseus) extended the lives of mice chemically infected with leukemia. Vinblastine sulfate (Velban) is used to treat Hodgkin's disease, and some skin or lymph cancers. Vincristine sulfate (Oncovin) contains an alkaloid useful in treating childhood leukemia's and breast cancer. In one study, both drugs were combined and given to patients with malignant lymphoma. Significant improvement was experienced by 43% of the group. Plant Sources of Cancer-Fighting Agents allyic sulfides - garlic, onions, chives, leeks, ginger benzyaldehyde - figs bromelain - pineapple caffeic acid and ferulic acid - apple carotenoids - carrots, squash, dill, calendula, cayenne, peppermint, dandelion chlorgenic acid - tomatoes dithiolhiones - broccoli ellagic acid - apples, mangoes, grapes, papaya indoles, sulphoraphane and isothiocyanates - broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, bok choy, cabbage, turnip greens, mustard greens, radishes, watercress limonene - citrus fruits, angelica, caraway, dill, lemongrass, lavender, horehound lycopene - tomatoes, red peppers, watermelon, pink grapefruit lutein - spinach phytic acid - whole grains phytosterols - soybeans, dried beans terpenes - oranges,
saffron, bay, marjoram, thyme |
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