While the use of herbal remedies to fight disease and illness has a considerable lineage, many herbs have also been classified as having strong anti-oxidant and cancer-fighting properties. Though it is rarely recommended to use herbs alone when treating cancer, herbs used in addition to other alternative medicine techniques--such as fasting, macrobiotic diet and juice cleansing--can offer an effective edge in battling cancer symptoms. Check with your doctor or personal physician before adopting high dosages of herbal medicine to make sure your chosen herbs do not interfere with other medication you may be taking.
Green Tea
A popular beverage for its weight-loss and cardiovascular benefits, green tea also contains potent antioxidant compounds called polyphenols. These compounds, combined with other antioxidant mechanisms in the body, proactively eliminate free radicals that may otherwise damage cell membranes, promote cancer and even cause cell death. According to studies reported by the University of Maryland Medical Center, the polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) may be effective in preventing skin tumors from starting and growing within the body. While drinking organic green tea in teabag form is a pleasant way to receive the benefits of green tea, it is also available in tablet form at many pharmacies or health food stores.
Astragalus
Refered to as Huang ch'i in traditional Chinese medicine, astragalus is an effective herbal remedy for boosting the body's immune functions. Claimed to produce a telophase-enhancing reaction within the body, astragalus as both a tea and tincture has been associated to anti-aging and general wellness in Ayurvedic medicine. While independent research has yet to affirm the consistency of these benefits, a study reported by the American Cancer Society and performed by the University of Texas Medical Center revealed some of the cancer-fighting quality of astragalus. According to the study, astragalus was mixed with the blood of cancer patients, resulting in a marked increase in the strength of the cancer-killing cells T lymphocytes. While astragalus may cause low blood pressure, dizziness and fatigue if taken incorrectly, appropriate oral doses of nine to 30 grams a day are considered to be safe.
Pau D'Arco
Also known as tabebuia and lapacho, pau d'arco is a species of tree native to Central and Southern America and parts of the Caribbean. Though also available in tincture and pill form, the common application of pau d'arco utilizes a dried and shredded form of the tree bark boiled in a sour, brownish tea. Used both for its antibiotic properties and as an expectorant and lung-enhancer, the flavonoids contained in pau d'arco may also be linked to containing cancer-fighting properties. According to the web resource Radiant Health, pau d'arco is considered the only known herb that destroys both toxic bacteria and toxic viruses simultaneously, while strengthening the immune system and balancing the body's organs.
