Several herbs may be effective complementary treatments for cancer. Herbal treatments for cancer are not meant to replace the medications and therapies prescribed by your doctor. Some herbs that have shown promise in fighting cancer are European mistletoe, green tea, astragalus and cat's claw. Herbs can sometimes interfere with other medications you are taking, so consult your doctor before taking them.
European Mistletoe
European mistletoe has been used to treat cancer in Europe for years. Several European studies have demonstrated that cancer patients who consume European mistletoe experience increased survivability and improved quality of life, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. However, most of those studies contain flaws in their methods. Some, for instance, used small sample sizes, and others did not have control groups. Both of these are oversights by the researchers and significantly reduce the validity of their conclusions about mistletoe and cancer. Research is ongoing to determine the true efficacy of mistletoe.
Green Tea
Green tea and its extracts have been used for years as a complementary cancer treatment. The data from studies of the herb's efficacy show mixed results. In vitro studies suggest that the herb does slow and prevent the growth of cancer cells. However, whether it actually increases survivability in people with cancer has yet to be conclusively determined, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Research is ongoing.
Astragalus
Astragalus is an herb that has been traditionally used as a immune system booster by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. Only a few poorly designed studies have been done to investigate the effect of astragalus on cancer. They found potential benefits for cancer patients when the herb is mixed with another herb, called glossy privet. Also, the immune system is key in helping your body fight against cancer. So if astragalus does indeed boost your immune system, it could help your body resist the effects of cancer.
Cat's Claw
Cat's claw has been used in South American medicine to treat everything from arthritis to cancer. It is also believed to be an immune system booster. While no direct evidence exists to support the idea that cat's claw helps fight cancer, it has been shown to boost part of the immune system in vitro, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The immune system-boosting effect has not been shown to occur in people, but if it does, astragalus could be a valuable anti-cancer supplement.
References
- Medline Plus: Herbal Treatments
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: European Mistletoe
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Green Tea
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Astragalus
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Cat's Claw
