Numerous herbs may be helpful in treating your lung cancer. According to MayoClinic.com, lung cancer is a type of cancer that manifest in your lungs and is the number-one cause of cancer deaths among American men and women. If you smoke, you have a greater likelihood of developing lung cancer. Before taking herbs to help treat your lung cancer, talk with your cancer specialist about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Cat's Claw
Cat's claw is an herb that may be helpful in treating your lung cancer. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, cat's claw, also known as Uncaria tomentosa, is a woody vine that grows wild in numerous Central and South American countries, especially in the Amazon rainforest. Cat's claw has been used for hundreds of years to help treat many health problems, including cancer, arthritis and viral infections. Cat's claw, notes the NCCAM, has also been used to support your kidney health and immune system. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that cat's claw promotes and improves your immune system function and has been used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of cancer. Before taking cat's claw to help treat your lung cancer, talk with your cancer specialist about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Astragalus
Astragalus is an herb that may be beneficial in treating your lung cancer. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that astragalus, also known as Astragalus membranaceus, is a perennial plant native to eastern parts of China, Mongolia and Korea. Astragalus, a member of the legume family, has a sweet taste. The root of the plant is used medicinally to treat numerous health problems. According to Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," astragalus is an immune system modulator and possesses anti-tumor properties. A 2006 study by Michael McCulloch and colleagues published in the "Journal of Clinical Oncology" states that astragalus-based Chinese herbal medicine may boost the effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Before taking astragalus to help treat your lung cancer, talk with your cancer specialist about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Skullcap
Skullcap is an herb that may be effective in treating your lung cancer. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, or MSKCC, skullcap, also known as Scutellaria barbata, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat numerous health problems, including cancer, epilepsy, atherosclerosis, hepatitis, infections, inflammation and insomnia. Skullcap, a member of the mint family, has a bitter taste. The leaves and root of this plant are used medicinally. The MSKCC states that in vitro studies suggest that flavonoids -- a biologically-active substance -- in this plant have anti-cancer activity. According to a 2004 study by Xiaolu Yin and colleagues published in the journal "Life Sciences," an extract of skullcap greatly inhibited the growth of human lung cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, or programmed cancer cell death. Before taking skullcap to help treat your lung cancer, talk with your cancer specialist about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Lung Cancer
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Cat's Claw
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Astragalus
- "Journal of Clinical Oncology"; Astragalus-Based Chinese Herbs; M. McCulloch et al.; January 2006
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Sculletaria
- "Life Sciences"; Anticancer Activity of Sculletaria; Xiaolu Yin et al.; September 2004
