A holistic approach to the care of terminal cancer patients includes herbal treatments. Although these treatments are believed to be effective in stimulating the immune system when used in conjunction with conventional medical treatments, research has not provided sufficient proof to support this. Essiac tea, Hoxsey and Chinese treatments use a combination of herbs. Mistletoe injections, also known as iscador, are a mainstream cancer treatment in Europe but are prohibited in the United States.
Essiac
Essiac tea is made up of a combination of herbs that include Indian rhubarb, sorrel, slippery elm and burdock. A product is marketed by a company in Canada that consists of dehydrated herbs, unlike the reputedly more effective fresh herbs used by Rene Caisse, the Canadian originator of the tea. Essiac is used primarily in the later stages of terminal cancer.
One of the ingredients, Indian rhubarb, contains benzaldehyde, a component of laetrile. According to information provided by the National Cancer Institute, it is believed that cyanide is the active anticancer ingredient in laetrile, although studies have not shown that it produces a significant anticancer effect.
Laetrile itself is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However Essiac is administered by alternative physicians to help detoxify the liver and other organs and cleanse the blood of patients after chemotherapy or radiation.
Mistletoe
Mistletoe, Viscum album or the derivative iscador, is a popular mainstream herbal cancer remedy in Europe and is available in most cancer clinics there. Although research studies do not provide sufficient evidence to recommend its use, some trials reported by G.S. Kienle and H. Kiene in 2010 in "Integrative Cancer Therapies" point to a reduction in the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy, together with some tumor remissions, after its use. The lectins, alkaloids and viscotoxins in mistletoe may be responsible for these effects. Mistletoe is given by subcutaneous injection near or directly into the tumor.
The Food and Drug Administration prohibits the importation, sale or use of injectable mistletoe except for research purposes.
Hoxsey
Harry Hoxsey at the turn of the twentieth century developed an herbal treatment for terminal cancer patients by observing which plants animals seek out when they are ill. The Hoxsey treatment consists of an externally applied red paste mixture of bloodroot and other ingredients believed to destroy cancerous tissue, and another mixture of herbs to be taken internally. These include red clover, burdock root, cascara, stillingia root, licorice, barberry, buckthorn bark and prickly ash bark to boost the immune system. Patients are encouraged to avoid pork, vinegar, tomatoes, carbonated drinks and alcohol.
Studies do not show the effectiveness of Hoxsey herbs. The American Cancer Society reports that the Hoxsey treatment is no longer legal in the U.S. It is available, however, in Mexican clinics.
Chinese Herbs
Numerous Chinese formulas for the herbal treatment of terminal cancer patients exist using herbs such as curcuma, white peony, blue citrus, lobelia and dandelion. Other herbs are used topically, such as rhubarb, musk and borax. None of these treatments have been validated by scientific research.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Laetrile/Amygdalin
- "Integrated Cancer Therapy"; Influence of Viscum album L. (European Mistletoe) Extracts on Quality of Life in Cancer Patients; Kienle GS, Kiene H; 2010
- Life Positive: Herbal Cancer Treatment
- American Cancer Society: Hoxsey Herbal Treatment
- Institute for Traditional Medicine: Prognosis After Diagnosis of Liver Cancer: The Influence of Chinese Herbs
