The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent at the root of malignant conditions such as cervical and anal cancers. The virus is also known to cause the growth of warts in the genital area, as a result of sexual transmission, as well as in other less benign places, like the hands and feet. HPV is often screened for during yearly gynecological exams in women so that the potentially degenerate changes that the virus can initiate can be watched closely and treated swiftly. There are a number of herbal treatments for HPV, using both single and combinations of ingredients.
Escharotic Treatments
Escharotic treatments are localized therapies utilizing herbs that are caustic or corrosive in nature. Their purpose, according to naturopathic physician and author Tori Hudson, N.D., is to remove abnormal cells. In the case of cervical escharotic treatments, the goal is to eliminate cells that have become infected with HPV. Escharotic treatments have been of long-held traditional and clinical value in the practice of naturopathic medicine. Hudson notes in the 2008 edition of her "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine" that she has personally executed these treatments in women for nearly 25 years. The escharotic treatment applies herbs such as Sanguinaria canadensis, commonly known as bloodroot, directly to the cervix, where the HPV infection lies.
Beta-Sitosterols
Beta-sitosterols (BSS) are constituents found in many herbs and foods. They are known to belong to a family of plant ingredients known as phytosterols. Beta-sitosterol has been studied for its many diverse actions in the body, including prostate support, cardiovascular protection and cancer prevention, according to a 1999 "Alternative Medicine Review" journal article. The article additionally notes the plant sterols' action against HPV. It notes that beta-sitosterols help manage chronic infections, such as that of the human papillomavirus. The article specifically notes that invasion of the virus into the cervical tissue of a woman can lead to cancerous changes. The lesions that are created are described as resulting from the virus's presence and BSS has been subjectively reported to improve the condition.
Curcumin
Curcumin is the yellow-pigmented, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer component of the East-Asian and Indian spice turmeric. This herb has potent culinary and medicinal uses and is noted in a 2006 issue of "Molecular Carcinogenesis" to effectively treat HPV-infected cervical cancer cells. Curcumin has very strong antiviral actions in addition to its other healthy aspects. The study found that curcumin reduced the expression of a gene that signals inflammation in the tissue infected by HPV. It is additionally noted to down regulate important cell signaling that leads to HPV growth and proliferation within the cervical cells. Curcumin is described as a viable herbal therapy in managing HPV-associated cell growth.
References
- "Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine"; Tori Hudson, N.D.; 2008
- Integrative Cancer Therapies: An Alternative Treatment for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
- Alternative Medicine Review: Plant Sterols and Sterolins: A Review of Their Immune-Modulating Properties
- Molecular Carcinogenesis: Antitumor action of curcumin in human papillomavirus associated cells involves downregulation of viral oncogenes, prevention of NFKB and AP-1 translocation, and modulation of apoptosis
