Cervical cancer starts in the cervix, which is a narrow point at the base of the uterus. It's one of the leading causes of death from cancer among American women; however, the rate of mortality due to cervical cancer has decreased in the last few decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Herbs are commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat cervical cancer. However, it's important to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before you consider using them.
Green Tea
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate -- the most active and abundant catechin in green tea -- has been shown to exhibit cervical cancer-preventive activities in animal research models, according to a 2009 study published in the Arizona Cancer Center website. Green tea polyphenols are strong antioxidant compounds, which are thought to cure cancer through the augmentation of the repair of damaged DNA.
Turmeric
Turmeric and its main bioactive compound curcumin seem to reduce the growth of cervical cancer, according to a study published in the book "Herbal Medicine, Healing, and Cancer" written by Donald Yance and Arlene Valentine. Curcumin inhibits the formation of reactive oxygen metabolites, commonly known as free radicals, in your body, thereby reducing health problems related to free radicals, such as cancer.
Reishi Mushroom
Scientifically known as Ganoderma lucidum, reishi mushroom is highly regarded for its cancer protective action. Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, scientists think reishi mushroom may slow the growth of cervical cancer cells by activating the body's natural cancer killer cells T lymphocytes, according to a study published in the Journal "Phytochemistry," which was conducted by C.R. Cheng and colleagues at the Shanghai Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences and Chinese Academy of Sciences.
References
- University of California, Los Angeles: What is Cervical Cancer?
- The Arizona Cancer Center: Clinical Trial to Study Effects of Green Tea Extract on Cervical Cancer Prevention
- "Herbal Medicine, Healing, and Cancer"; Donald Yance and Arlene Valentine; 1999
- "Herbal Treatment of Children: Western and Ayurvedic perspectives"; Anne McIntyre; 2005
- PubMed: Cytotoxic Triterpenoids From Ganoderma Lucidum
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Gynecologic Cancers
