Leukemia is a form of cancer that causes the body to produce large numbers of abnormal white blood cells. There are several different types of leukemia, but the most common is acute lymphocytic leukemia, which accounts for 90 percent of all cases. The exact cause of leukemia is not clear, but it may be linked to exposure to high-energy radiation, nicotine, and the chemical benzene. A number of methods are used to treat leukemia, including chemotherapy, biological therapy and bone marrow transplantation. The herb ashwagandha may benefit leukemia patients, but evidence of this is limited. Do not use it in place of conventional cancer treatments.
Properties and Dosage
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that has been used to treat medical conditions including anxiety, fatigue, gastrointestinal disease and cancer. It contains several biologically active compounds including alkaloids, steroidal lactones, saponins and withanolides. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center says the herb may also boost the production of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, cells that boost immunity. Ask your doctor whether you should use this herb, and how much to include in your leukemia treatment plan. The required dose may differ from person to person.
Effectiveness
Results of a study by S. Mondal and colleagues published in the September 2010 issue of "Molecular Cancer" show that ashwagandha induces cell death in both myeloid and lymphoid cells, along with primary cells derived from leukemia patients. Mondal et al. also found that the herb has an additive effect in leukemia chemotherapy. An article by C. Mandal et al. published in the December 2008 issue of "Apoptosis" also suggests that ashwagandha may hold promise as an alternative chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of patients with leukemia of both lymphoid and myeloid origin.
Side Effects and Contraindications
RxList notes that short-term use of ashwagandha is likely safe, but adds that large doses may cause diarrhea and vomiting. The effects of long-term use are unknown. Do not use this herb if you are pregnant; it may induce abortion. Also avoid ashwagandha if you have a stomach ulcer or if you have an immune system disorder such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. It may alter the effects of other drugs including CNS depressants and immunosuppressants. Get medical clearance before taking ashwagandha.
Other Herbal Options
The A.P. John Institute for Cancer Research notes that parsley and green tea may also be beneficial for leukemia patients. Parsley contains chemicals that shut down the activity of enzymes that help cancer to spread, while compounds in green tea may help to shut down the supply of energy to cancer cells. The cancer research institute adds that combining the herb licorice with pantothenic acid may inhibit the spread of leukemia. Talk to your doctor before trying these herbs.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Leukemia
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Ashwagandha
- PubMed: Withanolide D Induces Apoptosis in Leukemia by Targeting the Activation of Neutral Sphingomyelinase-Ceramide Cascade Mediated by synergistic Activation of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase and p38 Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase
- PubMed: Withaferin A Induces Apoptosis by Activating p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Cascade in Leukemic Cells of Lymphoid and Myeloid Origin Through Mitochondrial Death Cascade
- RxList: Ashwagandha
- The A.P. John Institute for Cancer Reseach: Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
