Some herbs are capable of destroying cancerous cells. In addition to boosting the immune system, some compounds in herbs can specifically target and eliminate healthy cells. Therefore, people faced with cancer may benefit from incorporating certain herbs into treatment. However, consult your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any cancer with herbs.
Oregano
Oregano is a spice herb that is very popular in Mediterranean dishes. Oregano has good potential as cancer-fighting herb because it supports the body's defenses in two important ways. The compounds in oregano can directly affect colon adenocarcinoma cells, according to the findings of a study published in May 2009 in "Nutrition and Cancer." Adenocarcinoma is the most popular type of colon cancer where polyps called adenomas grow and eventually become cancerous. With oregano, healthy cells remain intact. Secondly, oregano strengthens the natural immune system response against cancer cell proliferation.
Ovarian Cancer
There is scientific evidence that apigenin may help protect against ovarian cancer. Apigenin is a compound found in parsley, basil and other plants. Apigenin was found to produce apoptosis, or the death of human ovarian cancer cells, in vitro in a study published in 2010 in the "Modern Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine."
Berberine
Berberine is a chemical compound in several plants and fruits, including barberry. Berberine shows evidence as a potential-cancer fighting compound. In human liver cancer cells, berberine was found to cause apoptosis, in a study published in December 2010 the "Journal of Cellular Biochemistry." Specifically, berberine stimulates the immune system's ability in scavenging cancerous cells.
Scutellaria Barbata
Scutellaria barbata is an herb used in Chinese medicine to fight cancer. Scientific studies support this use. For example, in mice treated with Scutellaria barbata, the spread of prostate cancer tumor cells was delayed, according to a study published in August 2009 in the "European Journal of Cancer Prevention." The treatment reduced the survival capacity of prostate cancer cells.
References
- "Ingenta Connect"; Origanum Vulgare Induces Apoptosis in Human Colon Cancer Caco2 Cells; Isabella Savini, et al.; May 2009
- "Modern Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine"; Mechanism Study of Apigenin Inducing Apoptosis of Human Ovarian Cancer Cells Through Inhibiting Protein Kinase B Activity; Ren Xiucong and Li Yanmin; 2010
- "Journal of Cellular Biochemistry"; Berberine Induces Autophagic Cell Death and Mitochondrial Apoptosis in Liver Cancer Cells: The Cellular Mechanism; Ning Wang, et al.; December 2010
- "European Journal of Cancer Prevention"; Chinese Medicinal Herb Scutellaria Barbata Modulates Apoptosis and Cell Survival in Murine and Human Prostate Cancer Cells and Tumor Development in TRAMP Mice; Brian Wong, et al.; August 2009
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