Cancer is a leading cause of death in people ages 45 to 64 years old. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Ayurvedic medicine relies heavily on herbal treatments has been practiced in India for over 5,000 years. The "African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines," or AJTCAM, states that approximately 30 herbs have shown anti-tumor activities. They report on four herbs with the least toxic side effects: Curcuma longa, Ocimum sanctum, Tinospora cordifolia and Zizyphus mauritiana.
Curcuma Longa
Curcuma lona, or turmeric, has been used for thousands of years in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine as treatment for a variety of ailments. The "AJTCAM" reports that Curcuma longa has shown a wide spectrum of therapeutic effects, including anti-tumor properties. Studies in mice revealed little toxicity, even with the use of high doses. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there has been a large amount of research on turmeric's anti-cancer potential, but more research is needed.
Ocimum Sanctum
Ocimum sanctum, known as holy basil in English, contains a volatile oil which produces many benefits; these include anti-tumor properties, according to the "AJTCAM." There were no toxic side effects reported in studies done with mice and rats. "Phytotherapy Research" published a study on Ocimum sanctum's activity against human non-small cell lung cancer cells. The results concluded that extracts of this herb can be used for lung cancer as an effective chemo-therapeutic agent.
Tinospora Cordifolia
Tinospora cordifolia, a large shrub found in India, contains at least 12 beneficial constituents. Included in these properties is anti-neoplastic or anti-cancer benefits, states the "AJTCAM." Sixty day studies on mice did not show any significant toxic side effects. This herb, known as Guduchi in India, has been reported to treat throat cancer in humans, according to "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine." It is theorized that the herb disrupts DNA in cancer cells.
Zyzyphus Mauritiana
Zizyphus mauritiana, know as Indian berry in English, grows abundantly in forest throughout India. The "AJTCAM" says that the active components in this herb drastically improve the immune system and inhibit cancer formation. "Phytochemistry Letters" reports that one compound from Zizyphus mauritiana called betulinic acid inhibits the growth of human melanoma, or skin cancer, cells. They also state that betulinic acid has been shown to be toxic to malignant brain tumor cells.
References
- "African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicinces:" Anti-Tumor Activity of Four Ayurvedic Herbs, M Adharyu, et al., June 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Turmeric
- "Phytotherapy Research:" Ocimum Sanctum Induces Apoptosis in A549 Lung Cancer Cells , V Magesh, et al., Oct 2009
- "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine:" Evaluation of Cytotoxic Effects of Dichloromethane Extract of Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), C Ganesh, et al., April 2006
- "Phytochemistry Letters:" The Continuing Search for Antitumor Agents From Higher Plants
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Ayurveda
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