Herbs that improve your immune system, subdue inflammation, boost your nutrition and suppress tumor growth can be complementary and supportive supplements during cancer therapy. For example, brown seaweeds contain fucoidan, which can interfere with cancer cell growth. Graviola and cat's claw are also anti-cancer plants. Consult your physician before adding herbs to your regimen.
Brown Seaweeds
Fucoidan is a phytochemical found in brown seaweeds, including hijiki, kombu and bladderwrack. Fucoidan enhances immune cell function and is immunomodulatory, or balances your immune response. It also inhibits tumor development and shields cells from radiation treatments. Additionally, it has shown an ability to protect neurons and to increase the production of immune cells such as natural killer cells. Brown seaweeds contain crucial minerals including calcium, iodine and iron. They also contains vitamins such as A, E, C and B-12, along with healthy amounts of fiber.
Graviola
Graviola, also called guanabana or custard apple, is tropical tree that produces a tasty fruit. The entire tree, including the root, seeds, fruit and leaves, is used to treat illnesses, including cancer, in the indigenous tribes of the Amazonian rain forest. Graviola, or Annona muricata, has been studied extensively in the laboratory as an anti-cancer plant. Constituents called acetogenins are only found in graviola and its relatives. Taylor notes that the acetogenins in graviola acted against lymphoma cells in the laboratory. In addition, graviola acetogenins slowed cancer cell proliferation in a 2010 study published in "Molecules."
Cat's Claw
Cat's claw, or Uncaria tomentosa, is also a native rain forest plant that is traditionally employed to treat cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. While no human trials have concluded as of July 2011, cat's claw has impressed scientists in the laboratory. Water extracts of cat's claw can mend cellular DNA damage. Corrupted DNA is a factor in carcinogenesis, the process that transforms health cells into malignant ones. Cat's claw also augments your immune system and boosts the action of immune cells such as T-helper cells. Use cat's claw under the supervision of a physician qualified in the appropriate use of this herb.
Safety
Be aware that you should not replace conventional cancer treatment as prescribed by your doctor with herbs and other supplements. While supplements may act in complementary and supportive ways during your cancer treatment, herbs have powerful active ingredients that may cause adverse side effects or drug interactions. For instance, fucoidan is an anti-coagulant and should not be taken with blood-thinning drugs.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Graviola
- "The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs"; Leslie Taylor; 2005
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Fucoidan
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Cat's Claw
- "Molecules"; Antiproliferative Activity, Antioxidant Capacity and Tannin Content in Plants of Semi-arid Northeastern Brazil; J. Gomes de Melo, et al.; November 2010
