Although most patients who develop cancer are treated using traditional methods, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, many patients opt to try one or more of a number of herbal treatments for cancer. Some herbs may help prevent cancer, while others may actually reduce the growth or spread of existing cancer.
Cat's Claw
Cat's Claw, or Una de Gato, is the most commonly used anti-cancer herbal supplement. It may act to stimulate and stabilize white blood cell populations. It is a modulator for the immune system that appears to increase activity when immune functioning is low, but also to decrease white blood cell production when too high. This may be important in the treatment of blood cancers, such as leukemia, neuroblastoma and glioma, as well as in cases of HIV or AIDS.
Astragalus
Astragalus may work to increase activity and production of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and T cells to boost the immune system and destroy cancer cells. It can help restore white blood cell counts after chemotherapy and may help protect against renal damage that may be experienced with some chemotherapy medications.
American Ginseng
American ginseng (Panax) may help to increase functioning of the immune system in a way that is similar to current immune-modulating medications. Panax appears to increase T lymphocyte and natural killer (NK) activity. This may be useful in the treatment of susceptible tumors, such as colon cancer, skin cancer and lung cancer.
Siberian Ginseng
Eleuthero, also known as Siberian ginseng, may protect against hormone-related tumors by binding to progesterone and estrogen receptors to block tumor growth stimulation. It may also stimulate T cell and NK cell formation, which work to eliminate cancerous cells.
Garlic
Garlic is thought to have the ability to reduce growth of estrogen-dependent cancer cells. This may be effective in estrogen-related cancers, including uterine and breast cancer. Allicin, the component in garlic that is thought to provide the most effect, may stimulate cellular immunity and increase the activity of macrophages as well as T cells, which are important in the functioning of the immune system. Garlic may also increase the absorption of selenium, which is thought to protect against the growth of new tumors.
Green Tea
Green tea is high in catechins, potent antioxidants found not only in green tea but also in red wine and many berry products. Green tea's antioxidant activity may stop cellular mutations to protect against the development of cancer and against the spread of currently existing cancer in metastasis. It may also block estrogen receptors to prevent or reduce the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors, such as breast and uterine cancer.
Barberry Extract
Barberry contains the phytochemical berberine, which may retard tumor growth and stop cancer cell division. It is also an antioxidant that may prevent cellular degradation, which leads to the development of environmentally related cancers, such as lung cancer.
Asian Mushrooms
Asian mushrooms, including Reishi, Maitake and Shiitake, have been used to reduce tumor development and stimulate the immune system, including the possible increase in bone marrow formation. They may also provide some benefit in the protection against organ damage caused by some types of chemotherapy, including kidney and heart damage.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: About Herbs
- "Prescription for Herbal Healing;" Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.; 2001
