Herbs for Cancer
Cancer-Fighting
Herbs and Roots
by author Keith Stelling, MNIMH, Dip Phyto, MCPP (Eng)
Plant
roots may be out of sight, but they shouldn’t be out of
mind when it comes to dealing with cancer. Any physical
approach to healing cancer must first concentrate on restoring
both the organs of elimination and the circulation of nutrients
in the body. Roots are ideally suited for this task because
they are often cleansing and eliminative as well as supportive
and nutritive. Relative to the rest of the plant, roots
have a more complex, enduring structure with a concentration
of stored energy.
Two
such roots ideal for restoring the liver are carrots and
beets, along with apples and a little lemon. Freshly juice
this combination and drink a glass each day. Raw carrots
provide an abundance of beta-carotene, a known cancer fighter.
At the same time, carrots regulate the bowels, which are
often sluggish a number of years before diagnosis of the
disease. Here are other cancer-fighting herbs and roots.
8
Black Seed Blessings
You
may not be familiar with it yet, but black seed is as popular
in its homeland of the Middle East as garlic is in the West.
In fact, garlic and black seed have something in common:
both are powerful immune stimulants.
Black
seed (Nigella sativa), also known as black caraway, black
cumin and "seed of blessing," is a mild, aromatic
herb that has been time-tested for more than 4,000 years.
A famous Arabic physician of the 13th century, Ibn Kaym,
said it could be used for more than 50 ailments, including
respiratory disease, arthritis and inflammation.
Recent
scientific studies have found that black seed is also a
powerful anti-tumour herb. Researchers at Florida’s Panama
City Clinic also noted that it stimulates the immune system’s
T-cells. "This effect may exert an important role in
cases involving cellular immuno-deficiency, particularly
in cancer and AIDS," the study concludes.
Elsevier
Scientific Publishers in Ireland also report: "It is
evident that the active principle isolated from Nigella
sativa seeds is a potent anti-tumour agent and the constituent
long chain fatty acid may be the active component."
1. Echinacea: When harvesting roots we often look for those
that have already been in the soil for three years–as in
the case of echinacea or purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia).
Well known for its immune- enhancing abilities, echinacea
activates phagocytosis (destruction of foreign organisms
by white blood cells and scavenger cells called macrophages)
and increases the activity of natural killer cells in cancer
patients. Echinacea also detoxifies the lymphatic glands
and protects against infection, a common complication in
advanced cancers.
2. Dandelion: Another root with remarkable healing and preventive
properties is good old dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale
radix). Dandelion is good for the liver and digestion. It
purifies and nourishes the blood, stimulates bile flow,
increases stomach juices and relieves constipation. Eat
its leaves in salads to add valuable fibre and nutrition
to the diet. A tea made from the freshly dug, unsprayed
roots, or a little of the roots chewed fresh each day has
kept many hale and hardy into old age (see page 100).
3. Burdock Root: Burdock root (Arctium lappa) is a respected
medicinal herb in both Asia and the West. It is known to
build the immune system, tone the liver, kidneys and lungs,
purify the blood by neutralizing poisons and cleanse the
lymphatic system. It also contains proven anti-cancer compounds
that have shown to be active against leukemia, lymphoma
and various types of tumours.
4. Valerian: One of the best roots to promote better sleeping
and to eliminate some of the anxiety of a cancer patient
is valerian (Valeriana officinalis). This natural tranquilizer
does not have the undesirable side-effects and addiction
associated with pharmaceuticals. Modern research has attributed
valerian’s cytotoxic (cancer-destroying) effects to its
valepotriate constituents. You can make a tea from the dried
root, cut very finely, or if you find the odour unpleasant,
take three to five millilitres of tincture, three times
daily.
5. Astragalus: Another cancer-fighting root is the Chinese
herb astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), an adaptogen
(helps the body cope with stressors) that has been shown
to slow down metastasis (spread of cancer cells) and to
stimulate the immune system’s T-cells. Astragalus also protects
against the toxic effects of chemotherapy.
6. Pau d’arco: Made from the inner bark of the lapacho tree
found in South America, pau d’arco (Tabebuia spp.) has a
long folk history of use in the treatment of infections
and cancer. Substances in pau d’arco’s inner bark improve
oxygen to better nourish cells and contain natural antibiotic
and anti-tumour constituents. It can be taken internally
as capsules or tea or externally as baths or compresses.
7. Calendula (English Marigold): Calendula officinalis has
a long tradition of use for cancer going back to Dioscorides
(first century AD) and Matthiolus (1500-1577). The petals
of this plant have been used as a poultice, compress, ointment
and infusion for tumours in countries as diverse as Spain,
Norway, Uruguay, the Philippines, Chile, Yugoslavia and
Argentina. Like many herbs, it works best when applied directly
as a local treatment. However, recent evidence suggests
that internal use has immunostimulant and anti-tumoural
effects.
For
freedom from cancer, it’s never too early to give a medical
herbalist or naturopath a chance to counsel you on both
physical and mental strategies for optimum well-being.
For
more information on herbalism or for a referral to an herbalist,
contact the Ontario Herbalists Association at 416-536-1509
or 1-877-OHA-HERB. Website herbalists.on.ca. The Canadian
Association of Herbal Practitioners can be reached at 403-270-0936.
For
a referral to a naturopath in your area, call the Canadian
Naturopathic Association at 1-877-628-7284. In BC, call
the BC Naturopathic Association at 604-736-6646. In Ontario,
call the Ontario Naturopathic Association at 416-233-2001.
Founding
editor of the Canadian Journal of Herbalism and member of
the Canadian Second Expert Advisor Committee on Herbs and
Botanical Preparations, Keith Stelling was recently awarded
life membership in the College of Practitioners of Phytotherapy
(Eng). He is presently completing a book on herbal medicine.
Source:
alive #234, April 2002
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