Cancer is caused by cell outgrowth in the body. There are various types of cancer but treatment methods are narrowed down to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.Although cancer can be treated alone with herbal remedies, it can be prevented and the side effects of the conventional therapies can be minimized by herbs. Here are some herbs that prove effective against various types of cancer.
Effective Herbal Remedies for Cancer
Milk Thistle
This herb is traditionally known as a remedy for liver disorders. But it has been found that milk thistle protects the liver while the cancer patient is on chemotherapy. Liver toxicity is one of the worst side effects of chemotherapy and milk thistle reduces the risk of liver toxicity.
Echinacea
This herb is renowned for boosting the immune system. It is also helpful as a remedy against brain tumors. It enhances the production of white blood cells in the body.
Butcher’s Broom
The active agents in this herb called ruscogenins have amazing anti-oestrogenic as well as tumor-shrinking capabilities. It has been really helpful against breast cancer.
Cat’s Claw
This herb is an adaptogen and has incredible properties that boost the immune system. It also triggers the process of phagocytosis. Its use has shown considerable decrease in the size of the tumor, especially in case of skin cancer. Apart from these, it reduces side effects of conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. It should be used along with other herbs such as turmeric, astragalus and Echinacea for better results.
Astragalus
This particular herb, native to China, boosts the immune system and enhances production of interferon from the body. It aids the immune system of the body to identify damaged or cancerous cells. This herb has been proved to be helpful against cancer as well as AIDS.
Blood Root
This herb has amazing anti-neoplastic properties because of which it helps in preventing cancer tumors. It inhibits the formation of such tumors and shrinks them.
Turmeric
Turmeric contains curcumin that has strong anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Hence, it has come to be widely recognized as an effective herbal treatment for colon cancer and polyps. It not only shrinks the tumors but also interrupts in the blood supply to tumors. Besides, it benefits the liver.
Chapparal
This particular herb boosts immune system, reduces tumor size and stops metastases. Its antioxidant and anti-microbial properties makes it a good herbal remedy for breast cancer. Since it has low toxicity levels, it can be used over long period of time.
Dang Shen Root
This particular herb increases the levels of white and red blood cells. So, patients who are undergoing conventional treatment for cancer such as chemotherapy can use it. This is because these treatments diminish the levels of either red blood cells or white blood cells.
Feverfew
Recent studies have shown its effectiveness in shrinking leukemia cells. The active ingredient in this herb namely parthenolide attacks the leukemia cells.
Goldenseal
This herb is widely known as a remedy for stomach cancer that is caused by Helicobacter pylori. These bacteria find shelter in stomach’s mucus lining and hide from the destructive gastric acids. This bacteria cause acid reflux, irritation, ulcers and in worst cases even cancer. Goldenseal has amazing anti-microbial properties and when used along with Bismuth mineral fights against stomach cancer.
Wheatgrass
This herb purifies the blood and also cleanses the liver and kidney. Apart from improving levels of oxygen in blood and tissue, it improves blood circulation in general. As is known that oxygen is the arch enemy of cancer cells, wheatgrass can be taken regularly to keep cancer at bay.
Pau D’Arco
It has strong antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-yeast properties that prevent cancer. It also contains quinoids that boost the immune system. Quinoids are also effective against blood cancer and lymph cancer.
Red Clover
It is anti-oestrogen and has been helpful in treating both breast cancer and prostate cancer. The active anti-oestrogen agent in this herb is genistein.
