Herbs for Cancer Treatment

Despite all the advances in medicine and drugs, many doctors, scientists and researchers are turning back to nature. Herbs have regained a place in modern medicine, especially in the use of cancer treatment. However, as with any medicine, natural or traditional, make sure you check with your oncologist and primary care physician before introducing a new addition to your treatment plan. Some herbs, whether drank as a tea or taken in pill form, can interfere with different medications.

Oldenlandia

• A popular herb in China, extracts of oldenlandia have been part of treating viral infections, snake bites and most recently, cancers of the colon, stomach and esophagus. Taken as a pill, tea or as a liquid extract, Oldenlandia is said to inhibit tumor growth.

Cleavers

• Deemed the best lymphatic tonic by alternative medicine practitioners, a tonic of cleavers has been used for shrinking tumors and lymphatic drainage, especially with patients whose cancers have reached the lymph nodes. In raw form, it can also be added to soups.

Red Clover

• Long used to combat menopause, red clover has an isoflavone called genistein that has shown promise both preventing new and treating existing malignant tumors, especially in estrogen-dependent breast cancer as well as prostate cancer. Genistein works by blocking blood vessels on tumors, which stops them from growing. Red clover is found in medicinal teas, tablets, capsules and as a liquid extract.