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Non-Toxic Herbs for Cancer

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, following heart disease. The National Cancer Institute states that although there has been an overall decrease in cancer rates, pancreatic and liver cancers have continued to rise. There have been many studies conducted to identify non-toxic herbs that may prevent or treat cancer.

  1. Asian Ginseng

    • Many of the studies on Asian ginseng involved using a combination of herbs, so they do not conclude whether it alone can be used to treat ailments. However, research suggests that Asian ginseng may be beneficial for cardiovascular health, immune-system health, mental performance, type-2 diabetes, stress relief, well being, Alzheimer's Disease, fertility, physical endurance and menopausal symptoms. There have been many studies that show a correlation between the herb and a reduction in the growth of tumors, but more research is needed. In one study cited by the University of Maryland Medical Center, subjects who ingested the ginseng had lower risk of liver, pancreatic, stomach, ovarian and lung cancers. The study involved 4,634 people over the course of five years. It did not, however, account for such factors as eating habits.

    Garlic

    • Historically used as both a food and a medicine, garlic is not only rich in antioxidants but it has also been found in a variety of studies to limit or treat cardiovascular disease, fungal conditions and the common cold. One of the biggest areas of treatment that have been examined is in cancer. The Iowa Women's Health Study concluded that women who regularly ate garlic, vegetables and fruits had a 31% reduced risk for developing colon cancer. The analysis involved 41,000 middle-aged women over a long period of time. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, a number of other studies suggest that diets that include garlic may protect against prostate, laryngeal (throat) and breast cancers; improve immune-system functions for those with liver or pancreatic cancer; and limit the effects of chemotherapy such as lack of appetite and fatigue.

    Green Tea

    • Traditionally used as medicine throughout many Asian countries, green tea is both commonly consumed and widely studied. It has been shown to reduce or treat such ailments as high cholesterol, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease), liver disease and diabetes. There have been studies conducted on the effects of green tea on ovarian, bladder, breast, lung, pancreatic, esophageal, skin, prostate and stomach cancer. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, its effects on breast cancer are one of the most tested and while the studies had different conclusions, one that remained constant was that drinking green tea seems to limit the development or growth of breast cancer for women under 50 years old (or pre-menopausal).

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