Herbs That Can Prevent and Treat Breast Cancer
Millions have discovered the healing power of natural herbs for breast cancer, and are turning to herbs as a natural remedy for treating and preventing breast cancer.
Many scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of herbs and supplements in controlling the symptoms of breast cancer.
The following herbs are well-known for their effectiveness against breast cancer
1. Black Cohosh
Black cohosh (referred to by the European Medicines Agency, or EMEA, as Cimicifugae racemosae rhizome) is a member of the buttercup family, and is a perennial plant native to North America.
Women taking supplements of black cohosh may cut their risk of breast cancer by more than 50 per cent, suggests an epidemiological study from the United States.
The study, published in the International Journal of Cancer, needs significant support from future studies before it can be recommended as a breast cancer preventative. But the research could offer a new avenue of research for the herb most commonly used by women to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
In experiments with human breast cancer cells, scientists found that black cohosh appeared to trigger a “stress response” in the cells, causing them to commit suicide.
The findings, published in the journal Phytomedicine, suggest that the herb stands as a potential treatment for breast cancer.
The researchers found that compounds called triterpene glycosides, the main active component of black cohosh, appeared to change the structure of the cancer cells and push them toward committing suicide — a process known as programmed cell death. However, much more study is needed before that becomes a reality, the researchers say.
Read more on the benefits of Black Cohosh supplements for breast cancer »
2. Red Clover
Red clover is an old breast cancer remedy and is probably the world’s best-known anti-breast cancer herb says Matthew Wood, a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild in Minnetrista, Minnesota, and author of The Book of Herbal Wisdom. “It works to break down tumors and keep cancer from spreading. Like soy, red clover contains genistein.
Red clover and black cohosh are two herbs that are also phytoestrogens that work to reduce potentially dangerous levels of estrogen.
Red clover contains all four classes of phytoestrogens: lignans, coumestans, isoflavones, and resorcylic acid lactones. In a 2004 study, comparisons between red clover and prescription hormone replacement therapy showed that red clover (in contrast to HRT) did not increase mammographic breast density after one year of use.
3. Resveratrol
A compound found in red grapes and red wine suppresses abnormal cell formation that leads to most types of breast cancer, according to U.S. researchers. The compound, resveratrol, is sold in extract form as a dietary supplement.
Breast cancer forms through a multi-stage process that differs depending on the type of disease, a person’s genes, and other factors. However, it’s known that increased estrogen fuels many types of breast cancer.
Continue reading the article Resveratrol for preventing and fighting breast cancer »
4. Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract is being prescribed as a new way of lowering the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal women.
Women have been taking the extracts for three months in a clinical trial, with regular blood tests to spot changes in levels of hormones and other compounds which could indicate a reduction of risk.
Just how it works is not clear, but one theory is that it may lower levels of the hormone oestrogen, which is implicated in some breast cancers. The grape extract may work in a similar way to the breast cancer drugs known as aromatase inhibitors, which interfere with the body’s ability to produce estrogen.
5. Pomegranate Seed Oil
Pomegranate is one of the only plant sources of conjugated fatty acids and, in particular, punicic acid, which is known to have therapeutic and preventive properties. Punicic acid is abundant in pomegranate seed oil.
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On the heels of the discovery by Israeli researchers that pomegranate juice has antioxidant properties, another Israeli team has found that the fruit could have important implications for breast cancer treatment and estrogen replacement therapy.
The Technion-Israel Institute of Technology research team presented two studies at an international conference in June indicating that pomegranate seed oil triggers apoptosis — a self-destruct mechanism in breast cancer cells. Furthermore, pomegranate juice can be toxic to most estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells, while leaving normal breast cells largely unaffected. Estrogen is a hormone often prescribed to protect postmenopausal women against heart disease and osteoporosis. Read more on the benefits of Pomegranate Seed oil for breast cancer »
6. Turmeric
Centuries of anecdotal evidence and recent scientific research suggest that curcumin, an extract of Turmeric, has multiple disease-fighting features, including anti-tumor properties.
US researchers have found that curcumin, an active compound found in turmeric, helped stop the spread of breast cancer tumor cells to the lungs in mice.
Earlier research showed that curcumin, which acts as an antioxidant, can help prevent tumors from forming in the laboratory.
Turmeric, a popular Indian spice in curry dishes, may rid the body of cancer-causing toxins; block the estrogen receptor and COX-2 enzyme, which promotes breast cancer; and stop the growth of new blood vessels into tumors.
Earlier studies suggest that people who eat diets rich in turmeric have lower rates of breast cancer.
You can add it to vegetable or rice dishes, and just 1/4 to 1/3 of a teaspoon per day is all you need for tremendous positive effects. Read more on the benefits of Turmeric for breast cancer »
7. Garlic
It is well known that garlic can strengthen the immune system which is vitally important for fighting cancer.
The chemicals contained in its fragrant cloves help to activate the immune system. Garlic may also help your cells expel cancer-causing chemicals, and it can protect the genetic material of cells and improve the ability of certain enzymes to neutralize toxins. A typical dose of Kyolic garlic is two capsules three times a day.
Animal tests in Japan indicated that fresh garlic might be an effective weapon against a form of breast cancer.
Recent findings support a growing body of evidence that garlic works as an anti-carcinogen in both prevention and treatment, and that garlic and related foods play an important dietary role in the cancer process. For instance, scientists have correlated garlic intake with reduced nitrite levels in people and fewer deaths from stomach cancer are recorded.
Currently it is unknown specifically how garlic protects but it may relate to blocking formation of cancer-causing compounds, stopping their ability to form tumors or even inhibiting the growth of tumor cells.
Click on http://www.garlic.mistral.co.uk/cancer.htm to learn more.
8. Mushroom Extracts
Extracts from a mushroom used for centuries in Eastern Asian medicine may stop breast cancer cells from growing and could become a new weapon in the fight against breast cancer.
Laboratory tests using human breast cancer cells show the mushroom called Phellinus linteus has a marked anti-breast cancer effect, probably by blocking an enzyme called AKT. AKT is known to control signals that lead to breast cancer cell growth.
Additional studies have confirmed the ability of the Phellinus linteus extract to halt the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. Previous studies have shown the species to be effective against other forms of cancer cells, but up until now nobody knew how it worked.
Dr Daniel Sliva of the Methodist Research Institute in Indianapolis said the mushroom extract reduced uncontrolled growth of new cancer cells, suppressed their aggressive behavior and blocked new tumor-feeding blood vessels.
Read more on the benefits of mushroom extracts for breast cancer »
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