Of all the conditions which the herbalist/holistic health care practitioner may face in the treatment of our patients, cancer represents the biggest challenge of our knowledge and skills. The array of treatment modalities and herbal tools we have at our disposal is daunting to the average person. The Holistic treatment of Cancer is best undertaken by the experienced TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner and or advanced herbalist.  Determining the effectiveness of complimentary and alternative medicine must be considered within a long-term perspective, However; survival rates are commonly measured in 5- to 10-year intervals, while a "cure" is considered when a cancer patient has been cancer-free for seven years after the cessation of treatment. However, The issues surrounding patient health and Cancer survival are not as simple as the statistics suggest. While some rapidly growing forms of cancer may develop within ten days to two weeks of cancer cell implantation (such as malignant melanoma), other slower-growing tumors (such as prostate cancer) may take up to ten years to make themselves Known. To use the term "cured" for a patient who remains cancer-free after seven years is both unrealistic and arbitrary, given the unpredictability of cancer. For the purposes of this article we will instead use the term “Cancer Survivor” in reference to those patient’s who appear to be successfully fighting and or have beaten this horrible and sometimes fatal disease.

Aside from whether or not a cancer survivor is presently ‘cancer-free’, we as holistic practitioners must also consider the general state of health of the patient, which oncology tends to disregard unless the patient is to weak to continue conventional therapies. To be fair and honest the foremost concern of the oncologist is whether malignancies have redeveloped, not whether conditions exist which may lead to the development  of cellular processes which could ultimately result to loss of cellular normalcy (cancerous  Growth). This is one of the most appropriate and effective roles the TCM doctor/herbalist can fulfill.  The holistic practitioner or herbalist can help the patient reestablish an healthy balance and to unravel the complex causes inherent in the body which can, if left untreated, lead to the development of cancer. In order to establish which options are best for your unique health care needs please contact your professional care provider or call East West Center for Natural Medicine at 574-210-4982.

Another appropriate role for the holistic practitioner and advanced herbalists is in the use of herbs as a complimentary therapy to ongoing conventional medical treatment of an existing cancer. This can be addressed using any or all of three main approaches:

1) Offsetting or reducing the damaging side-effects of radiation and chemotherapy.

2) To benefit the patient’s immune system, which conventional medicine suppresses with its powerful agents.

3) To aid in tumor reduction itself, potentially shortening the length of time the patient needs to receive radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Listed below are ten herbs from the Chinese and Western herbal traditions which address this third treatment approach--tumor reduction itself. Please understand that different forms of cancer are treated with different substances, and each individual patient may require a entirely different herbs/treatment principles depending on the patient’s unique physical history and condition of their over all health.  Anti-neoplastic (anti - cancer) herb choices must be chosen from appropriate categories of action. There are a great many herbs that have anti - neoplastic actions in the Chinese and Western pharmacopeia, the 10 most commonly known where chosen for this article.

Chinese Herbs:

Common Name: Oldenlandia
Chinese Name: Bai Hua She She Cao
Latin: Herba Hedyotidis Diffusae/Oldenlandia Diffusae  
Pharmaceutical Action(s):

1. Anti-tumor - Inhibits the mitotic process of tumor cells and causes degeneration as well as necrosis of tumor cells. It encourages tumor encapsulation making tumor growth difficult.

2. Used in treatment of stomach, esophageal and colon cancer. It is used for acute lymphocytic, granulocytic. monocytic and chronic chronic granulocytic leukemia.

3. Increases the function of reticulo-endothelial system and encourages phagocytosis (cells that eat foreign substances). It also increases the production of anti bodies and white blood cells that fight disease in the body.

4. Has a anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory effect on the body. It relieves pain and has a calming effect and helps to induce sleep. These problems are very common in patients with cancer.

Note: DO Not use if you are Pregnant. Consult your professional health care professional before use.

Common Name: Selaginaella
Chinese Name: Shi Shang Bai
Latin: Herba Selaginellae Doederleinii   
Pharmaceutical Action(s):
 

1. Helpful in treatment of lung and throat cancer, and malignant hydatidiform moles.  50% of the patients treated with this herb experience remission. It is Commonly used in China for the treatment of smaller body tumors of the nose, throat, lung and liver. When used in conjunction with chemotherapy and radiation it is shown to accelerate cancer remission.

Note: Possible side effects include hair loss, decreased appetite and general body aches. Large amounts can cause coma, muscle spasms, increased heart rate, and difficulty breathing. Consult your health care professional before use in order to avoid possible health complications. 

Common Name: Sophora Root
Chinese Name: Shan Dou Gen
Latin: Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis  
Pharmaceutical Action(s):

1. Anti-tumor
2. Used in treatment of acute lymphocytic/granulocytic leukemia.
3. Used for cancers of the cervix, stomach and liver.

Note: May cause stomach upset and diarrhea if you have GI problems. Consult your health care professional before use in order to avoid possible health complications. 

Common Name: Zedoania
Chinese Name: E Zhu
Latin: Rhizoma Curcumae Ezhu  
Pharmaceutical Action(s):

1. Anti-cancer. Often used for cervical cancer. often combined with San Leng (Rhizoma Sparganii Stoloniferi). It destroys tumor cells thru necrosis (cell death), breakdown of tumor cell walls, shedding and reduction of tumor size.
2. In China, 80 cases of cervical cancer patients were treated with a solution of E Zhu, which was injected directly into the tumor sites. 30 patients were completely cured, while 15 were found to have a 50% size reduction.
3. Improves micro circulation which is often a problem with cancer patients.
4. Anti-bacterial. It inhibits secondary bacterial infection which is often a problem with cancer patients.
5. Used for cramping and gas which is often a side effect of conventional cancer treatments.
6. Helps to increase white blood cell production (fights foreign substances in the body) and enhances phagocytosis and boost immunity.

Note:  Consult your health care professional before use in order to avoid possible health complications.

Common Name: Rhubarb Root and Rhizome
Chinese Name: Da Huang
Latin: Radix et Rhizoma Rhei
 
Anti-tumor. When Injected subcutaneously had a killing effect on neoplastic granulomas in mice. It Inhibits the growth of melanoma, breast tumor cells and ascitic hepatic (liver) carcinomas and lympho-sarcoma (lymphatic cancers) in humans via the actions of emodin (a  and rhein, two primary chemical constituents found in Da Huang.

Note: Over use of this herb may cause violent bouts of diarrhea. Consult your health care professional before use in order to avoid possible health complications.

Western Herbs:

Common Name: Red Clover
Latin: Flos Trifolium pratense
Phamaceutical Action(s):
 
 Red Clover contains "isoflavonoid" which is a food chemical that helps to limit oxidative damage to the body. It contains compounds such as genistein, which has slight estrogen properties. Various laboratory studies show that these isoflavones may be used as a Alterative or blood cleanser and combat malignant tumors, especially of the breast, prostate, lymph and lung cancers.

Note: Do not use if you have a bleeding disorder. Some researchers feel that it should not be used if you have a estrogen dependant cancer. Do not use if you are pregnant or using oral contraceptives. Do not  use if you are taking blood thinners. Consult your health care professional before use in order to avoid possible health complications.

Common Name: Pau D’Arco or Lapacho or Taheebo
Latin: Tabebuia impestiginosa
Pharmaceutical Action(s):

1.  Pau D' Arco contains two primary compounds known as "naphthaquinones".  These compounds have anti-cancer and anti-tumor properties. This being said there is a controversy about this herb. The effective dosage is considered to be toxic by many health care professionals. Pau D’Arco is commonly used for a wide range of carcinomas, including leukemia in Central and South America with good results.
2. Anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and antifungal.