Many herbs have anti-tumor properties that can be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. Cancer is too serious a condition to self medicate. There are no silver bullets, no miracle cures. However, there are many natural herbal treatments that fly below the radar of conventional medicine.

Barberry, is a markedly active inhibitor of COX-2 which may explain it's anti-tumor activity. Like Goldenseal it contains berberine and other supporting substances that trigger white blood cells to seek out bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even tumor cells. ¹

Birch bark Betulin and betulinic acid, both present in birch bark display some anticancer and anti-tumor properties.¹

Blessed Thistle According to research, all parts of the plant show some ability to combat tumors. The active constituent, cinicin, cools inflammation, fights bacteria and reduces fluid retention.¹

Bloodroot is often one of the main compounds found in herbal cancer salves, and was used most famously in the Hoxsey formulas. Many herbalists today still recommend it for removal of warts and skin tags.

Burdock root This traditional detoxifying herb has demonstrated antitumor effects in animal studies, in other research it has acted as an antimutagen. ²

Cat's Claw This traditional rain forest herb has been used to treat cancer and HIV with remarkable success, but little clinical data is available.

Chaparrel Certain phytochemicals in chaparral oppose free radical oxidation, quell spasms, and kill bacteria. The ligans destroy amoebas and fungi. A few studies have investigated the plant's use against cancer, but the results have been mixed. ¹

Codonopsis Root Chinese clinical studies show benefits to cancer patients treated with radiation therapy by delaying destruction of healthy cells.

Comfrey Some comfrey extracts have shown the potential to decrease tumor growth and extend the lives of lab rats with cancer. ¹

Dong quai increases production of white blood cells strengthening the immune system. This immune enhancement may come into play in cancer prevention. ¹

Flax contains lignans that help impede the body's use of estrogen to feed tumor growth in breast cancer.¹

Garlic lowers the incidence of cancer, particularly in the gastrointestinal system. ¹

Grapes Reseratrol, a compound found in grapes, possesses significant anti-inflammatory potential and displays some ability to lower blood fats, and inhibit certain tumors. ¹

Green tea Studies comparing green tea consumption to cancer rates in Japan and China have connected a far lower incidence of malignancies. Polphenols are muscular antioxidants that interfere with the creation of cancer-causing nitrites.

Red clover There is mostly antidotal evidence for red clover's use in cancer. The herb is an important component of both Hoxsey and essiac herbal cancer formulas. Flavinoids in red clover have been shown in some studies to inhibit carcinogenic substances. A poultice of red clover flowers can be applied in cancerous lesions on the skin.

Rosemary Laboratory studies suggest that rosemary contains compounds that prevent carcinogenic chemicals from binding to and inducing mutations in DNA.