There are many nourishing herbs that have anti-tumor properties which can and should be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. Alfalfa and red clover are two of my favorites. Oils such as evening primrose that are high in GLA have also shown great promise in reducing cancers, especially breast cancers. Simple healthy lifestyle choices like drinking more green tea, increasing exercise, and most importantly stopping smoking will do a great deal to increase your odds of beating cancer. Remember, cancer is too serious a condition to self medicate. There are no silver bullets, and no miracle cures. However, there are many natural herbal treatments that fly below the radar of conventional medicine, that deserve more study and show great promise.

Herbs Used for Cancer Prevention

Astragalus * Barberry, Common * Barley Grass * Birch * Bladderwrack * Blessed Thistle * Bloodroot * Burdock * Cat's Claw * Celandine * Codonopsis * Comfrey * Coptis * Cranberry * Dong Quai * Evening Primrose * Flax * Garlic * Grapes * Holy Basil * Jiaogulan * Maitake mushroom * Mistletoe * Noni * Parsley * Pau D' Arco * Poke Root * Red Clover * Sheep Sorrel * Tea * Turmeric * White Peony *

Agaricus blazei mushroom For: Cancer
Profile	Agaricus blazei (Himematsutake) extract, one of the most popular complementary and alternative medicines among Japanese cancer patients. Although several other factors cannot be completely ruled out as the causes of liver damage, a strong causal relationship between the Agaricus blazei extract and liver damage was suggested and, at least, taking the Agaricus blazei extract made the clinical decision-making process much more complicated. Mukai H, Watanabe T, Ando M, Katsumata N.. An alternative medicine, Agaricus blazei, may have induced severe hepatic dysfunction in cancer patients.. (Epub 2006 Nov 14), Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2006 Dec;36(12):808-10.

Alfalfa For: Cancer
Profile	Alfalfa has important uses in counteracting the effects of cancer chemotherapy. Alfalfa extracts may increase the production of these white cells by as much as 60 percent. Studies in animals have found that alfalfa completely reverses immune depression caused by treatment with the cancer chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, Neosar). Although alfalfa suppresses the action of macrophages (see above), it does not inhibit the activity of any of the immune cells the body needs during the first stages of infection. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Andrographis For: Cancer
Profile	It has been shown that if a cancer cell can be made to mature (or differentiate), it will not have the ability to grow out of control. Results of a study have demonstrated that andrographis has potent cell-differentiation-inducing activity on leukemia cells. Moreover, extracts from andrographis leaves are cytotoxic (cell-killing) against cancer cells. Japanese researchers have reported that andrographis stops stomach cancer cells from multiplying. Other studies have found positive results with skin cancer, prostate and breast cancer cells, and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Barley Grass For: Nutrition anti-ageing, anti-mutation
Profile	In addition to high nutrient content, cereal grasses offer unique digestive enzymes that help to resolve indigestible and toxic substances in food. Also present is the anti-oxidant enzyme super-oxide dismutase (SOD) and the special fraction P4D1. Both of these substances slow cellular deterioration and mutation and are therefor useful in the treatment of degenerative disease and in the reversal of ageing.. Paul Pitchford. Healing with whole foods. (2002), North Atlantic Books

Birch bark For: Anti-tumor properties
Profile	Betulin and betulinic acid, both present in birch bark display some anticancer and anti-tumor properties. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Blessed Thistle For: Combat tumors
Profile	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 James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Blessed Thistle For: Cancer
Profile	A plant whose leaves, stems, and flowers have been used in some cultures to treat certain medical problems. Blessed thistle may have anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. The scientific name is Cnicus benedictus. Also called cardin, holy thistle, spotted thistle, and St. Benedict's thistle. NIH. Definition of Blessed Thistle. (), National Cancer Institute

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

Brazilian Ginseng For: Tumor prevents
Profile	The root of Pfaffia contains about 11% saponins. These saponins include a group of novel chemicals called pfaffosides as well as pfaffic acids, glycosides, and nortriperpenes. These saponins have clinically demonstrated the ability to inhibit cultured tumor cell melanomas and help to regulate blood sugar levels (Takumoto et al. 1983; Nishimoto 1984). The pfaffosides and pfaffic acid derivatives in Pfaffia have been patented as antitumor compounds in two Japanese patents

Burdock root For: Cancer
Profile	This traditional detoxifying herb has demonstrated antitumor effects in animal studies, in other research it has acted as an antimutagen. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

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

Chaparrel For: Cancer
Profile	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. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

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

Coffee For: Prostate Cancer
Profile	"Coffee has effects on insulin and glucose metabolism as well as sex hormone levels, all of which play a role in prostate cancer. It was plausible that there may be an association between coffee and prostate cancer. " said Kathryn M. Wilson, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow at the Channing Laboratory, Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health. Kathryn M. Wilson, Ph.D. Coffee Consumption Associated with Reduced Risk of Advanced Prostate Cancer. (December 7, 2009), AACR Press Releases

Comfrey extract For: Decrease tumor growth
Profile	Some comfrey extracts have shown the potential to decrease tumor growth and extend the lives of lab rats with cancer. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Damiana For: Offset the effects of chemotherapy
Profile	Tonic for fatigue, general debility, increase energy levels for people that are suffering chronic diseases like cancer. Helps offset the effects of chemotherapy.

Dong quai For: Cancer prevention
Profile	Dong quai increases production of white blood cells strengthening the immune system. This immune enhancement may come into play in cancer prevention. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Evening Primrose For: Breast Cancer
Profile	Scientists have pinpointed how evening primrose oil fights breast tumours. A substance in the oil called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) that acts on the same receptor in tumours as the powerful breast cancer drug Herceptin. Unlike Herceptin, which blocks the Her-2/neu receptor, GLA interferes with the gene carrying the DNA code needed to make the receptor work. Dr Javier Menendez (quoted from). Plant oil acts like cancer drug. (2005-11-02), BBC News

Flax For: Breast cancer
Profile	Flax contains lignans that help impede the body's use of estrogen to feed tumor growth in breast cancer. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Garlic For: Cancer prevention
Profile	Garlic lowers the incidence of cancer, particularly in the gastrointestinal system James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Goldenseal (Berberine) For: Bacteria, fungi
Profile	Berberine and other supporting substances in goldenseal trigger white blood cells to seek out bacteria, viruses, fungi, and even tumor cells.

Grapes (reseratrol) For: Cancer prevention
Profile	Reseratrol, a compound found in grapes, possesses significant anti-inflammatory potential and displays some ability to lower blood fats, and inhibit certain tumors.

Green tea For: Cancer
Profile	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.

Holy Basil For: Stress reduction
Profile	Several animal studies back holy basil as effective at reducing stress by increasing adrenaline and noradrenaline and decreasing serotonin. Holy basil is also being investigated as an aid in breast cancer treatment. . Healing Herbs. (Jun 2007), Prevention Magazine

Holy Basil For: Anti-inflammatory- Arthritis and Cancer preventive
Profile	Ocimum sanctum, holy basil, contains the phytonutrient ursolic acid which is specifically recognized for its COX-2 inhibitory effects. A Dartmouth Medical School study confirmed that derivatives of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid possessed potential anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventing activity related to their inhibition of COX-2. We believe this herb must be included in everyone's program of preventive medicine. Thomas M. Newmark, Beyond Aspirin (2000)

Hop extracts For: irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease
Profile	Hop extracts relax smooth muscle, especially that of the digestive tract. Hops are therefore used in combination with other herbs to treat such disorders as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and nervous stomach. Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Kelp For: Cancer and fibrocystic breasts
Profile	Because kelp decreases transit time, or the time it takes food to get from one end of the digestive system to the other, its use lowers the risk that estrogens present in the stool will be absorbed back into the bloodstream. Lowered estrogen levels are associated with lower rates of cancer, including breast and colorectal cancer, and help ease fibrocystic breast disease. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Kudzu For: Breast Cancer
Profile	Kudzu contains an estrogenlike compound called daidzein. Daidzein binds to cells that ordinarily would be activated by estrogen, locking out estrogen from activator sites on breast cancer cells, but without stimulating the cancer cells to reproduce. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Maitake mushroom For: Cancer
Profile	Maitake is a proven cancer fighter. In laboratory tests, powdered maitake increased the activity of three types of immune cell--macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cells--by 140, 186, and 160 percent, respectively. The anticancer compound in maitake, sold commercially as the maitake D-fraction, has shown positive results in American studies on breast and colorectal cancer. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Mistletoe For: Cancer, Immune System
Profile	The lectins, peptides, and polysaccharides in mistletoe have shown immune-stimulating activity in humans when extracts are given by injection. Numerous clinical trials have found that injections of mistletoe extract are beneficial for treating cancer of various organs. There is no evidence that giving mistletoe orally in teas would benefit those with cancer. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Myrica_faya.jpg For: Cancer prevention
Profile	Barberry, as a markedly active inhibitor of COX-2 may explain it's anti-tumor activity.

Noni For: Cardiovascular/Cancer
Profile	In laboratory research, noni has shown antioxidant, immune-stimulating, and tumor-fighting properties. These results suggest that noni may warrant further study for conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, noni has not been well studied in people for any health condition. . Noni (Herbs at a Glance. (June 6, 2008), NCCAM

Parsley For: Tumors
Profile	The bruised leaves, applied externally are used by herbalists, alone or with celandine, comfrey and red clover to dispel tumors. Adele Dawson, Herbs: Partners in Life (2000)

Red clover For: Foklore cancer
Profile	Mostly anecdotal evidence for use in cancer. Included in both Hoxsey and essiac herbal 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.

Rooibos For: Cancer fighting antioxidents
Profile	Rooibos is a good source of antioxidants and is the only known source of a potent antioxidant aspalathin, which could play a role in combating several lifestyle diseases. Rooibos has proven cancer-fighting properties in animal research studies. Japanese research into the effects of oligosaccharides, also found in Rooibos, indicates that these compounds may aid the immune system in fighting viral infections. . Health benefits of rooibos. (2005-2006), South African Rooibos Council

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

Cancer Prevention Information

• Kidney :
  Herbs used for kidney infection and kidney stone treatment are often diuretic, increasing the flow of urine to wash out toxins.
• Liver :
  Milk thistle has been used for liver ailments for thousands of years
• General Health Tonics :
  Just like the fruits, vegetables and grains that sustain our lives, these herbs nourish, protect and strengthen the whole body.
• Immune System :
  Botanical and herbal medicines have a dual mode of action against infectious diseases - they kill germs and viruses, and they stimulate the body's own defenses by strengthening the immune system.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine :