Fight Cancer with These Herbs
Cancer is defined as an overgrowth of unhealthy or mutated cells. Conventional medical treatment for cancer includes chemotherapy and surgery. However, many natural remedies have been shown to fight cancer and protect the body from further free radical damage.
Check with your health care practitioner before trying herbal remedies, and remember that herbs and other natural therapies are meant to complement, not replace traditional health care.
Turmeric
Turmeric, an Indian culinary spice used in curries, is your first line of defense when it comes to fighting cancer. Turmeric has been studied extensively.
Its main active ingredient, curcumin has been found to actually stop the growth of cancerous cells, and act as a scavenger of free radicals.
Some forms of the herb appear to work better than others, and you should take pure curcumin extract where available. Curcumin has the added benefits of preventing inflammation in the body and helping the body adapt to stress. Fresh turmeric can be added to food, or found in herbal extract and tincture form.
Therapeutic dosage: Dried, powdered root: 1 – 3 g per day; standardized curcumin extract: 400 – 600 mg, 3 times per day; or fluid extract: 30 – 90 drops a day, split up into separate doses.
Acai
Acai berries have been prized for centuries by indigenous peoples of Central and South America for their many health benefits. They contain several chemicals which have antioxidant effects, meaning they help protect the body from the effects of oxidation and free radical damage.
One recent study by the University of Florida even showed that extracts of Acai killed up to 86 percent of cancer cells in laboratory tests.
Fresh acai juice is best. However, that can be hard to find outside of South America. It may also be found in frozen concentrate and liquid extract form.
Therapeutic dosage: 500mg acai extract supplement taken daily is considered the standard. Some acai advocates say that between 1,000 to 4,000mg of acai, or 4 ounces of puree, taken daily is ideal. Check with your health care provider for the amount that is right for you.
Alfalfa
After beginning a cancer-fighting regimen with herbs such as Acai and turmeric, the next step is fortifying the body with proper nutrition. Alfalfa is considered a restorative herb, meaning it helps strengthen the body nutritionally.
It aids in the assimilation of many nutrients, including calcium and iron, as well as protein and carbohydrates. It is sometimes used by herbalists to treat anemia, stimulate the appetite and combat fatigue.
It is specifically used for cancer patients as it helps protect the body against the effects of chemotherapy. It is also being studied as an adjunct treatment for HIV and other wasting diseases.
Fresh alfalfa sprouts can be added to salads and other dishes. Alfalfa extract can also be found in dried leaf and tincture, or liquid extract form.
Therapeutic dosage: Between 500 and 1,000 mg of alfalfa leaf extract, or 1-2 mL of alfalfa tincture daily.
Ginger
An unfortunate side effect of chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting. To combat these effects, take ginger root. It can be consumed as an herbal tea or taken in dried powder form. It stops nausea and vomiting, and has the added benefit of alleviating pain. For best results, use fresh ginger root from your local market.
Therapeutic dosage: One to two slices made into an herbal tea, three to four times daily, or as needed. For dried extract, take as much as 4 grams daily.
Soy
Soy has long been recognized for its health benefits. It is used as both food and medicine. The soy bean is naturally rich in both a quality protein and cancer-fighting antioxidants. It also provides a way for you to fight cancer without adding another pill or liquid supplement to your daily regimen.
Soy can be consumed as a milk substitute, while tempeh and tofu can be added to soups, stir-fries and other tasty dishes. Roasted soy nuts also make a healthy snack.
Therapeutic dosage:There are no therapeutic guidelines for soy, but many consume as much as a cup of soy foods daily without adverse effects. Some soy crops are grown with harmful pesticides however. So, look for organic products where available.
Considerations
All of the above steps are of no value if the cancer-causing elements in your life are not removed. If you smoke or use tobacco products (which have been proven to cause cancer) – stop immediately!
Eliminate stimulants and other harmful substances such as coffee, refined foods and alcohol, from your diet as much as possible. Begin to incorporate more chemical-free and eco-friendly products into your life.
As you do so, over time you will be able to let go of many of the chemical laden products that have been such as integral part of industrialized societies.
Source: http://www.altmedicinezone.com
