The herbal treatment of cancer, among other various ailments, has been taking place for five thousand years. Unlike modern radiation treatment, holistic or herbal supplementation does not have major side effects resulting in hair loss, loss of appetite or fatigue. It also focuses on the body as a whole unit, instead of targeting a small area of attack. Here is a brief introduction to the nature of herbal treatments and a few of the most highly recommended herbs.
Why Choose Herbal Treatment?
Though 80 percent of the world's population relies on only plants and natural remedies for healing, in the Western world, we depend on pharmaceutical medicine and surgery to alleviate most ailments. However, as the limitations of modern medicine are becoming more apparent, a large part of the population is choosing to supplement traditional treatment with holistic and herbal remedies. Many of these remedies are especially beneficial for those seeking support during or even as an alternative to cancer radiation treatments. Unlike chemotherapy, herbal treatment promises to remove the bad without harming the good.
Iscador (Mistletoe Extract)
In a study published by "Alternative Therapies" in June 2001, more than 35,000 participants reported that extract of mistletoe greatly improved survival rate for a wide variety of cancers, including breast cancer. Study participants who supplemented their conventional therapy with mistletoe extract survived 40 percent longer as opposed to those relying on conventional treatment alone. Shown to kill cancer cells while simultaneously stimulating the immune system, the extract of mistletoe is highly potent. Only the European variety of the plant is used in the treatment of cancer. It has been proven to reduce tumor size and increase survival rate of cancer patients. The three components of mistletoe responsible for it's effects are lectins, alkaloids, and viscotoxins.
Treatment usually consists of subcutaneous injections, three to seven times a week. This treatment may last anywhere from a few years to a few months, depending on the patient response.
Betula Alba (Birch)
First used by the indigenous peoples of North America in the treatment of diseases of the alimentary tract, birch has a long history of holistic healing purposes. It was used in the frontier days as a cure for cholera, and has been a recognized medicine of Russia since 1834. When applied externally, birch can be used to alleviate eczema.
By 1995, the betulinic acid extracted from birch was found to successfully exterminate human cancer cells implanted in mice. This was the work of Dr. John Pezzuto of the University of Illinois, and he stated the compound "worked better than the drug most commonly used in people to treat melanoma." This compound causes no side effects and is inexpensive.
Aloe Vera
Although most well known for the ability to miraculously reduce the pain and damage of burns, aloe vera has received much attention in recent years for the potential capacity to treat not only cancer, but also AIDS. Aloe contains a substance called acemannan, which is both immunostimulatory and aggressively antiviral.
This derivative has no side effects even when injected in high doses and no resulting toxicity.
Tags: side effects, cancer cells, extract mistletoe, herbal treatment, holistic herbal, survival rate
