Herbs and Cancer: some personal reflections

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Over twenty years of consulting with people on the subject of herbs, I have observed the effects of herbs in many cases of cancer. The great majority of responsible herbalists claim no magic cure for cancer; and indeed, the very complex nature and causes of cancer would seem to preclude there being any one magic drug or herb. There is a wealth of research that confirms the use of many herbs as having the ability to modify some aspect of cancer, though the research is still in its infancy. Many herbs have been screened for anti-cancer potential, but no human trials have been carried out. This, of course, has much to do with the lack of funding for plant studies; and even then, only isolated (and patentable) plant constituents will be used; the whole herb will seldom be administered.
Much of the good independent research is being done in China and Japan, some in Europe, and U. S. doctors tend to be skeptical of research done overseas. An ironic situation, considering that the vast majority of research in this country is conducted or funded by the drug companies, which, to be fair, have to spend millions of dollars in research and development.
The following observations are of my own personal experiences with people. Some of the uses of the herbs that will be mentioned have been confirmed in scientific studies, but most of their uses will be based on anecdote, traditional herbalism, and Eclectic medical and other clinical reports. For most, there is no scientific research that has been done, and these observations must be absorbed by the reader as being strictly anecdotal information. Again, the idea being that herbs aid the body in coming into balance, and with cancer, as in any other disease, a "cure" is not promoted, only the aid that herbs can give in the ongoing process of maintaining health.
I feel that there may be some value to the experience I have had as being involved with a limited number of herbs used with an incredibly diverse group of people. I have always tried to confine my suggestions of herbs to aid people in their health to the least number of herbs to do the most good. I try to give those few herbs the widest field of action, and I myself don't recommend strict diets or a multitude of supplements. I have no system of medicine to uphold. Consequently I have suggested the same herbs in cancer to those with the purest vegetarian diets and those with pretty awful diets. I have sometimes seen the lousy diet folks do better than the purists. Of course I encourage a change to as good a diet as will be complied with, but then not everyone complies. On the other hand, since cancer has so many causative factors diet may play a large role in the healing of one person and not make a big difference in another case.
I believe two large factors in aiding the remission of cancer to be the maximizing of the immune system's potential and the spiritual/emotional work that needs to be done. Holistically, of course, these are completely intertwined, and a major shift in our self-work and self-image can have profound effects on the immune system. The great incidence of cancer in this country would tell us that there are many triggers in our environment. It takes multiple insults from plastics, pesticides, radiation, toxins, combined with genetics and other pre-disposing factors, to start cancer cells multiplying. Our bodies have a protective system that includes mind, spirit and the physical immune system, that has been compromised or that can no longer protect from the various assaults on the cells.
In breast cancer, for instance, there must be numerous factors involving toxins, hormones, genetics, etc, and yet just in my limited experience I can see a pattern among certain of the women. A good number seem to be stuck in emotionally-draining relationships with dominating partners. I have seen where they will be completely dominated by their partner through their cancer treatment as well; of course, with the supposed best intentions but dominated nonetheless. Does the immune system have lapses involving boundaries of the self when the person has given away too much of themselves? At the same time I don't buy what some people are told, "You have created this cancer, so you have to cure it". These processes are often unconscious, and I think there are few who wish would cancer on themselves. Its just our pitiful position as human beings to not always be aware of how these stresses affect us. But these people really will have to deal with some of the blocks to their spiritual/emotional healing. This is not to say this is what caused their cancer, but in some cases, just like the physical stressors I mentioned, it may be the proverbial straw.
My suggestions for herbs to aid in cancer have been an attempt to develop a program that involves a limited number of the best, high-quality whole herbs to cover the most ground. Of course these core herbs can be used along with other therapies and nutritional approaches. I often have people, however, who have requested a suggested program who have been through everything conventional medicine has to offer and who have not tried other alternative approaches; only these herbs. A number of them have in no other way radically changed their diet or life-style, making them pretty good cases for my own observations.
Using a limited amount of the best herbs has the advantage of bringing out the full potential of the herbs; both in terms of not mixing too many things into the therapeutic mix, but also in terms of the ability of the person to put their faith into them and to be able to tell what is actually of benefit. Too often I have seen practitioners suggest and people imbibing a huge number of herbs, pills and supplements, making compliance difficult and a difficulty in knowing what is doing what. At some point I belive the actions of some of the herbs is compromised.
I am also not a fan of the alternative approach that equates cancer therapy with endless rounds of de-toxifying herbs and remedies, such as daily coffee enemas. My feeling is that while de-toxifying herbs are important in aiding the body to deal with the effects and by-products of cancer, as a self-image, the "your body is a cess pool of toxins" approach may, in some cases, be a detriment to healing. I have seen a number of people who came out the other end of the chemo, surgery and radiation approach only to be sent on a joyless round of enemas, swallowing handfuls of pills and wandering from alternative to alternative, not putting too much faith in any one aid. I would rather project the image of the herbs "building" the immune system and general health and providing balance to the person. In fact, I have seen cases where these drastic approaches can actually weaken the body, and I believe that loading the body down with high doses of handfuls of supplements may be more than the body can process in a weakened state.
My belief is that the immune system holds the key to keeping cancer in check. There are cancer researchers that deny that the immune system actually has a great role in the onset or amelioration of cancer. It is my belief that certain immune-building herbs can act as preventatives and even keep cancer in check. I have seen people go into remission with herbs and I have also seen people whose "numbers" are not in the acceptable range and may even be walking around with metastasized tumors who are nonetheless outliving expectations and statistics and who feel pretty darn good. I believe the herbs in these cases to be an aid in keeping the cancer in check and to modify some of the effects of the cancer to improve overall well-being. The herbs I have suggested for the immune system are not so much along the lines of immune stimulants, like Echinacea, although it has a role as well, but the herbs that are known to build immune reserves. The premier herb along these lines, for me, is the Maitake mushroom (Grifolia frondosa). A good deal of research in Japan and China and elsewhere has isolated numerous anti-cancer and anti-tumor compounds in the mushroom, probably more than in any other single herb. For long, it was believed that the D-Fraction in Maitake was most responsible for its effects on the immune system, and most products sold have been boosted in this constituent. But the latest research has shown, as in so many other cases, that it is a variety of constituents that work together to provide the benefits of Maitake, making the whole herb the best way to obtain its full benefits. I myself harvest the fresh Maitake, or Hen of the Woods as its known in the Ozarks, to make the extract. Maitake is a perfectly edible mushroom, and its benefits can be obtained by adding it to the diet as well. It is not known to have any toxicity.
The Shiitake and Turkey Tail mushroom and Astragalus root are other immune reserve builders that go into the IMMUNAID Formula that we provide. All have been shown to build immune reserves and to have liver-protectant properties as well. This combination of effects can be an aid to those who are undergoing chemotherapy. There are studies that show that Maitake, for instance, can actually increase the effectiveness of some forms of chemotherapy while reducing the side-effects. Of course, the way in which chemo. can devastate the immune system make these herbs, in my mind, invaluable as a support. In fact they may provide a wonderful tool for complimentary therapies, as it could well be the weakening of the immune system, while trying to kill the cancer that can cause the cancer to return. The liver-protectant effects of these herbs are valuable in protecting the liver from the harmful effects of these chemical agents, and I believe go a long way in maintaining overall health and well-being. Such herbs as Milk Thistle and Dandelion root can be considered as well.
While maintaining that endless rounds of various forms of de-toxification may actually weaken the body's defenses, I believe that aiding the body's ability to release toxins can be achieved with mild herbal tonics, often called "blood purifiers" in herbal literature. These herbs are known for their ability to pull toxins from the body's tissues and aid its channels of eliminations (kidneys, liver, colon, lymph, skin, etc.) in removing them. Such herbs include Burdock, Red Clover, Yellow Dock, Blue Flag, and Dandelion. A blood-purifying formula with a long history as an aid in cancer is the Essiac Formula (Sheep Sorrel, Burdock, Slippery Elm, Turkey Rhubarb; see SHEEP SORREL FORMULA). The Eclectics credited Sheep Sorrel as being able to kill cancer cells, with the other herbs moving toxins and protecting the tissues.
The lymph glands being the body's own system for de-toxification, herbs that help the lymph system are, in my mind, a key aid in cancer. This is especially the case in breast cancer, where lymph tissue is prevalent, and of course lymphatic cancer. Such herbs include Yellow Dock, Violet, Red Root, Blue Flag and Cleavers. Poke Root is probably the strongest of these, but must be used with a strict knowledge of the dosage.
To build up the body's supply of healthy red cells (often a problem after chemo., but also building strength in general), I have found Yellow Dock and Nettles to be invaluable. I have seen excellent results in Leukemia using Maitake, Yellow Dock and Red Root.
I value Thuja for its traditional usage of dealing with abnormal cell growths s well as its effects on the immune system; especially for skin cancers (ext. and int.) and growths (cysts and tumors) in more superficial tissues (as opposed to those of deep organs). I mentioned that Echinacea isn't as valuable as an immune agent when the immune system reserves are compromised, but used along with the deeper immune tonics can be valuable, both for infections and for the over-all sense of well-being it promotes. The Eclectics promoted its use as a powerful cleanser in dealing with the odor of cancer and the septic side-effects of cancer.
For women at risk for breast and cancers of the female organs, especially with a history of estrogen dominance (fibro-cystic breast, fibroids, etc.) and use of birth control, the hormone balancing herbs that promote progesterone balance can be used as a preventative measure. These include Chaste Berry (Vitex), False Unicorn, Black Haw and Wild Yam. Such herbs as Black Cohosh and other more estrogenic herbs can be used for symptom relief, or as a smaller part of a formula for hormone balance. Herbalists generally hold to the theory that synthetic progesterone in birth control pills actually block the benefits of progesterone in the body. Conversely, it is believed that the so-called estrogenic herbs (which do not actually contain estrogen, only promoting the body's own production) actually block harmful forms of estrogen that bind to receptor sites in the body. Another general preventative measure may be found in the strongly anti-oxidant herbs. Two of the strongest are Rosemary and Watercress.
Watercress has been shown to be one of the strongest, and to be particularly protective of lung tissue. It has the same constituent as broccoli sprouts in a very concentrated form.
There are other herbs that have been traditionally used as an aid in specific forms of cancer and a future article will deal with some of these. It may seem that I have digressed quite a bit from my theory of using the least amount of herbs to do the most good, and yet based on these parameters a person could choose a single herb from the list of actions I have set forth and do well. I have seen people do well with Maitake, Sheep Sorrel Formula and one or two of the lymph and blood-purifying herbs (Yellow Dock and Violet being my personal choice).
Even more than the amount of herbs one uses, I would place a very large emphasis on the quality of herbs one is using. I also maintain that the use of the herb in its whole form is both safer and more effective than extracted constituents or "boosted" herb products. The freshness of the herbs is key, and is the reason I am a big promoter of the fresh herb tinctures (tinctures produced from the fresh or very fresh-dried herb) as being of a consistent quality and potency and easily assimilable. I would suggest looking for tincture-makers who are actually harvesting their own herbs and are close to the process. If using bulk herbs, look for the highest quality organic herbs. With the prevalence of poor-quality, pesticided and fumigated herbs on the market this may not be as easy as it sounds. Check your sources. Again, I would then recommend teas over capsuled herbs as being both easier to assimilate and easier to inspect for quality.
In conclusion, this again is not an article endorsing herbs as a cancer cure, but I can say from my own experience that using certain high-quality herbs has been of benefit in all the cases of cancer I have observed in either promoting remission or improving the body's ability to deal with cancer and improving the quality of life.

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