Panax ginseng (Ren Shen/Ginseng) is a forest herb that has
been used by Chinese medical practitioners for more than 2000 years. It
inhibits the growth of cancer by interfering with the DNA synthesis. Panax
ginseng contains several active constituents, which include saponins, essential
oils, phytosterols, amino acids, peptides, vitamins and minerals. Saponins
enhance the activity of the natural killer cells (NK cells), stimulate the
macrophages and promote the production of the antibodies. According to a report
published in the Free Radical Biology and Medicine, the anticancer effect of
Panax ginseng is mainly due to its ability to protect the body against free
radicals. Studies have shown that Panax ginseng decreases the incidence of
liver cancer by 75 per cent. Panax ginseng is used by the Chinese doctors to cancertreatment of the ovary and the stomach. Two Korean researchers, T.K. Yun and
S.Y. Choi, have reported that the incidence of cancer decreases significantly
after administration of Panax ginseng. Studies have revealed that Panax ginseng
regenerates the natural killer cells (NK cells), which are damaged by
chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) is used by Chinese
doctors to treat advanced cases of liver cancer. Swainsonine, a derivative of
Astragalus membranaceus, is known to prevent metastases. A study conducted at
the Peking Cancer Institute has recorded much higher survival rate in the
patients of advanced-stage liver cancer after administration of Astragalus
membranaceus along with conventional treatment as compared to those patients,
who were given the conventional treatment alone. Astragalus membranaceus
protects the liver from toxic effects of chemotherapy. Astragalus membranaceus
is often used in combination with Panax ginseng. According to research done in
Japan, the Ginseng-Astragalus combination (GAC) has a regulatory effect on the
natural killer cells (NK cells). Studies have also shown that GAC protects the
body from toxic side effects of chemotherapy and enhances the activity of the
immune cells. GAC is found to regulate the secretion of the stress hormone,
cortisol. Astragalus membranaceus is used in China along with another herb
called Ligustrum lucidum. A study conducted at Loma Linda University in
California has revealed that Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum,
enhance the immune-stimulating effect of each other when given together.
Amygdalin (Laetrile) has been used by Chinese physicians for
more than 3,500 years to treat various tumours. Ernest Krebs, a noted
biochemist, has confirmed the anticancer activity of Amygdalin, which is
derived from Fagopyrum esculentum, Panicum miliaceum and seeds of Prunasin
family (including Prunus armenica, Prunus cerasus, Prunus persica and Prunus
domestica). Amygdalin is one of the nitrilosides (natural cyanide-containing
substances), which consists of two molecules, i.e. benzaldehyde and
cyanide. In the body, these two
molecules split off in the liver by an enzyme, called beta-glucosidase to form
glucuronic acid. Another enzyme known as glucuronidase that is present in
higher concentrations in the cancerous cells breaks glucuronic acid to produce
cyanide that kills the cancerous cells. It is worth mentioning that cancerous
cells do not contain rhodanese (sulphur transferase), an enzyme, which is found
in normal cells of the body. Rhodanase protects normal cells of the body from
the killing effects of cyanide by converting free cyanide into a relatively
harmless substance known as thiocyanate.
Haelan 851 is a concentrated extract of Glycine max (Soya
bean). It was developed by scientists of Fujian Provincial Agricultural College
in China (Healing is spelt in old English as “Haelan” and 851 denotes the year
and month of its discovery, i.e. 1985 January). Haelan 851 is rich in zinc,
selenium, vitamins (A, B1, B2, B12, C, D, E and K), amino acids, isoflavones,
protease inhibitors, saponins and phytosterols. Studies have shown that
isoflavones found in Haelan 851 convert the cancerous cells to normal cells by
inducing cell differentiation. Ross Pelton, a nutritional biochemist, has
reported that many terminal cases of cancer get reversed after administration
of Haelan 851. Genistein, one of the isoflavones found in higher concentrations
in soya products, is known to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in the
cancerous cells. Genistein also prevents platelet aggregation by inhibiting
tyrosine kinase inhibitor enzyme. It is worth mentioning that platelet
aggregation promotes the spread of cancer. It has been observed that genistein
blocks the synthesis of DNA in the cancerous cells, thus inhibiting the growth
of cancer. Genistein also inhibits the growth of hormone-dependent cancers of
the breast and the prostate. Studies have revealed that genistein and other
isoflavones found in Haelan 851 prevent the growth of cancer by inhibiting
angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels). Haelan 851 has been found to
enhance the immunity of the body and prolong survival period in the liver and
the stomach cancer patients. A clinical study done by Chinese doctors on 239
patients of various cancers including those of the lung, stomach, oesophagus,
intestines and the lymphatic system, has revealed that Haelan 851 improves
quality of life and physical functioning by improving appetite, strengthening
the immune system of the body and reducing toxic effects of chemotherapy and
radiotherapy.
Fu Zhen therapy is used by Chinese doctors to treat cancer.
Fu Zhen formulation contains six herbs namely Atractylodes, Astragalus,
Codonopsis, Ganoderma, Ginseng and Ligustrum. Fu Zhen therapy strengthens
natural defences of the body against cancer by enhancing the activity of the
immune cells. According to a report published in the Journal of American
Medical Association, the survival period doubled in the patients suffering from
advanced stages of cancer after administration of Fu Zhen. Moreover, these
patients enjoyed a better quality of life. In another study conducted on 46
patients of the primary liver cancer who were treated with Fu Zhen therapy
along with conventional treatment, 29 survived for one year and 10 survived for
3 years, whereas in the control group of 30 patients who were given
conventional treatment alone, 6 survived for one year.
Ginkgo biloba (Yin Guo/ Bai Guo) contains Ginkgolide-B,
which protects the body against cancer. It inhibits the growth of cancer by
regulating the activity of the platelet-activating factor. A recent study done
on the workers of the nuclear power station at Chernobyl in Russia has shown
that Ginkgo biloba protects the DNA from damaging effects of nuclear radiation.
Rabdosia rubescens (Dong Ling Cao) is used in China to treat
cancer. A study conducted on 115 patients suffering from non-resectable
oesophageal cancer has shown that the survival period of these patients
prolonged by 300 per cent after administration of Rabdosia rubescens in
combination with the conventional treatment.
Liu Wei Di Huang is a Chinese herbal formulation used in the
treatment of cancer. It contains Rehmannia glutinosa, Corni Officinalis,
Dioscorea batatas, Poria cocos, Paeonia suffruticosa and Alismatis orientalis.
The Beijing Institute for Cancer Research has reported significant regression
of tumours in the patients of small-cell lung cancer after administration of
Liu Wei Di Huang. Studies have shown that Liu Wei Di Huang enhances the
therapeutic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui) is used by the Chinese
physicians to treat cancer of the cervix. The polysaccharide fraction of
Angelica Sinensis, known as “AR-4” possesses immunostimulating activities such
as induction of interferon production, stimulation of the immune cell
proliferation and enhancement of the antitumour activity of the immune cell.
Berberine is used by Chinese physicians to treat bone marrow
depression caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Berberine is isolated from
Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape root) and
Berberis vulgaris (Barberry).
Prunella vulgaris (Xia Ku Cao) also known as Wild Selfheal
contains rosmarinic acid, which is considered as one of the best antioxidants.
Chinese physicians have been using this herb to treat cancer.
Actinidia chinensis (Yang-t’ao) root is used by Chinese
physicians in the treatment of cancer. Actinidia chinensis contains a
polysaccharide known as “ACPS-R” that possesses immune-enhancing and anticancer
activities.
Polyporus umbellatus (Zhu Ling) is found to increase the
life span of cancer patients by enhancing the activity of the immune cells
against cancer.
In Longhua Hospital of Chinese Medicine, a study was
conducted on 60 patients suffering from advanced stages of squamous cell
carcinoma of the lung and the oral cavity. These patients were divided into two
groups. One group was treated with Chinese herbal medicines and the other with
chemotherapy. The average survival period in the group treated by Chinese herbal
medicines was 465 days, whereas, in the chemotherapy group, the average
survival period was 204 days. The survival rate after 1 year was 67 per cent in
the herbal group and 33 per cent in the chemotherapy group. After 2 years, the
survival rate was 13 per cent in the herbal group and 3 per cent in the
chemotherapy group.
Dr Chen-lian Pan has reported a very good survival rate in
300 patients suffering from the advanced stages of cancer after treatment with
the Chinese herbal medicines. The total effective rate of the herbal medicines
was 51 per cent with the longest survival period of 11 years.
Dr Minyi Chang, who treated more than 5,000 cancer patients
with the Chinese herbal medicines since 1982, has described the effectiveness
of 256 Chinese anticancer herbs in his book, Anticancer Medicinal Herbs.
Kampo is the Japanese version of the Chinese herbal
medicine. In Kampo, the herbs are used in combinations. There are more than 140
Kampo formulations, out of which the most effective anticancer combinations are
Juzen-taiho-to and Sho-saiko-to.
Juzen-taiho-to (JT-48) is a combination of Astragalus,
Angelica, Cinnamomum, Ginseng, Glycyrrhiza, Urtica, Paeonia and some other
herbs. Juzen-taiho-to enhances anticancer activity of the natural killer cells
(NK cells) and reduces toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Sho-saiko-to contains Bupleurum, Pinellia, Scutellaria,
Ziziphus jujuba, Panax ginseng, Glycyrrhiza and Zingiber. Sho-saiko-to enhances
activity of the macrophages and enables the patient to fight cancer
effectively.
