This page is for potentially GOOD alternative therapies for cancer treatment. There are a million & 1 claims out there that say that they can cure cancer and whatnot, but most are unscientific, harmful, or purely fraudulent. That's why I'm compiling a list of herbs & alternative therapies here that either have some scientific basis of being potentially helpful, or are not proven to be helpful but are at least not detrimental to health if taken.
I'm using reputable sources that base their information on empirical evidence. Right now, I'm working my way through Memorial Sloan Kettering's herbs guide and selecting the best ones.
Disclaimer: I am not an oncologist or an expert on alternative medicine, and am not endorsing these treatments. I'm just doing some personal research and sharing what in my opinion seem to be the better options and directing people towards more information. (i.e. Please don't take an herb, drop dead, and then try to sue me claiming that I said it was okay to take it. I'm not guaranteeing or vouching for anything. Thanks). Also, please note that a lot of the time, substances that have an affect on cancer cells in the laboratory setting do not end up working in humans as treatments (therefore, I'd consider these to be worth looking into, but not necessarily a cure).
Best wishes to all of you. I hope you all find a solution that's right for you.
Alternative Therapies
- AHCC
- AHCC helped liver cancer patients do better in a clinical trial, but there were design flaws. Could potentially have anti-cancer effects and enhance immune system, but stronger research is needed. No known side effects.
- Agaricus
- In a clinical trial with patients with gynecological cancers, it increased natural killer cell activity and decreased chemo side effects. More research needed. May cause liver damage.
- Artemisia annua
- Prevents cancer cells from dividing in a lab, but no clinical trials have been done. Has typical side effects.
- Ashwagandha
- Enhances immune cells and kills cancer cells in laboratory studies. In animal studies, it increases effects of radiation. Unknown if this effect transfers over to human subjects, more research needed. Possible toxicity in animals, side effects unknown.
- Astragalus - Immunostimulent effects, may prevent immunosuppression during chemo. No known side effects.
- Avemar/Wheat germ extract
- In one clinical trial, it maintained an almost normal WBC count in patients during cancer treatments. In another clinical trial, the group taking wheat germ extract had better survival rates. Also shown to help improve quality of life in some cancer patients. Mild side effects.
- Isatis Root/Ban Lan Gen/Indirubin/Dyer's woad - No proof. Proven effects on cells but no clinical trials, unknown side effects.
- Scutellaria barbata - Proven to have effects on cells, but no clinical trials yet, no known side effects.
- HMB - Small clinical trial shows it might help with maintaining weight in cancer/HIV patients during treatment. No known side effects.
- Bilberry Fruit - Unproven in treating cancer, but has anticancer effects on cells in lab. No known side effects.
- Bovine Cartilage/Catrix - Small studies done in the 1980's suggested it to be effective, but more research must be done. Despite the positive findings found in these small studies, MSKCC's stance is that "There is no proof that bovine cartilage can treat cancer or HIV." Several non-life-threatening side effects.
- Bupleurum/Chai Hu - Causes apoptosis of cancer cells in a lab, but no clinical trials. Side effects if taken in large doses.
- Butchers Broom - Not for treating cancer, but may help with venous insufficiency and lymphadema post masectomy, although more research needs to be done on the latter.
- Calcium Glucarate/d-Glucaric acid salt - Slowed the development and reduced the number of tumors that rats developed after being exposed to carcinogens, but there have been no human clinical trials; therefore, efficacy is unknown. No known side effects.
- Calendula - Not for treating cancer, but as topical ointment may help reduce skin inflammation after radiation therapy according to clinical trials.
- Chinese Asparagus - Very little research done, no clinical trials, efficacy unknown. In laboratory setting, slows growth of isolated lung cancer and leukemia cells, and helps protect liver cells. No known side effects.
- Conjugated Linoleic Acid - In animal studies, shown to have antioxidant properties and slow cancer proliferation, but there aren't any human clinical trials. Lowers good & bad cholesterol too. Side effects include GI upset & fatigue.
- Huanglian - Possibly has anticancer activity, but no human clinical studies done yet. Has side effects & potential for toxicity.
- Coriolus Versicolor/PSK/PSP - Promising preliminary results. In patients with stomach tumors removed, when used in conjunction with chemotherapy, patients who took PSK had higher 5 year survival rates. Also improved survival rates in colon cancer patients post-surgery. No statistically significant benefit shown with breast cancer, liver cancer, or leukemias. Prevent immunosuppression in animal studies, but need human clinical trials to confirm. Possible toxicity, dark stools, dark fingernails.
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