Medicinal Plants for Cancer Treatment and Free On-line Cancer Information Service

Some of the plants which are having anti-cancerous properties are listed below:

1. May Apple plant:

Biological name : Podophyllum peltatum

A May apple. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

May Apple plant produces podophyllotoxin, which is used for treating testicular cancers.

2. Taxus

Biological name : Taxus brevifolia and Taxus baccata

English: Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’ Polski: Cis pospolity odm. Repandens (Taxus baccata ‘Repandens’) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Taxols from these plants are effective against ovarian cancers.

3. Soya

Biological name : Foeniculum vulgare

The compound genistein present in soya weakens the ability of cancer cells to grow faster so that they starve and die.

Other plants like Allium sativum, Withania somnifera, Trichossanthus dioca (Parval) are also the useful plants in the treatment of cancer.

Some other formulations which are developed with herbs like Sariva, Amrita, Bhallataka are effective in treating uterine cancer, cervical cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, leukaemia, breast cancer and brain tumours.

For the prevention of cancer, a holistic approach is to use

• Carotene or vitamin A, E, C, B-complex and iron
• Selenium in everyday vegetables and fruits
• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Garlic (selenium source)
• Onion
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Amla
• Lemon
• Orange
• Papaya
• Mangoes
• Dark green vegetables
• Custard Apple
• Graviola

Prophylectics against cancer:

• Use of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and tomatoes in food
• Use of coloured fruits and vegetables
• Use of vitamins A,C,E and unsaturated fatty acids like omega acids
• Use of mustard oil and mustard saag
• Use of garlic and turmeric

To know more about your queries on cancer you can find Free On-line Cancer Information Service below

The Sitaram Bhartiya Institute of Science and Research, located in New Delhi has started a free on-line information service on all aspects of cancer. To get any information regarding cancer, one has to dial 6867435 on weekdays, between 9 am and 5 pm. A trained person on the line will answer the queries in English or Hindi. The information can also be sent by mail or e-mail on request free of charge.The e-mail address is [email protected]

The Cancer Information Service provides information on:

• The nature of cancer
• Ways to detect it early
• Lifestyles to adopt to prevent some cancers
• Tests and techniques to diagnose cancer
• Location and the nearest facility offering treatment of cancer
• Management of side-effects
• Availability of medicines and disposables
• Psychological and social support groups in Delhi
• Rehabilitation services