As many as 60 percent of all cancer patients seek help from herbs and other alternative therapies. It's easy to see why. Certain herbal remedies appear to work -- after all, the potent anticancer drug taxol comes from the bark of the yew tree -- and compared with nauseating, painful, expensive, and sometimes ineffective conventional treatments, taking herbs or drinking medicinal teas may seem like an attractive option.

But remember that the Food and Drug Administration doesn't require testing for herbs and supplements as it does for conventional drugs, so it always pays to be cautious in the largely unregulated world of herbal medicines. Although some are clearly of value, other so-called cancer remedies are worthless, dangerous, or both. Always check with your doctor before trying a new herb, and consult people who have used it, if possible, to get some idea of what you're getting into.

Here's a look at what's known about the potential strengths, weaknesses, and side effects of some of the most popular herbal treatments for cancer.

• Astragalus
This herb, also known as Huang ch'i, may help fight cancer by stimulating the immune system. When researchers at the University of Texas Medical Center mixed astragalus with the blood of cancer patients in a test tube, the function of cancer-killing cells called T lymphocytes improved by 260 percent.

The downside is that the herb can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, and fatigue, and overdoses can damage the immune system. When used orally in appropriate dosages, usually 9 to 30 grams a day, astragalus seems to be safe, according to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.

• PC-SPES
Touted as a safe, effective herbal treatment for prostate cancer, PC-SPES is actually serious medicine with equally serious side effects. Researchers from Robert Wood Johnson Medical School found that the herbal cocktail -- a combination of eight traditional Chinese herbs including saw palmetto, skullcap, licorice, and Panax pseudo-ginseng -- dramatically increased estrogen levels and decreased testosterone in eight cancer patients. This hormonal shift has the potential to slow the growth of prostate cancer (which is why many prostate cancer patients take estrogen), but it comes with a price. All eight patients reported breast tenderness and a loss of sex drive, and one patient developed a blood clot in his leg.

And while PC-SPES has been proven to shrink prostate tumors, it was taken off the market in February 2002 after it was found to contain traces of the prescription drug warfarin (a blood thinner). Subsequent tests have found additional traces of strong drugs in PC-SPES, including an artificial form of estrogen and a pain reliever called indomethacin that may act against tumor cells.

• Cat's Claw
Known by the scientific name of Uncaria tomentosa, this South American vine is an ancient treatment for arthritis, cancer, and other diseases. Cat's Claw remains popular among cancer patients despite the fact that the National Cancer Institute recently decided that the active ingredients in the herb weren't powerful enough to justify further studies. The herb is generally safe -- as long as you get the right kind. There are more than 30 plants that go by the name Cat's Claw, and some that are not Uncaria tomentosa end up in herbal remedies. They can cause gastric bleeding and other side effects, and won't deliver the mild benefits patients are seeking.

• Essiac
This herbal tea (a blend of Indian rhubarb, sheepshead sorrel, slippery elm, and burdock root) has been promoted as a cure for all cancers, but there's little evidence that it has any curative powers. Studies at both Memorial Sloan-Kettering and the National Cancer Institute found that the tea failed to slow the growth of tumors in lab animals. Furthermore, a Canadian study of 77 cancer patients taking the herbal treatment found that only eight improved or remained stable. The tea, when pure, causes few side effects except for occasional nausea, but it has been known to be contaminated with the poisonous belladonna root (which closely resembles burdock root). If you do buy Essiac, stick with a well-known supplier.

• Green tea
Purported to prevent certain cancers, green tea may also help slow the spread of the disease. Test-tube studies at Rutgers University found that compounds from green tea slowed the division of cancer cells from the lung and colon. Other studies have found that green tea stunts the growth of tumors in mice. But the results in human studies are contradictory. The National Cancer Institute notes that some studies suggest that green tea may be an effective cancer-fighter, while other studies found no benefit. The NCI is continuing to study what effect, if any, green tea has on cancer. In the meantime, drinking a few cups of the antioxidant-rich brew each day certainly won't do any harm, but don't overdo it -- some study subjects on high doses of green tea suffered nausea and diarrhea.

• Iscador
This extract from European mistletoe contains compounds called lectins which, at least in theory, can kill cancer cells. A recent review in the journal Phytomedicine reported that Iscador improved the survival of cancer patients in 10 out of 11 trials (although the best-designed study was the one that found no effect). In addition, a Swiss study showed that Iscador more than doubled the rate of DNA repair in 12 out of 14 breast cancer patients. But according to the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, there is a serious risk of poisoning associated with Iscador, and it shouldn't be taken without a doctor's supervision.

AHealthyMe.com

Foxy Lady: thanks foxy

spicieangel: I have that same problem,all stuffed up,post nasal drip,etc.Haven't had any luck yet but a salt water flush does unplug my nose.

anyone have a tip that may help my seasonal allergies and allergies to my hubbys cockateils???

Help control tissue-damaging inflammatory processes with a
bit of fish oil.

Chronic inflammation of body tissues may play a role in
the pathology of many diseases, including diabetes and heart
disease. However, a new study reveals omega-3 fatty acids in
fish oil may help reduce inflammation. Seek out a serving of
oily fish such as salmon or tuna each week.

More about this Tip: Inflammation is the body's immune response to injury and infection. However, evidence suggests chronic inflammation can damage tissues, contributing to heart and blood vessel disease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and many other conditions. In a recent study, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), the essential omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil, helped reduce skin and abdominal inflammation. EPA also limited several processes associated with inflammation, such as the movement of immune cells known as dendritic cells and the production of interleukin 12, a chemical messenger that enhances the immune response. Steer clear of large, long-lived fish, such as sea bass, swordfish, and king mackerel, because they have the greatest likelihood of being contaminated with unacceptably high levels of mercury from the environment. Safer fish choices include salmon, pollock, sole, and chunk light tuna.




**This is a RealAge Tip**

niCe'n' hEaLTHy

nobleheart: Well i guess but it does have to do with health.I like to know whats being put in my families food.

I guess this should go under recipes...but there are several sites that reveal the ingredients of many products.

nobleheart: Hey thanks for the site on the juice.My brother-in-law has our juice book and i'm a duhhhhh without it.

I know,they must put something in it:
http://www.google.com/search?q=V8%20juice%20ingredients&svnum=30&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&sa=N&tab=iw

nobleheart: Oh ya bet i do,thats one juice i drink alot of.I tried making it but it's just not the same.

Foxy Lady: do u like V8 juice?

nobleheart: I'm not crazy about carrot juice but i do add them to vegetable juices.

Foxy Lady: foxy,have you ever made carrot juice from organically grown carrots...delicious,sweet.

wayney: Done

JamesHird: I was asking questions about some posts that were running down others or some such thing.
Can someone please delete my posts now. They look kind of silly without the other posts thank you

Oh Purple Passion.. well.. that is a fellowship I am not in.. guess we will just have to take your word for it that those are your words..

I did look at page three from here though.. interesting stuff! and wow.. just about a year ago..

ScarletRose: I had to delete some posts but you are not hidden. Please stay on topic. Thanks.

MindyzTaken: Gosh you are smart Mindy. Or are you getting this from the Net.. cause you should be citing your sources..

JamesHird: There were many off topic posts that appeared during the night when I wasn't here to moderate so a Global Moderator stepped in and hid them. Sorry for the confusion but I do support what the GM did. This is for health and home remedies and all related posts will be welcome..but not any others. Thanks.

Any suggestions for what may be good for the kidneys?....

wayney: looks like a bunch of posts were deleted or else that makes no sense?????????

MindyzTaken: You can also juice the apples.I love to make fresh juice and i know the gurls are not getting all the icckkyyss.

MindyzTaken: My pleasure.

Usurper: Wow! Thats cool..Thanks Usurper!

MindyzTaken: Ask Dr. Purple. He knows everything. LOL

MindyzTaken: I've heard they're good for dealing with stress in general, and also to prevent colds & other conditions which are caused by a vitamin C deficiency. They contain a LOT of vitamin C. They also contain a lot of other vitamins too, like E & K and I think beta carotene.

I have vitamin C with rose hips..I take them all the time,,but I never knew what the rose hips are actually good for..I know they are good for you,,but what exactly? Im just curious..

MindyzTaken: gOOd jOb!

MindyzTaken: Thanks

Well done. You beat me to it.

MindyzTaken:hey I'm sorry but it is a true story...

MindyzTaken: Thanks!

sLaMdAnCe: I am very sorry to read that you have cancer, Slam.. :-( I will certainly keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Green tea is very healthy and btw.. lots of the Japanese cuisine is healthy indeed..

and talking about healing.. Psalm 34 is the psalm of hope.. May the Lord fill you with hope each day new!! God bless you,

~*Radiant*~

Slam - on the cancer issue I think it would do you some good to read this book 'The Magus of Strovolos: The Extraordinary World of a Spiritual Healer'. I know it did me a world of good. Here is an article about it if you are so inclined Article

Purple: Good move.

Purple: Amen Thank You Purp

ANTICHRIST: You are banned for obvious reasons.

..and Green Tea. A prescription for hope. Plus the fact that you are not alone.

I've just started attending a course to learn about TCM and wow what an interesting course it is. One of the ladies in my class was diagnosed with leukemia last year and she is using TCM to heal her body. She has been able to keep her fulltime job and says has more energy now that before!!! Imagine if she was using radiotherapy and chemo to treat the leukemia!

sLaMdAnCe: That is cool, you take care of yourself! KICK ITS A**!

Partica: i'm cool.
i'm too much a knucklehead to give in to it.
Screw the meds and radiation.
I just treat myself right and stay active.

sLaMdAnCe: Sorry to read that you have cancer slam. I fought that battle last year. Damn near killed me but I did everything I could to beat it and finally won, so far so good!

Green tea has many healing properties! Keep it up! Reducing stress is also vital to kicking its bootie! Peace Love and Light sLaM. May you be showered in it!

SueQ: hehe

sLaMdAnCe: Just drinking my green tea! :)

sUp,Q?

Green Tea is wonderful. It also increases metabolism for those interested in losing weight.

hehe.
tiMe WiLL tELL.

sLaMdAnCe: I believe and know you will beat it Slammer.

gReEn tEa iZ hELpin' Me bEAt cAnCEr.
dRiNk gReEn tEa.