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| of certain cancers. It also possesses liver-protective and antiallergenic activity. Triterpenes, mainly glycyrrhizin, possess blocking ability against tumor-promoting agents. A recent study done in Japan demonstrated that glycyrrhizin can inhibit liver cancer caused by hepatitis. 40 The flavonoids and isoflavonoids in licorice possess hormonal regulating ability, and the polysaccharide fraction has immunostimulating activity. |
| Licorice affects adrenal function by increasing the production of cortisol, DHEA, and aldosterone. Low levels of DHEA are found in many women with breast cancer. Licorice, by increasing cortisol, produces anti-inflammatory actions and may inhibit the growth of leukemia and lymphoma cells by affecting glucocorticoid receptor sites on their plasma membranes. |
| Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) |
| Chinese skullcap (huang qin) differs from American skullcap. It inhibits many viruses including tumor viruses and the HIV virus by inhibiting reverse transcriptase; it is anti-inflammatory and induces cell death in a number of cancer cell lines including two sarcomas and cervical cancer. It also inhibits human hepatoma cell growth by 50 percent. Chinese skullcap has a particularly high flavonoid content, over 35 percent. Its flavonoid content is believed to be responsible for most of its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiretroviral, antitumor, and antimicrobial effects. It also stimulates the immune system. In addition, baicalein, a saponin, inhibits cancer-cell multiplication and induces cell death in vitro. A number of Chinese formulas used to treat cancer feature this herb. It is used traditionally to cleanse heat, dry excess moisture, and remove toxins.41,42 |
| Herbs to Treat Specific Symptoms |
| These are herbs that can alleviate the symptoms of cancer itself or the side effects of conventional cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation. |
| Red Root (Ceanothus americanus) |
| Red root is one of my favorite herbs, and is excellent for spleen and lymph disorders. It strengthens the lymph system and helps remove wastes from the body. It is also a stimulant to the digestive apparatus, the portal circulation, the liver, |
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