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| externally to treat venereal warts and herpes. Podophyllotoxins taken alone are too toxic for internal consumption, but when used properly, in balance with the other constituents of mayapple, they are not toxic. However, too much may-apple (even as a whole plant extract) has a cathartic effect. The plant needs to dry and be aged before its medicinal constituents can be extracted. |
| Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) |
| Milk thistle is a liver protector that stabilizes and strengthens the structure of the cell membrane. It is a great free-radical scavenger and it protects the liver against damage caused by drugs and heavy metals, including chemotherapy. Silymarin, a flavonoid in milk thistle, has been shown to provide substantial protection against different stages of UBV-induced carcinogenesis. The antioxidant properties in silymarin are believed to be the protective factors. 89 |
| The anticancer drug cisplatin is known to be toxic to the kidneys. Silymarin protects kidneys and liver from this toxicity.90 Silymarin has also demonstrated a synergistic effect when combined with cisplatin and doxorubicin in the treatment of ovarian cancer.91 |
| A recent study has shown silymarin's exceptional anticarcinogenic effects through an apparent down-regulatory effect on certain breast cancer-promoting enzymes, namely cyclin-dependent kinases.92 |
| I always supplement the diet of people who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy with silymarin. It is best to take it before bedtime. |
| Milletia (Jixueteng) |
| Milletia (both the root and vine) is an important herb in the treatment of anemia, a frequent condition in postsurgery cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. It increases white blood cell counts and treats systemic weakness and irregularities in the menstrual cycle. Its unique active compound is milletol, one of the main herbs in a formula called Marrow Plus (see Resources).88 |
| Nettles (Urtica dioica and Urens) |
| I consider nettles equal or superior to all of the super green foods on the market today. Nettles are very high in chlorophyll, protein, and minerals. There are |
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