Please look at more articles under each topic on this page. And for more on Chinese herbs, see complete section in Consumer's View of Alt Med=Traditional Chinese Medicine. 4/5/07 Of the dried culinary herbs tested, oregano, sage, peppermint, garden thyme, lemon balm, clove, allspice and cinnamon as well as the Chinese medicinal herbs Cinnamomi cortex and Scutellariae radix all contained very high concentrations of antioxidants J Nutr. 2003 May;133(5):1286-90. Curcumin and Genistein Synergistic at Inhibiting Estrogen Induced Breast Carcinoma Verma SP et al Curcumin and genisten are two natural products of plants obtained from Curcuma longa Linn. (turmeric) and soybeans, respectively. Both compounds when present at micromolar concentrations are able to inhibit growth of estrogen-positive human breast MCF-7 cells induced individually or by a mixture of pesticides endosulfane, DDT and chlordane or 17-beta estradiol. When curcumin and genistein were added together to MCF-7 cells, a synergistic effect resulting in total inhibition of the induction of MCF-7 cells by the highly estrogenic activity of endosulfane/chlordane/DDT mixtures was noted. These data suggest that the combination of curcumin and genistein in the diet have the potential to reduce the proliferation of estrogen-positive cells by mixtures of pesticides or 17-beta estradiol. Since it is difficult to remove pesticides completely from the environment or the diet and since both turmeric and soybeans are not toxic to humans, their inclusion in the diet in order to prevent hormone related cancers deserves consideration. Ann's NOTE: WHAT THIS MEANS: Combining curcumin and genistein (just one of the active ingredients in soybeans) was shown to COMPLETELY stop breast cells from becoming malignant (in a test tube). The researchers suggest that adding curcumin and soybeans to the diet could help prevent breast cancers that are responsive to hormones. There is a theory that soy genistein and other phytochemicals can occupy receptors in the breast that would otherwise be estrogen occupied. Too much estrogen has been shown to be a factor in breast cancer. The issue of soy elements, soy products and soy foods,have not been resolved fully. 11/03 Ann's NOTE (an opinion): Very often in discussion with physicians and researchers I hear comments on dose and how hard it is to judge with foods, herbs, spices, etc. How important is that really? We know everyone is a bit different from anyone else. Studies are conducted to find a common 'dose' that many will benefit from. This really does not mean that everyone needs the same dose. In fact, people metabolize doses differently and it does not appear to be based on size or weight. So in some respects the fear of natural substances should not focus on portions, doses or amount of 'active ingredient' in any spoonful. Biophys Res Commun 1997 Apr 28;233(3):692-6 Application of “-Omic-” technologies in phytomedicine Phytomedicine, 1/07 Curcumin/Turmeric Antioxidant/anti-inflammatory protective from RTx damage Spices and Bacteria How they can kill bacteria in foods Including H-pylori Soy and Hot Flashes Journal of Clinical Oncology March 2000 Borage Oil/GLA Effective against cancer cells and helpful to breast cancer patients, 2000 study shows. Decreased Risk of Mortality Associated with diet in women more evidence for healthy diet Some Spices Protect Bacteria During Irradiation Study finds some unusual results about spices, bacteria and irradiation may have implications for humans Antioxidants and Healthy Breasts College of Pharmacy, University of Louisana Milk Thistle Studies (silymarin) Clin Cancer Res 1998 Apr;4(4):1055-64 Spice Rack and Cox 2 Inhibitors Article from WholeHealthMD Herbals, Cancer Prevention & Health J Nutrition, 2001 Studies with Ginseng Shown to synergistically inhibit cancer cell growth Myrrh as Anti-cancer Therapy J Natural Products, 11/01 Red Clover and Estrogenic Effects J Nutrition, 1/02 Spices that Enhance Immunity Ayervedic advice, Winter, 2001-02 Saffron & Cancer Prevention Ralph Moss Report #18 January 7, 2002 Kava Kava Articles on Kava Kava from various resources UK Tonic Contains Chinese Ants BBC 2/10/02 Review of Some Popular Herbs Annals of Internal Medicine 12/01 Herbs Rich Source of Antioxidants J Am Chemical Soc, 11/01 Plant Stems & Leaves Proportional to Roots United Press Intl arcmax.com Herbal-related Toxic Hepatitis J Med, 3/02 Discussion of ways to begin identifying toxicity St. John's Wort - MUST READ INFO Oncogene, 3/02 Anticachectic Effects of Berberine & Coptidis rhizoma Int J Cancer Medieval Medicine (Wales) Contributes Society for Conservation Biology, 7/02 Nature News Service Gingko biloba Advice on downside risks, studies Black Cohosh & No Proliferation of Bca Cells Breast Can Res Tr, 11.02 Enahnces Tamoxifen Ascaridol (Chenopodium antherlminticum L) Anticancer Res, 11-12,02 Homoharringtonine-Evergreen plant Cephalotaxus harringtonia J Exper Thera & Onc, 1/03 Ayervedic Herbs to Reduce Unwanted Effects of Chemo The Cincinnati Enquirer, 5/03 Anti-Cancer Plants in Brazil The Oncologist, 6/2000 Ginger Articles/studies Medicinal Plants Make a Comeback UNESCO Cour, 7/79 Herbal Plants Endangered by Interest CNN.com,1/04 Gingko & Memory Enhancement JAMA, 8/02 Echinacea J Clin Pharm & Thera, 2/04 Capsaicin Inhibits Angiogenesis Cancer Res, 1/04 From the Pepper family Tylophorine Analogs as Antitumor Compounds Cancer Res, 1/04 Korean angelica Isolate Induces Apoptosis Abstract 2982 AACR, 3/04 NutraSanus LINK to comprehensive guide: herbs, vitamins, natural remedies, dietary supplements Chapparal Looked at AGAIN - Tumors Shrink Medical University of South Carolina, 8/04 The Herbage Database www.herbage.info Herbal Medicine in Context: Editorial British J of Medicine, 10/03 Herbs Have Multiple Effects - Some Opposing J Circulation, 9/04 Natural Standard LINK to site including databases on herbs, alt med, dictionary and more. Founded by clinicians. Herbs Information from many sources, repeat of some links too Terminalia catappa (Herb) is Chemopreventive (Rats) Colon Euro J Cancer Prevention, 4/05 Nigella sative (Herb) & Early Carcinogenesis (Rats) Hum Exp Toxicol, 4/03 Phenolic Contents & Antioxidant Activities: Plants/Food Intl J Food Sci & Nutr, 6/05 Woad has Anti-Cancer Properties J Science of Food & Agriculture, August 2006 parthenolide & golden feverfew extract in 3 Human Ca Cell Lines J Med Food, Spring, 2006 Protective Effect: Andrographis paniculata & Urothelial Toxicity Integrative Cancer Therapies, 9/06 Daphne genkwa root inhibits growth/mets Lewis lung ca (MICE) Inter'l Immunopharmacology, 2/07 Protective effect of Terminalia belerica Roxb. & gallic acid J Ethnopharmacology, 1/07 Uncaria tomentosa extracts dffrntlly rglts exprssn IL-1alpha & TNF-a J Ethnopharmacology, 1/07 Chinese Herbs Examined Contains articles, studies, etc on specific Chinese herbs/components Evaluation of antioxidant activity of Cassia siamea flowers J Ethnopharmacology, 12/06 Evening Prirose Enhances Chemo University of Maryland Alt Med pages Willow bark extract Suppresses Growth Colon/Lung Ca cells Cancer Detection and Prevention, in proof, 4/07 Clove Tea for Diarrhea Source: Caring4Cancer Terminalia catappa L. leaves and Lung Cancer cells Food and Chem Toxicology, 7/07 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. 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