Summary of the Herbal Therapies workshop from: June 12-14th Integrating Cancer Therapies Conference, Washington, D.C. Herbal Therapies was moderated by Joel Evans, MD; Founder and Director, Center for Women’s Health. The presenters were Steve Austin, ND; Center for Natural Medicine, Sophie Chen, PhD; President, NOVASPES, Inc., Bruce Dales; Research & Development Department, Flora Manufacturing and Distributing and Alexander Sun, PhD; Director, Medical Sciences, Connecticut Institute for Aging and Cancer. The commentator was James Duke, PhD; Botanical Consultant. Ann attended this panel because she had spoken with Sophie Chen at dinner the evening before and her discussion intrigued me. She also knew of Alexander Sun’s work and had used his ‘soup’ some years ago, at the recommendation of Ralph Moss. The blurb stated that James Duke, one of the nation’s leading botanic scientists, would carefully evaluate the research data presented. Dr. Chen’s work focuses on PC SPES which is used for prostate cancer. No studies have been done with breast or ovarian but she informed me that there are obvious connections. The product seems to cause changes in the cell cycle, slowing it down. They can show that the oncogene is affected too. There is a reduction in Androgen receptors and the PSA goes down. It seems to wok in many pathways and has some similarities to an herbal formula used in Japan-Sho-saiko to, with three aspects that match up. She said the product was taken 3 capsules in the morning and 3 at night. If early stage disease, only the 3 capsules in the evening were needed. Her work is done in New Jersey and she may look into breast cancer next because of the obvious hormonal similarities. To date, the product has been tested on prostate and breast cell lines and in male patients with prostate cancer. Bruce Dales gave a marketing talk on Floressence. Studies are being undertaken with the product which is a form of ‘essiac’ tea. This product is sold in health food stores. He said that results of studies had been sent to MD Anderson for evaluation. It is definitely non-toxic works as an immune stimulant, is an adaptogen and works to decrease capillary leakage. He said they have evidence from a botanist that there is not a problem with estrogenic effects. Dr. Sun spoke about his work in preparing the soup. All ingredients are food products-it has immune mediating effects, it is non-toxic, has antitumor abilities and functions as a protease inhibitor. He began searching the literature because his mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is free of cancer 12 years later and was in the audience. He suggested that a combination of surgery and his soup was the most useful. The product works okay with radiation but less so when chemotherapy is done. If a patient does not have diabetes or high blood pressure, he feels the product is much more effective. Steve Austin spoke about his small study of patients using Hoxsey herbs. He went to visit the clinic in Mexico. It was found that all patients there had come because they personally knew a patient who had benefited from the product. Hoxsey himself stated that he did well with melanoma and breast cancer patients. The herbal content of this product seems to correspond with what is known about anti-cancer properties. The total ingredients are not completely revealed even now, although they include potassium iodide, red clover, burdock root, stilingia root, berberis root, poke root, cascara amarga, prickly ash bark, buckthorn bark, and more. Duke said he respects many of the herbs in the Hoxsey formula. He also said some of the herbs in Floressence were excellent. About Sun soup, he was certain it contained many elements of useful nutrition. He definitely felt that whole foods were better than the sum of their parts and the whole herb as well. He stated that using herbs and food gave a double synergy. He said phytochemicals can operate at all stages. He particularly likes burdock root for cancer, stating that he would use it even if doing chemotherapy. NOTE: "Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines" just published by Integrative Medicine Communications. These are the complete German monographs. They tell all about herbs as looked by an official body-the E Commission, in Germany. Uses, dosage, interactions, etc. Unfortunately $165. But I am sure the information is accessible on the web. Ann has the PDR(Physicians Desk Reference) for herbs which includes some information from the E Commission monographs. Check out link section. A question and answers from a distinguished panel Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.