Black Currant Anti-Cancer

Black currants are very rich in many phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, essential fatty acids and minerals. Black currants contain polyphenolic compounds that can cure cancer.

Properties of Black Currant 
Black currant properties contains tannin, vitamin C, potassium salts, and essential oil, the black currant is a good diuretic, anti-sclerotic, pectoral, stomachic, anti-diaretic, anti-colitic, anti-stringent, and hypotensive(low blood pressure).

Historical Medical Usage

The list of therapeutic properties of the black currant fruits was presented in the 18th century by the abbot Bailley de Montaran, from the monastery of Dijon. He underlined their wonderful tonic qualities, considering the currant as being an elixir of youth. Black currant was used for centuries in Chinese folk medicine as a diuretic, diaphoretic (excessive sweating), and febrifuge(prevent or reduce fever), and Europe. In external use, the mixtures from black currant fruits are used for treating abcess(collection of pus), dermatosis (any skin diseases), eczemas, insect stings or hits.

Black Currant for Cancer

Black currants may also have cancer-fighting properties. “The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” featured a study on December 2004 that discussed the effects of several species of berries on breast and colon cancer cells. Black currants were included in the study, and researchers found that the vitamin C content, anthocyanins, flavanoids and other substances in the berries may be effective in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
The berries of black currant are rich in polyphenolic compounds and especially in anthocyanins, demonstrating antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activities of plant products contribute multiple health benefits.

Medical Benefits of Black Currant

Compounds in black currants may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study in the current issue of Chemistry & Industry magazine. Compounds in black currants may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, according to a study in the current issue of Chemistry & Industry magazine. The black currant diet is useful against rheumatism, arthritis and gout. The plant stimulates digestion, stimulates the functioning of the liver, pancreas, spleen and kidneys. Black currants are also useful against tiredness and overwork. The diet with these fruits is also recommended to plethoric and lymphatic people and to women who suffer from circulation disorders due to menopause. Black currant is recommended as a systemic anti-inflammatory agent with actions similar to those of natural cortisone, in cutaneous, acute and chronic allergies, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and diabetic retinopathy.

Black Currant Juice

Natural currant juice obtained from 400 fruits and 4 big leaves. It can be consumed simply or diluted in 200-500ml water, 3-4 times a day. It has beneficial effects against digestive inflammations and febrile states. Throat washes can be made with it more times a day for treating inflamed tonsils and throat aches.

Licorice Cure For Cancer

Licorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) that is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. Licorice is not related to Anise, Star Anise, or Fennel, which are the sources of similar flavouring compounds. Other names of Licorice include Gan cao, sweet root, glycyrrhiza, liquorice. The medicinally used part of licorice is the root and dried rhizome of the low-growing shrub Glycyrrhiza glabra. Currently, most licorice is produced in Greece, Turkey, and Asia.

Licorice Historical Medicinal Usage

In traditional Chinese medicine, liquorice is commonly used in herbal formulae to “harmonize” the other ingredients in the formula and to carry the formula to the twelve “regular meridians” and to relieve a spasmodic cough.

This herb is also an important component of traditional Chinese medicine used to detoxify and to enhance or balance the effects of other components in herbal formulas; and as a tonic, expectorant and a demulcent in Ayurveda. A number of compounds including glycyrrhizin are thought to account for its biologic activity.

The traditional uses of licorice includes supplements the spleen, replenishes qi or chi (energy), clears heat, removes toxin, nourishes lungs, controls cough, harmonizes stomach and spleen, inhibits gastric secretion, has anti-inflammatory effect, anti-ulcer effect and antispasmodic effect. Licorice was alsoused to in application for sore throat, carbuncle, toxic swelling, toxicosis in fetuses and children, palpitation, diarrhea due to impaired spleen, thirst due to weak stomach, cough due to dry lungs. Licorice is used in the treatment of stomach cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Licorice Health Benefits

• Licorice is used in Europe as medicinal support for people suffering from ulcers. Scientific studies have also shown that licorice is very effective as a pharmaceutical drug when it comes to treating peptic ulcers. A special form of licorice known as DGL is the preferred treatment for ulcers; this form removes the glycyrrhizin from the licorice as this can cause high blood pressure. DGL has no side effects and is the inexpensive option when compared with drugs such as Tagomet and Zantac.
• Glycerhizin, the compound that gives licorice its sweet flavour, is a potent anti-viral agent. It is both active against HIV and protects the immune systems of those infected with the virus.
• Research has shown that the benefits of licorice can also be used in HIV related diseases. Licorice helps to slow the progression of HIV to AIDS and clinical studies carried out showed that licorice was able to slow HIV reproduction in test tubes. As you know the HIV virus targets the body’s immune system and destroys white blood cells. Licorice helps to trigger the chemical compound interferon which is the body’s virus fighting agent.
• Licorice is used in Europe as medicinal support for people suffering from ulcers. Scientific studies have also shown that licorice is very effective as a pharmaceutical drug when it comes to treating peptic ulcers. A special form of licorice known as DGL is the preferred treatment for ulcers; this form removes the glycyrrhizin from the licorice as this can cause high blood pressure. DGL has no side effects and is the inexpensive option when compared with drugs such as Tagomet and Zantac.
• Licorice has similar effects tohydrocortisone when applied topically and can be used to help fight dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis . Licorice can also be used to help speed up the healing process of cold sores and has also been known to reduce the pain associated with cold sores.
• Research indicates that the use of Licorice can be effective in treating both chronic and acute hepatitis. The compound glycyrrhizin in licorice is used clinically in Japan was found to be an efficient treatment in both hepatitis B and hepatitis C patients. Licorice was as effective as alpha-interferon and it did not cause the side effects associated with alpha-interferon.
• Licorice has a mild estrogenic effect. A high estrogen level can cause many menstrual problems; licorice may help to balance the estrogen levels in the body by reducing estrogen.
• Research indicates that the use of Licorice can be effective in treating both chronic and acute hepatitis. The compound glycyrrhizin in licorice is used clinically in Japan was found to be an efficient treatment in both hepatitis B and hepatitis C patients. Licorice was as effective as alpha-interferon and it did not cause the side effects associated with alpha-interferon.
• It has always been common practice to use licorice in the treatment of severe respiratory problems such as coughing, asthma, sore throats, and bronchitis and modern research confirms these health benefits of licorice.
• It is not possible to combat the effects of stress without having healthy functioning adrenal glands. Licorice supports the adrenal glands and its compound glycyrrhizic helps to block the breakdown of cortisol which in turn raises cortisol levels helping the body to fight against stress and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• A study on 20 students showed that licorice makes LDL cholesterol more resistant to oxidation.

• Helps in weight control treatments since licorice helps to maintain stomach acid levels.
• Helps for Respiratory Illnesses – licorice contain anti-allergic properties that is essential for the treatment of respiratory disorder.
• Anti-inflammatory – licorice acts on the tissue much the same way as cortisone but without the negative side effects.
• Tonic to help combat fever

Licorice Cancer Cure

One of the principal pathological processes underlying cancer is inflammation; and it is the presence of too much 11?HSD2 in the colon that aggravates the inflammatory component of colorectal cancer. The anti-inflammatory drugs mentioned previously work by blocking the inflammatory process generated by the 11?HSD2 enzyme.

Glycyrrhizic acid however works by blocking the 11?HSD2 enzyme itself; thereby preventing the formation of the inflammatory compounds themselves. Due to its active ingredient glycyrrhiza, licorice may decrease the amount of testosterone, one accusating factor to prostate cancer. Attention is called in electrolytes balance, since licorice increases the levels of potassium in blood.

In this case we speak of cancer, specifically colon cancer, as a group of researchers from the School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University in Nashville have associated the use of licorice with the prevention of cancer.

Licorice inhibits the activity of the enzyme 11-beta-HSD2, which in turn blocks the activity of COX-2 protein, which is achieved by preventing the development of tumors and in turn inhibit their growth and metastasis, the least in experimental models of colorectal cancer with those who worked the researchers.

In fact, researchers have shown that the use of this medicinal plant has no side effects in the arteries or any part of the circulatory system, which it can occur with the implementation of conventional anti-inflammatory drugs commonly used for the prevention of this cancer.
As explained Paul Stewart and Stephen Prescott, researchers discussed the research, it is a very important research by providing a very effective alternative treatment for colorectal cancer treatment.

Writing in the Journal of Clinical Investigation the Vanderbilt researchers describe how glycyrrhizic acid, found in licorice, helps to prevent the formation of colon tumours by inhibiting the enzyme 11?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2.

Licorice Precautions

Licorice with glycyrrhizin may cause serious side effects. Too much glycyrrhizin causes a condition called pseudoaldosteronism, which can cause a person to become overly sensitive to a hormone in the adrenal cortex. This condition can lead to headaches, fatigue, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks. It may also cause water retention, which can lead to leg swelling and other problems.
Although the most dangerous effects generally only occur with high doses of licorice or glycyrrhizin, side effects may occur even with average amounts of licorice. Some people experience muscle pain or numbness in the arms and legs. To be safe, ask your health care provider to monitor your use of licorice.
People with the following conditions should not take licorice:

• Heart failure
• Heart disease
• Fluid retention
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take licorice.
Use of any licorice product is not recommended for longer than 4 – 6 weeks.

Licorice Dosage

Adults (18 years and older)

• Carbenoxolone gel or cream: A 2% cream or gel has been applied five times a day for 7-14 days for herpes simplex virus skin lesions.
• Commercial preparation : 3.5 grams a day of a commercial preparation of licorice has been studied for body fat mass reduction.
• DGL extract tablets: Doses of 380-1,140 milligrams three times daily taken by mouth 20 minutes before meals have been used.
• Licorice fluid extract (10 percent to 20 percent glycyrrhizin): Doses of 2-4 milliliters per day have been taken by mouth.
• Licorice powdered root (4 percent to 9 percent glycyrrhizin): Doses of 1-4 grams taken by mouth daily, divided into three or four doses, have been used.

Children (younger than 18 years)

There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend licorice for use in children, and licorice is not recommended due to potential side effects.

Licorice Products

Licorice products are made from peeled and unpeeled dried root. There are powdered and finely cut root preparations made for teas, tablets, and capsules, as well as liquid extracts. Some licorice extracts do not contain glycyrrhizin. These extracts are known as deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL), and do not seem to have the undesired side effects of other forms of licorice. Some studies suggest DGL may be better for stomach or duodenal ulcers. DGL may offer protection against ulcer formation when taken with aspirin. Search licorice products in Google

Cascara Sagrada Treatment For Cancer

Cascara sagrada is a natural laxative that comes from the reddish-brown bark of the Rhamnus purshiana tree native to the Pacific Northwest. It was used by various Native American Indian tribes, who also passed their sacred bark on to Spanish explorers.

Historical Medicinal Usage
Cascara sagrada was formerly introduced into western culture when Eli Lilly & Company introduced Elixir Purgans. The aged bark has been used for centuries as a laxative herb because of the plant’s glycosides. Only organic bark, aged at least a year, should be used. This is because fresh bark induces vomiting and diarrhea product containing cascara as well as several other laxative herbs.

Today, many common laxatives use cascara sagrada as an ingredient. To use cascara sagrada as a laxative, the bark must be carefully prepared by curing for at least one year or heated and dried to speed up the aging process. Aging is essential because fresh cascara sagrada is irritating to the gastrointestinal system, causing vomiting and upset stomach.

Cascara sagrada is recognized as safe and effective by most medical and health professionals.

Cascara Sagrada Health Benefits

The value of cascara sagrada as a laxative is clear for easing constipation, when it’s taken properly and at a safe dosage. In fact, cascara is such a mild laxative that it can safely be used by the elderly and for the mild constipation that can occur following anal or rectal surgery as it prevents the pressure and pain associated with hemorrhoids and anal fissures. However, additional medical indications have not been substantiated and little is known about additional benefits of this herb.

The glycosides found in cascara sagrada are stimulant cathartics that exert their action by increasing the smooth-muscle tone in the wall of the large intestine and have only minor effects on the small intestine. The drug is transformed by intestinal bacteria into substances that in¬crease peristalsis in the large intestine and help restore intestinal tone.

A bowel movement usually will take place within six to eight hours of taking a typically recommended dose of cascara sagrada.

Practitioners of alternative medicine may recommend cascara sagrada to “detoxify” the colon. According to Dr. Michael Picco, a digestive disease specialist at Mayo Clinic, proponents of colon cleansing believe that strong laxatives can purify the body and prevent several chronic illnesses. While there is no scientific evidence to support or refute these claims, the practice of colon cleansing remains very common in alternative medicine circles. Consult your health care provider before using any colon cleansing program.

In the present case report, cascara sagrada (CS) has been associated with the development of cholestatic hepatitis, complicated by portal hypertension. CS is a mixture of ingredients, among which is anthracene glycoside–an herbal agent that previously has been associated with chronic hepatitis. The liver injury in the case herein reported is believed to be related to either anthracene glycoside or one of the other constituents of CS.

Cascara sagrada contains compounds called anthroquinones, which are responsible for cascara’s powerful laxative effects. Anthraquinones trigger contractions in the colon, called peristalsis, which causes the urge to have a bowel movement. Today, it is one of the most common herbal laxatives.

Cascara Sagrada Cancer Cure

Cascara sagrada has also been touted as an alternative treatment for cancer, although no studies have proved it effective in this regard. Its usefulness in treating cancer may stem from the presence of emodin and aloe-emodin, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. In some studies, aloe-emodin has been able to suppress growth of some cancer cells, but further study is still necessary.

Apart from its effects upon digestion, anthraquinones such as rhein and emodin have undergone a significant degree of investigation for their antitumor properties. Both rhein and emodin have demonstrated cytotoxic properties, and in neoplastic animal and human cell lines have been shown to inhibit protein synthesis, destroy the integrity of the plasma membrane and enhance lipid peroxidation (Boik 1995, 117-18). In addition, both compounds have demonstrated antitumor properties in vivo, increasing survival times and inhibiting tumor progression in animal models (Boik 1995, 117-18).

Cascara Sagrada Precautions

Cascara sagrada is contraindicated in pregnant or breast-feeding patients because it crosses the placental barrier, is excreted in breast milk, and increases the risk of diarrhea in a breast-fed infant. Although cascara sagrada may be used cautiously during pregnancy, other laxatives (such as bulk-forming and surfactant laxatives) may be preferred.

Cascara Sagrada Tips for Use

Cascara Sagrada can be very bitter and many people do not like the taste. You can mask the taste by adding honey or sugar to the hot tea. If you add a sweetener and still can’t take the bitter taste, try adding another herb such as Anise to give it a more palatable flavor.

You could also make or purchase a tincture of the herb and mix it with another drink. If using a tincture instead of a tea, use 15-30 drops in place of one cup of tea.

Cascara Sagrada Dosage

Since everyone responds differently to laxatives, it is always recommended to start with the lowest dose. Be sure to drink plenty of water when using any laxative. For constipation and related discomforts such as hemorrhoids: 1 teaspoon of liquid extract three times a day or 1 or 2 teaspoons at bedtime; or 1 or 2 capsules of dried bark at bedtime.

Cascara Sagrada Products

Cascara Sagrada can be made into tea and bought as supplements, extracts, and capsules. You can search products in Google.