Back before the advent of modern medicine, naturopaths and other holistic healers relied – as they do today – not an industrially manufactured chemicals, but on natural plant-based compounds to treat a variety of human diseases, ranging from the mild (skin conditions like acne or eczema) to the severe (potentially fatal diseases like cancer).
That is because common plants, such as the ones which grow in herb gardens all across the country, contain compounds which have been proven to treat serious conditions like cancer and offer remedies that kill off cancer cells without damaging healthy tissues. Read on to find out more about which typical garden herbs have clinically proven cancer-fighting properties.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a rich source of a compound called terpene, which gives it its characteristic woody fragrance. Modern research has found that when rosemary is given to cancer patients along with chemotherapy drugs like Adriamycin that the absorption of these drugs in enhanced and the therapy is more efficient. This often results in halting the spread of cancer cells or even eliminating them altogether. (1)
Parsley
Parsley is more than just a garnish! In fact, it has really caught the attention of many medical researchers in recent years due to the fact that is contains a compound called apigenin. Apigenin has been shown to be able to kill of cancerous cell growth by cutting off the blood supply to the tumor and essentially starving the tumor to death. (2)
Thyme
Thyme has a long-established history of medicinal use going back to ancient times and is a part of traditional healing practices all over the world. And modern medicine is cottoning on to the fact that there are sound scientific reasons for this extensive use. The reason for its medical properties is its thymol, a compound similar to the terpene in rosemary with distinct anti-cancer properties. It also is a natural antimicrobial and strengthens immunity, all helpful for cancer patients. (3)
Mint
Mint contains phytocompounds which, like the apigenin in parsley is able to cut off the blood supply to cancerous tumors. It does this through blocking the process called angiogenesis, which is the process by which new blood vessels are formed throughout the body. (4)
Dill
Dill, like the other herbs mentioned above, contains strong bioactive compounds which lend it its medicinal properties. One set of these compounds are called monoterpenes, which help to activate antioxidants that are useful for neutralizing cancer cells and preventing cellular damage by free radicals, one of the underlying causes of cancer. (5)
In conclusion, the common herbs that are growing in gardens all over the country do more than just add flavor to many popular foods. They also contain potent compounds which have been proven to be effective even against serious conditions like cancer and may even be developed in the future into more effective cancer treatments than what mainstream medicine currently offers.
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