Cancer remedies

AZT was originally developed unsuccessfully as a cancer remedy and remained as an unapproved drug candidate until its antiviral activity was discovered in the mid-1980s. For a case history, see Emmons and Nimgade (1991). 

Exposure is by ingestion of seeds, leaves, stems, roots, and fruit. Crushed seeds of some of the mentioned varieties are marketed as health foods. They are also marketed and sold surreptitiously as cancer remedies or vitamin supplements. Laetrile and Apri-kern are some health products consisting of crushed seeds from the Prunus species. 

In reviewing alternative cancer remedies, the primary emphasis is on plants and herbs, where the baseline authority is Hartwell (1982), cited on numerous occasions. Hartwell, who was a chemist with the NCI, tracked cancer folklore back to the beginnings of recorded history. The aforementioned volume consists of over 700 pages, with approximately 3000 species entries from 1430 genera in 214 different plant families. 

A bitter, astringent, and fetid smelling native of Europe and Asia, herb-Robert has spread into North and South America, and is considered a folk cancer remedy. Preparations are applied externally to tumors and ulcers. Freshly picked and crushed leaves, when rubbed upon the skin, are said to repel mosquitoes. Fresh extracts are active against vesicular stomatitis virus (V SV), which is in the same family as the rabies virus. Antibacterial effects also occur. 

Thomas, R. 1993. The Essiac Report The Tme Story of a Canadian Herbal Cancer Remedy and of the Thousands of Lives it Continues to Save. Los Angeles, CA The Alternative Treatment Information Network. 

Gary, G.L., The Calling of An Angel Nature s Care for Cancer, Silent Walker Publishing, Los Angeles, 1988 Thomas, R., The Essiac Report Canada s Remarkable Unknown Cancer Remedy, Alternative Treatment Information Network, Los Angeles, 1993. 

Traditional use The plant has a long history of use in folk medicine. Preparations were used as a cancer remedy. A deco-cotion of the upper plant parts (capitula and leaves) is used to treat constipation, jaundice, Uver diseases, hypochondria, respiratory tract catarrh, intermittent fever, gastrointestinal atonia, gout, ulcers, kidney diseases, urination disorders, and indigestion and is also used as an emetic (Ogolevitz 1951 Khalmatov et al. 1984 Khodzhimatov 1989). 

Erythrophleum alkaloids have cardiac activity (they increase contractile strength) and a very strong local anesthetic action. Although the latter action is more potent than cocaine, it is accompanied by intense irritation at the site of administration. Cassaine (39) inhibits (Na K )-ATPase (Wink, 1993), When the double bond is saturated, almost all biological activity disappears. Erythrophleum bark is used as a cancer remedy in Africa (Suffness and Cordell, 1985). 

Traditional Medicine. In traditional Chinese medicine, apricot (P. armeniaca) kernels are used as an antitussive and antiasthmatic and in treating tumors. Apricot tree inner bark in the form of a decoction is used in treating apricot kernel poisoning, reportedly with great success (jiANGSu). Sweet almond seed or seed oil has been used as a folk cancer remedy for bladder, breast, mouth, spleen, and uterine cancers, among others. 

Traditional Medicine. Leaves reportedly used as diuretic, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, and refrigerant in fevers, lung diseases, colds externally a poultice a folk cancer remedy in breast or facial cancers (duke 2 foster wren). 

Traditional Medicine. Fmit juice traditionally considered diuretic, antiseptic, febrifuge, refrigerant a home remedy for treatment of urinary tract infections folk cancer remedy in eastern Europe (steinmetz). 

Traditional Medicine. Used in Africa and since the early 20th century in Europe for indigestion (bitter tonic), blood diseases, headache, allergies, rheumatism, arthritis, lumbago, neuralgia also as febrifuge, purgative externally for sores, ulcer, boils, and skin lesions folk cancer remedy. 

Traditional Medicine. Fruits, bark, or seed has reportedly been used externally for ulcers a folk cancer remedy. Seeds used for gastritis, enteritis, and hemorrhoids (duke 2). Bark tea astringent, used in malaria, dysentery externally for lupus and skin ulcers (foster and duke). 

Traditional Medicine. Used as a tonic, diaphoretic, and diuretic as well as in removing and preventing kidney and bladder stones. Used in American Indian tradition as diuretic, cathartic, emetic externally bark for wounds, burns, sore muscles, sprains folk cancer remedy (foster and duke). 

Traditional Medicine. Fresh flowers in tea, tincture, or olive oil, reportedly a popular domestic medicine for treatment of external ulcers, wounds (especially with severed nerve tissue), sores, cuts, bruises, and so on. Tea, a folk remedy for bladder ailments, depression, dysentery, diarrhea, and worms folk cancer remedy (foster and duke). 

Traditional Medicine. Indian groups in Mexico use the oil as a hair restorer, also a folk cancer remedy externally applied to head sores (duke 3). 

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