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Green Warriors: 14 Overlooked Plants Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment & Prevention

The AHA! Team — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 05:36:04 +0000

Patrick Tims via NaturalHealth365 – The plants around us are more than mere greenery. Traditional healers have recognized the powerful medicinal properties of various herbs and botanicals for centuries. Now, modern science is catching up, revealing the profound potential of these natural remedies in combating one of our most difficult health challenges: cancer. A new study published in Pharmaceuticals in April 2024 sheds light on how specific medicinal plants may help prevent and even treat various types of cancer. From familiar herbs to exotic species, researchers have identified plant-based compounds with promising anti-tumorigenic properties. Cultivating health: Medicinal plants with cancer-fighting potential While not all these plants can be easily grown at home, understanding their benefits can inform your choices in herbal supplements and traditional remedies. Here are some of the medicinal plants highlighted in the study for their potential to combat abnormal cell growth: 1. Hibiscus Hibiscus, a flowering plant, contains chemical components, including phenolic compounds. The dried extract of hibiscus is packed with phenols and saponins that inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells. Hibiscus also contains anthocyanin, which helps decrease the growth of cervical cancer cells. Aside from treating cancer, the plant also helps treat severe illness, neurological problems, and diabetes. 2. Moringa oleifera This plant’s leaves, flowers, and pods are consumed raw or cooked. Moringa oleifera leaves contain minerals, vitamins, and essential amino acids. The plant’s chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, niacin, and other components help prevent the formation and spread of cancerous tumors. 3. Kalanchoe blossfeldiana Kalanchoes are colorful houseplants that make stunning additions to dinner tables while also playing an important role in improving human health. Kalanchoe extract has cytotoxic potential that prevents the spread of ovarian cancer. The flower’s extract stops the cancer cell cycle with an exceptionally potent ability to treat metastatic lung cancer. 4. Silybum marianum L. This tree plant is commonly used as an herbal remedy in other parts of the world. Derived from milk thistle, Silybum marianum L. is loaded with polyphenolic compounds and more that prevent the formation of cancerous tumors. The plant’s components are potent against prostate cancer. 5. Curcuma longa This perennial plant hails from the same family as ginger. Curcuma longa is chock-full of several hundreds of active components you’ve undoubtedly tasted in curcumin. Curcumin triggers apoptosis, meaning the death of cancer cells. Moreover, curcumin decreases the growth of tumor cells. 6. Withania somnifera This immunological superstar, also called Indian ginseng, hails from the rugged mountainous terrain of Punjab. The plant’s derivative, Withaferin-A, helps defeat breast cancer. This economical plant is also effective in the fight against a wide variety of oral cancers. 7. Glycyrrhiza glabra Also known as licorice, glycyrrhiza glabra is commonly used by those who practice Ayurvedic medicine. This herbaceous plant contains hundreds of compounds, some of which prevent the expansion of carcinogenesis through cell cycle stimulation and additional processes. Glycyrrhiza glabra is especially effective in the battle against breast cancer. 8. Nerium oleander As a member of the Apocynaceae family, Nerium oleander is an ornamental plant with surprising medicinal utility. The plant has anticancer, anti-diabetes, and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The plant’s extract is particularly potent in preventing the expansion of cancer cells, thwarting the growth of nearly all tested forms of carcinomas. 9. Catharanthus roseus Also known as Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus contains chemical constituents ranging from alkaloids to flavonoids. The plant also contains many other compounds that make it quite the potent cancer-prevention powerhouse. To be more specific, the plant helps inhibit the spread of an inflammatory enzyme dubbed “sPLA2,” which is a common biomarker for breast cancer. 10. Arum palaestinum This lovely flowering plant is laden with flavonols, C-glycosides, alkaloids, and more. Though often used for ornamental purposes in home gardens, the plant also provides utility for treating chronic illness, diabetes, stomach issues, and cancer. The use of Arum palaestenium to treat hepatocellular carcinoma reveals the plant prevents cancerous cells from proliferating. 11. Soursop This tropical plant is used to treat cancer and other illnesses. Soursop has bioactive substances, including phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and acetogenins, with inherent antioxidant properties that help in the battle against cancer. 12. Burdock Burdock, a nearly ubiquitous plant, has medicinal components within its leaves, roots, and seeds. The plant contains B vitamins, minerals, amino acids, lignans, sterols, and phenols. Burdock’s natural lignan lappaol F is a formidable cancer-fighting agent that thwarts the growth of cancerous tumor cells through the cessation of cell cycles. In particular, burdock is valuable for its inherent ability to inhibit the advancement of tumors including cancerous pancreatic tumors. Moreover, burdock has excelled in the battle against cancer cells that have resisted multiple drugs. 13. Stinging Nettle Nettle is a medicinal plant that tastes surprisingly good. Add some homegrown nettles to your salad or soup, and you’ll receive an infusion of vitamins C, B, and A, along with beta-carotene, protein, magnesium, potassium, and iron that help fight cancer. This medicinal plant’s anticancer qualities have proven effective against three cancer cell lines, including breast cancer. 14. Dandelion Commonly used for medicinal purposes by various cultures, dandelion is loaded with vitamins D, A, B, and C. Moreover, dandelion’s zinc, manganese, magnesium and iron are also beneficial. Data from Korean researchers reveals dandelion flavonoids and phenols help thwart the growth of cancer. Dandelion extract has proven especially helpful in combating the spread of breast cancer. Tap into nature’s medicine cabinet by including these plants in your diet The medicinal plants highlighted in this study offer intriguing possibilities for enhancing health and reducing cancer risk. While not all of these plants are common garden varieties or suitable for home cultivation, there are ways to incorporate their benefits into your life: Explore traditional herbal remedies: Many plants studied, such as Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Moringa oleifera, have long histories in traditional medicine. Consider incorporating these into your diet or exploring herbal supplements under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Embrace culinary herbs: Some cancer-fighting plants, like Curcuma longa (turmeric), can be easily included in your cooking. These add both flavor and potential health benefits to your meals. Seek out specialized products: For plants like Annona muricata (soursop) or Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle), look for teas, extracts, or supplements from reputable sources. Grow what you can: While not all medicinal plants are suitable for home gardens, some, like Hibiscus, can be grown in pots or gardens, adding beauty and potential health benefits to your space. Remember, while these plants show promise in cancer research, they’re not a substitute for professional medical care. Always consult with a holistic healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet or starting new supplements, especially if you have existing health conditions or are undergoing cancer treatment. Sources for this article include: MDPI.com Planet-today.com To read the original article click here.

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8 Simple Ways You Can Help Beneficial Bugs Survive

The AHA! Team — Fri, 24 May 2024 08:04:28 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – ‘Good’ insects like bees and parasitoids are essential to our existence but their survival is threatened. Here’s what you can do assure their future. Mosquitoes can be dangerous. Flies are annoying. Cockroaches are disgusting. But not all bugs are bad. On the contrary, many types of insects are essential to our existence. And some, including the bees that pollinate our food crops, are in danger. According to the Daily Climate, “every year there are slightly fewer butterflies, fewer bumblebees — fewer of almost all the myriad little beasts that make the world go round.” A recent study found that insect populations on land are decreasing by 0.92 percent per year. That would mean 24% fewer insects in 30 years. Some scientists fear this decline could damage ecosystems beyond the point of recovery. A Canadian study in 2020 found that North American bumblebee populations have nearly halved, and European bumblebees decreased by 17%. So, what can we do to preserve beneficial insects, even if we are not scientists or agronomists? We asked Tamar Keasar, a professor of insect ecology and behavior at the Department of Biology and the Environment on the Oranim campus of the University of Haifa. Her lab studies pollination ecology and biological control in Israel’s agricultural and natural areas. Keasar suggests eight simple actions you take in and around your own home. Share these tips with family, friends and neighbors, to conserve beneficial insects near our homes, and to enjoy their amazing ecological services. 1. Provide nesting places for bees “We are all familiar with honeybees. But there are many other kinds of bees that help pollinate our crops and wildflowers. Israel has more than a thousand species of wild bees,” Keasar says. “Unlike honeybees, most wild bees do not live in colonies. Instead, each female bee makes her own nest where she lays eggs. Some wild bees nest in the soil, and others nest within dry twigs, old walls and even snail shells,” she explains. “By exposing some sunny, dry ground in your backyard, you can create a bee-friendly nesting area. Or you can set up bunches of reeds or even drinking straws to create a ‘bee hotel’ in any outdoor area.” 2. Treat swarms gently “A honeybee swarm may appear near your home or in your garden. This happens when large groups of bees leave the hive where they grew up, and search for a new place to settle. Don’t panic! While you probably don’t want the bees to remain next to your home, many beekeepers would love to have them,” says Keasar. Contact your local beekeepers’ association or bee rescue volunteers, who know how to capture and remove the swarm carefully. 3. Grow plants for bees “Bees get their entire nutrition from flowers. In hot and dry countries such as Israel, flowering plants are rare in the summer and fall, so bees may go hungry. But you can help,” says Keasar. “By growing summer- and autumn-flowering plants, you can tide bees over these difficult seasons. Local plants with nectar- and pollen-rich flowers are best. If you live in Israel, consider planting a carob or a tamarisk tree.” 4. Grow a variety of plants for parasitoid wasps Parasitoid wasps are tiny insects — most are smaller than 1/16th of an inch, or 2 millimeters – and they do not sting humans. “Despite being very diverse and abundant, we often don’t notice parasitoids because of their small size,” says Keasar. “Yet parasitoids are important beneficial insects because they help control pests that infest our food crops and gardens. The young stages of parasitoids wasps feed on other insects, such as aphids or moths — many of which are crop pests,” she says. “The adults, on the other hand, often eat flower nectar and this improves their survival and reproduction. Unlike bees, parasitoids usually feed from small shallow flowers that they can access with their tiny mouthparts. They will thrive on a small bed of flowering buckwheat or coriander in your backyard or balcony.” 5. Diversify your garden “Humans need a varied diet to obtain all the nutrients they need, and so do beneficial insects. For example, bees need to feed on pollen from different plants to achieve the correct balance between different types of fatty acids,” Keasar explains. While many modern farms have huge fields dominated by a single crop, you can provide a healthier balanced diet for bees and parasitoids by growing mixtures of different flowers in your garden or on your balcony. 6. Monitor before you spray We often use pesticides to control nuisance insects such as cockroaches, mosquitoes or ants in our homes and gardens. Sometimes, we use insecticides as a prevention strategy before we even see these pests at home. Keasar advises not to do this. “Insecticides carry health hazards for humans and pets; they are expensive; and they harm beneficial insects. ‘Good bugs’ may suffer from insecticides through lower survival, reduced fertility, or impairment of flight, learning and navigation,” she explains. “To reduce these hazards, look out for the household pests, and spray to control them only after they’ve actually infested your home.” 7. Use selective insecticides When you do spray, choose a bug killer targeted to the specific insect you’re trying to get rid of, rather than a broad-range product. “Using such selective insecticides against household pests carries lower risk for bees, parasitoids and other beneficial insects. Look for, and avoid, insecticides labeled as highly toxic to bees, wildlife and aquatic invertebrates.” 8. If you like butterflies… In the United States, the iconic black-and-orange monarch butterfly is declining in numbers to the point where it may be declared an endangered species. But Keasar explains that butterflies generally aren’t considered beneficial because their larvae are serious agricultural crop pests. And the adults are only marginally important as pollinators. However, if you are interested in conserving butterflies for their beauty, the steps you take can have the side effect of preserving other insects that may be more beneficial or more threatened, but less pretty and charismatic. The US Fish & Wildlife Service suggests planning a “pollinator garden” with plants that bloom in different seasons and can be placed in fully or partially sunny areas. Native milkweed is a particular favorite of monarch butterflies. To read the original article click here.

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