Silybum marianum, colloquially identified as Carduus marianus, known as milk thistle, is an annual or biannual plant of the Asteraceae family.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver, kidney, and gall bladder problems. Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protect the liver from toxins, including certain drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can cause liver damage in high doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells.
Although a number of studies demonstrate that milk thistle can be helpful in follow deceases:
Cirrhosis
Multiple studies from Europe suggest benefits of oral milk thistle for cirrhosis. In experiments up to five years long, milk thistle has improved liver function and decreased the number of deaths that occur in cirrhotic patients. Although these results are promising, most studies have been poorly designed. Better research is necessary before a strong recommendation can be made. B
Liver disease (chronic)
Several studies of oral milk thistle for hepatitis caused by viruses or alcohol report improvements in liver tests. However, most studies have been small and poorly designed. More research is needed before a strong recommendation can be made. B
Acute viral hepatitis
Research on milk thistle for acute viral hepatitis has not provided clear results, and milk thistle cannot be recommended for this potentially life-threatening condition. C
Amanita phalloides mushroom poisoning
Milk thistle has been used traditionally to treat Amanita phalloides mushroom poisoning. However, there are not enough reliable studies in humans to support this use of milk thistle. C
Cancer
There are early reports from laboratory experiments that the chemicals silymarin and silibinin in milk thistle reduce the growth of human breast, cervical, and prostate cancer cells. There is also one report of a patient with liver cancer who improved following treatment with milk thistle. However, this research is too early to draw a firm conclusion, and effects have not been shown in high-quality human trials. C
Diabetes (in patients with cirrhosis)
A small number of studies suggest possible improvements of blood sugar control in cirrhotic patients with diabetes. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend milk thistle for this use. C
Dyspepsia (indigestion)
An herbal preparation containing milk thistle may be effective in decreasing symptoms of functional dyspepsia. However, milk thistle alone has not been researched. C
High cholesterol
Although animal and laboratory research suggests cholesterol-lowering effects of milk thistle, human studies have provided unclear results. Further studies are necessary before a firm recommendation can be made. C
Liver damage from drugs or toxins
Several studies suggest possible benefits of milk thistle to treat or prevent liver damage caused by drugs or toxic chemicals. Results of this research are not clear, and most studies have been poorly designed. Therefore, there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend milk thistle for this use. C
Menopausal symptoms
An herbal preparation containing milk thistle may be effective in decreasing menopausal symptoms. However, milk thistle alone has not been researched.
vibrancy to a room which is fairly plain
You should consult your doctor before taking any Herbal Remedies.
Numerous studies suggest that potential benefits of using green tea in daily ration includes such as
Anti-cancer properties affects show that growth of human lung cancer cells with a cell receptor called 67 LR is slowed significantly after drinking just two or three cups of green tea.
Another study from the Life Science journal Carcinogenesis showed that green tea, in combination with tamoxifen, is effective in suppressing breast cancer growth in vitro human breast cancer tumors and in vivo animal experiments in mice. A study at Taiwan’s Chung Shan Medical University found that people who drank at least one cup of green tea per day were five times less likely to develop lung cancer than those who did not.
It also increases metabolic rate
It has possible anti-diabetes effect
Boosts mental alertness
Boosts immune system
On 21 April 2003 the Brigham and Women’s Hospital released details of a research project which indicated that theanine may help the body’s immune system response when fighting infection, by boosting the disease-fighting capacity of gamma delta T cells. The study included a four-week trial with 11 coffee drinkers and 10 tea drinkers, who consumed 600ml of coffee or black tea daily. Blood sample analysis found that the production of anti-bacterial proteins was up to five times higher in the tea-drinkers, an indicator of a stronger immune response.
Population-based clinical studies indicate that the antioxidant properties of green tea may help prevent atherosclerosis, particularly coronary artery disease. (Population-based studies means studies that follow large groups of people over time or studies that are comparing groups of people living in different cultures or with different dietary habits.) Researchers aren’t sure why green tea reduces the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies show that black tea has similar beneficial effects. In fact, researchers estimate that the rate of heart attack decreases by 11% with consumption of 3 cups of tea per day. In May 2006, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected a petition from teamakers to allow tea labels to claim that green tea reduces the risk of heart disease. The FDA concluded that there is no credible evidence to support qualified health claims for green tea or green tea extract reducing the risk of heart disease.
High cholesterol
Atherosclerosis
Lowers chances of cognitive impairment
Lowers stress hormone levels
Effects on HIV and may be used as a complementary therapy for HIV patients.
Effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Effects on bad breath
Iron overload disorders
Effects associated with caffeine
Effects on obstructive sleep apnea-related brain deficits
Green tea may help prevent atherosclerosis, High cholesterol, Anti-venom effects, Cardiovascular health, Anogenital warts and more
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Reported that a growing body of laboratory research suggests the spice turmeric has potent anticancer activity and researchers have launched a slew of human trials to find out just how powerful it may be.
“I think the promise is enormous,” said Bharat Aggarwal, PhD, chief of the cytokine research laboratory in the department of experimental therapeutics at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Aggarwal has conducted numerous lab and animal studies of turmeric and its primary component, curcumin, and recently gave a lecture on the topic at the annual conference of the Society for Integrative Oncology.
Turmeric is a yellow powder made from the roots of a plant in the ginger family. It is the main ingredient in curry powder and is widely used in Indian and Southeast Asian cooking.
Many cultures also use turmeric for medicinal purposes, to treat everything from heartburn to arthritis. The idea to try turmeric against cancer developed as researchers learned about the role inflammation plays in cancer.
“Turmeric and curcumin are anti-inflammatory,” Aggarwal said. “That has been described in traditional medicine like Ayurveda for thousands of years.”
Lab and Animal Studies Show Effect on Many Cancers
The early lab research Aggarwal and others have done focuses on curcumin, the most active compound in turmeric. The studies show that curcumin can indeed slow inflammation. It also appears to slow the spread of cancer (metastasis), slow down the growth of new tumor blood vessels (angiogenesis), and cause cancer cells to die the way normal cells do (apoptosis).
What’s more, these effects don’t appear to be limited to just one type of cancer. Curcumin has shown effects in lab studies against metastatic melanoma, mantle cell lymphoma, and other cancers. Most recently, Aggarwal published a study in the journal Clinical Cancer Research showing that eating curcumin could keep breast cancer from spreading to the lungs ?– at least in mice. In addition, it appeared to enhance the positive effects of the chemotherapy drug paclitaxel and lessen the severity of its side effects.
However, not all research on curcumin has had such positive results. At least one laboratory study suggests curcumin may inhibit the action of other chemotherapy drugs, including camptothecin, mechlorethamine, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. That’s why it’s so important to conduct well-designed studies in people of how curcumin affects different types of cancer.
At MD Anderson alone, Aggarwal said, doctors are testing curcumin in multiple myeloma and advanced pancreatic cancer. The institution is also seeking funding for a study of curcumin in women with breast cancer, he said. Studies from other institutions, both in the US and overseas, are looking at curcumin as a potential treatment for myelodysplastic syndromes, and for preventing colorectal cancer in individuals with familial adenomatous polyposis or with sporadic polyps. Curcumin is also being studied as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and psoriasis.
via http://www.cancer.org