Chinese herb has cancer-fighting properties
By Better Health Research News Desk • Nov 26th, 2008 • Category: General Health, Health News, Health Resources News
A Chinese herb that is already used to treat minor wounds and cold sores may also be beneficial for women who suffer from endometriosis and some types of cancer, a new study suggests.
Research published in the journal Biology of Reproduction suggests that Prunella vulgaris (PV) has powerful anti-estrogen properties which may help inhibit abnormal cell growth, Cancer Monthly reports.
Scientists from the Greenville Hospital System in South Carolina said that they discovered the benefits of the herb while looking for a natural alternative to conventional anti-estrogen drugs such as tamoxifen, which may have harmful side effects.
They experimented by using PV in mice with endometriosis, finding that the herb was able to combat the growth of endometrial tissue. It was also judged effective at reducing the growth of cancer cells.
"My interest in the herb is the fact that we can block the action of estrogen and do it in a way that has very few side effects," commented researcher Dr. Bruce Lessey, according to the news provider.
He suggested that women may be interested in using the herbal supplements in place of anti-estrogen medication because they are all-natural.
The PV plant is also known by the name "common self-heal."
Loading ...