The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), one of the herpes viruses, is well known
to be linked to nasopharyngeal cancer. In fact one of the blood markers
for this type of cancer is an antibody test for the viral capsid antigen,
EBVCA-IgA/IgG.
Nasopharygeal cancer has a high incidence in the Kwangtung
(Cantonese) province of southern China, Hongkong, south-
east Asia, North Africa and the Eskimos of Alaska and Greenland,
due largely to genetic and dietary factors. It is particularly common
amongst the boat people of Hongkong, who subsist on salted
fish and vegetables preserved with nitrosamines.
An excerpt from an old Prevention Magazine book :
" No one knows why the cancer is common there as it is rare
here, but scientists at Ohio State University have recently
discovered that the transformation of EBV into a cancer-causing
agent seems to take place presence of certain chemicals found
in traditional Chinese herbal medicines that contain the plants from
the families Euphorbiaceae (euphorbia) and Thymelaeceae (thyme)
- known in the United States as varieties of spurge, daphne, mezereon,
hogwort, croton, poinsetta, crown-of-thorns, snow-on-the-mountain,
tung oil tree, pencil tree and candelebra. The plants, unfortunately,
are common in Southern China. "
(Tung oil is commonly used in paints, varnishes and
wood finishes.)
EBV has also been linked to Hodgkin's lymphoma (some
30-40% of cases). There are links with oropharyngeal (mouth
and throat) cancers, but the studies appear to be conflicting.
The human papilloma virus (HPV) has also been implicated to
a lesser extent in the above cancers.
http://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumNote that in Rain Tree's herbal guide for diseases below,
bitter melon has activity in Hodgkin's and both the above
types of viruses. Thus bitter melon may well be the herb of
choice for Hodgkin's.
The other herb noted as having common activity is vassourinha
(licorice weed, sweet broomweed, Scoparia dulcis). Note that it has
hypotensive and hypoglycemic effects. Should not be taken together
with antidepressants.
http://www.rain-tree.com/indicate.htmCancer :
Graviola, espinheira santa, mullaca, mutamba, vassourinha, bitter melon,
guacatonga, simarouba, cat's claw, anamu, pau d'arco, fedegoso,
sangre de grado, suma, amargo, copaiba
Hodgkin's Disease:
Bitter melon, graviola, pau d'arco, mullaca, vassourinha, anamu,
mutamba, cat's claw, espinheira santa, simarouba, suma
Epstein-Barr Virus :
Bitter melon, tayuya, cat's claw, suma, Brazilian peppertree, mullaca,
jergon sacha, macela, chanca piedra, vassourinha, clavillia
Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) :
Andiroba, bitter melon, sangre de grado, jergon sacha, copaiba,
vassourinha, clavillia, cat's claw, macela, mullaca, chanca piedra
Pau d'arco as recommended by Sentrysnipe is also
indicated under Hodgkin's, and is also a good choice
as lapachol inhibits EBV.
http://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumScoparia dulcis :
http://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumhttp://www.ncbi.nlm....l=pubmed_docsumThis link says that sodium ascorbate should not be used
in Hodgkin's, but I am uncertain as to why. Maybe other
users here could enlighten.
http://www.herbs2000...ins_disease.htm
Edited by tham, 31 August 2006 - 02:40 PM.