Skin cancer tends to be one of the most common forms of cancer chiefly because the sun’s rays act as its cause. Other than basal cell carcinoma, there exist other forms of skin cancer such as Kaposi’s sarcoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma that are caused by the herpes virus.
Herbal treatments for skin cancer are increasingly becoming popular because they cause lesser side effects. One can supplement the conventional medications with herbs for treating skin cancer. However, one should use herbs only with prior consultation with doctor. Here are some of the best herbs for treatment of skin cancer.
Herbal Remedies For Skin Cancer
Cat’s Claw
This particular herb has amazing immune-boosting properties and anti-carcinogenic properties. It is also a renowned adaptogen. Cat’s claw increases the clean-up process of white cells. It decreases size of the tumors that cause skin cancer. It also helps in reducing side effects of conventional skin cancer therapies like radiotherapy and chemotherapy.Recommended dosage of cat’s claw for treatment of skin cancer is 1000mg thrice daily. However, pregnant women and nursing mothers should avoid using this herb. Organ recipients and people on anti-coagulant drugs should also avoid using this drug.
Sage
This particular herb contains many essential nutrients that holistically improve the health of an individual. The component in sage herb that prevents skin cancer is vitamin A because of which the herb has strong antioxidant properties. It also helps maintain healthy skin and mucus membranes. It not only prevents skin cancer but also lung cancer and oral cavity cancer. Besides, sage leaves contain vitamin C – the antioxidant vitamin.
Since vitamin C is required for synthesis of collagen, the structural proteins, it ensures health to skin, bones and blood vessels. Also, regular intake of vitamin C boosts immunity and inflammation-inducing free radicals thereby preventing cancer-like diseases. Sage herb also contains manganese that is used as a co-factor of superoxide dismutase (antioxidant enzyme) by the body.
Green Tea
Green tea prevents cell division among cancerous cells and can really help in warding off skin cancer at its earliest stages. Regular consumption of green tea reduces risks of skin cancer caused by ultraviolet rays of the sun. UV rays are one of the primary causes that lead to growth of tumor cells and damage of DNA.
Green tea is especially helpful for those skin cancers that are caused by free radicals due to exposure to the sun. The active agent in green tea namely polyphenols have amazing antioxidant properties that inhibit growth of cancerous cells. Green tea can also be applied topically on the skin for skin benefits.
Red Clover
This particular herb enables new blood vessels to form and hence inhibit the growth of the tumor. The anti-cancer properties of red clover are due to the presence of biochanin-A, chlorogenic acid, coumarin, caffeic acid, formononetin, etc. Recommended dosage of red clover for treatment of skin cancer is 500mg to be taken four times daily.
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has amazing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties that ward off tumor promoters leading to development of skin cancer.It is well known to reduce to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy. Recommended dosage of milk thistle for treatment of skin cancer is 150mg thrice daily.
Turmeric
Turmeric is well known for its anti-inflammatory as well as antioxidant properties. Its active agent curcumin destroys melanoma cells and prevents them from growing. These melanoma cells are primary causes of skin cancer. It shrinks the cancer tumors and prevents continuous blood supply to cancerous cells thereby causing their death.
