fighting cancer

[arnold layne]

hey all-
i decided to start a new thread for the new forum.

i have been using herbs as medicine for most of my adult life (as soon as i was old enough to make my own decision to refuse to go to western doctors). from infections to kidney stones, i try to use what my creator has put here for me to use to fix it.
currently, i am using herbs and alternative therapies to try to fix my mom (bad case of stage IV ocular melanoma, metastasis to the liver, lungs, spine, stomach, etc.). it's an uphill battle, as i try to tell her oncologist what i'm doing, and he tells me that it's all snake oil salesman stuff, and if it worked, he'd sell it.
he has tried chemo, radiation, and immuno therapy, and none has worked.
since he has exhausted his options, i figured i'd give it a shot.......

i have her on a few different things.
paw paw extract (Paw Paw extract contains (among other active ingredients) acetogenins-active compounds that modulate the production of ATP** in mitochondria of cancer cells. This reduces the growth of blood vessels that nourish cancer cells. It also inhibits the growth of MDR (multiple drug resistance) cells. No other alternative or conventional cancer treatment (except treatments from trees similar to Paw Paw) has shown any effectiveness against MDR cells. It is not advisable to take Paw paw with nutritional supplements like CoQ10 and thyroid stimulators, as these supplements enhance mitochondrial complex 1 activities and energy production, respectively. Likewise, antioxidants block programmed cell deaths (apoptosis) and can reverse the damaging effects of paw paw on the cancer cells.)

evening primrose oil (Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). Dr. Lupu and co-investigator Javier Menendez, PhD, research assistant professor of medicine, showed that treating cancer cells that overexpressed Her-2/neu with GLA not only suppressed protein levels of the oncogene but also caused a 30- to 40-fold increased response in breast cancer cells to the drug Herpetin™ (trastuzumab), a monoclonal antibody used for the treatment of many women with breast cancer.
"Treating the cancer cell lines with both GLA and Herceptin led to a synergistic increase in apoptosis [cell death] and reduced cancer growth," said Dr. Lupu. "Although further studies are necessary before GLA can enter clinical trials, these findings may reveal a previously unrecognized way of influencing the poor outcome of Her-2/neu-positive cancer patients.")

chinese wormwood (Artesunate (ART) is a derivative of artemisinin, the active principle of the Chinese herb Artemisia annua L. Artesunate is approved for the treatment of multidrug-resistant malaria and has an excellent safety profile. It has been shown that Artesunate, apart from its anti-malarial activity, has cytotoxic effects on a number of human cancer cell lines, including leukemia, colon cancer and melanoma. We report on the first long-term treatment of two cancer patients with ART in combination with standard chemotherapy. These patients with metastatic uveal melanoma were treated on a compassionate-use basis, after standard chemotherapy alone was ineffective in stopping tumor growth. The therapy-regimen was well tolerated with no additional side effects other than those caused by standard chemotherapy alone. One patient experienced a temporary response after the addition of ART to Fotemustine while the disease was progressing under therapy with Fotemustine alone. The second patient first experienced a stabilization of the disease after the addition of ART to Dacarbazine, followed by objective regressions of splenic and lung metastases. This patient is still alive 47 months after first diagnosis of stage IV uveal melanoma, a situation with a median survival of 2-5 months. Despite the small number of treated patients, ART might be a promising adjuvant drug for the treatment of melanoma and possibly other tumors in combination with standard chemotherapy.)

the liver seems to be the main point of metastasis. all chemo to date has been ineffective, and the liver is being taken over pretty rapidly.
liver functions are being impeded by the reduction of healthy liver mass.
to help the liver along, i'm using:
burdock root
rhubarb root
black pepper
clove bud
juniper berry
milk thistle
the above are given in tea form.
also, 1c steamed burdock root daily, salt baths daily (good for removing toxins), avoiding processed meats, cheeses, coffee, etc.
i'm collaborating with an alternative doc i just hooked her up with (more chinese herb leaning), and will update this thread as we put together a new protocol..
peace-
arnold layne
__________________

[arnold layne]

just got back from the doc's office.
it appears that a co. called "yogi tea" makes a detox tea that contains much of what my tea does, so for simplicity, i'll be using that (2 teabags per serving, 2x a day).
ingredients are:
sasparilla root
cinnamon bark
licorice root
ginger root
burdock root
dandelion root
cardamom seed
juniper berry
black pepper
clove bud
long pepper berry
chinese amur cork tree bark
japanese honeysuckle flower
forsythia fruit
gardenia flower
skullcap root
black cohosh root
chinese goldenthread root
rhubarb root
wax gourd
asian psyllium seed
to this i add 2 tsp freshly ground milk thistle seed.

the doc has also recommended that i add the following:
huang qi (radix astragali membranacei) 15g
xi yang shen (radix panax ginseng) 9g
bai zhu (radix atractylodes) 9g
fu ling (poria cocos) 15g
gan cao (radix glycyrrhizae) 9g
sha yuan ji li (semen astragalus) 15g
nu zhen zi (semen lingustrum lucidum) 10g
dang gui (radix angelica) 10g
shou di (radix rehmanniae) 10g
bai shao (radix paconiae lactiflorae) 10g
hei zhi ma (semen sesamum) 10g
he shou wu (radix polygonum multiflorum) 12g
bai ji li (semen tribulus terrestris) 12g
the amounts given are what my order was, to give you an idea of the ratios used.
i put 1T in a muslin tea bag, and add that to the yogi and milk thistle.
1 serving is a 16oz cup of prepared tea.
never ever use refined sugar to sweeten (cancer cells LOVE refined sugar).
this treatment will aid the body in removing the waste, assist the liver in it's job, and help to heal the damaged liver. it is also important to drink as much h2o as possible.

[arnold layne]

this is info found on the internet regarding the herbs that the doc recommended i add:

Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei): Modern research has confirmed repeatedly that Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei) increases both specific and non-specific immunity. In a clinical trial of 115 leucopenic patients, it was found the use of Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei) is associated with an "obvious rise of the white blood cell (WBC) count" with a dose-dependent relationship. In addition, Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei) works well with concurrent drug therapy in enhancing the overall effectiveness of the treatment. Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei) potentiates the anti-tumor effect of chemotherapy drugs,8 while reversing the drug-induced immune suppression. Lastly, Huang Qi (Radix Astragali Membranacei) also demonstrates anti-cancer activity as it increases the content of cAMP and inhibits the growth of tumor cells.

xi yang shen (radix panax ginseng)tonifying qi to improve cardiac function as in cardiac exhaustion, short of breath, palpitation, instant sweating, dropping of blood pressure; for pixu condition of weak digestive system, for prolapse of stomach, uterus and rectum, generates fluids and reduce thirst, for xinqixu (heart qi deficient) palpitations with anxiety, insomnia, forgetfulness, and restlessness. Medical Functions:
1. Regulates central nervous system.
2. Regulates circulatory system:
small amount: stimulates, large amount: suppresses;
small amount: improves memory;
prevents platelet coagulation;
3. Improves immune system
4. Anti Cancer
5. Anti aging
6. Anti stress
7. Prevents morphine from becoming habit-forming
8. Improves condition of diabetic patients
9. Increases aldosterone (antidiuretic action)



bai zhu (radix atractylodes)1. To replenish qi and cause yang to ascend; 2. To benefit qi and stabilize the exterior; 3. To release toxins and promote healing; 4. To promote water metabolism and reduce edema

Indications & Combinations

1. Deficient qi of the spleen and lungs manifested as poor appetite, loose stool, shortness of breath and lassitude. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Ginseng (Renshen) and White atractylodes (Baizhu). 2. Deficient qi and weakened yang manifested as chills and sweating. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Prepared aconite root (Fuzi). 3. Qi sinking in the middle jiao due to weakness of the spleen and stomach manifested as prolapsed anus, prolapsed uterus and gastroptosis. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Ginseng (Renshen), White atractylodes (Baizhu) and Cimicifuga rhizome (Shengma) in the formula Buzhong Yiqi Tang. 4. Failure of deficient qi of the spleen in controlling blood manifested as blood in the stool and uterine bleeding. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Ginseng (Renshen) and Chinese angelica root (Danggui) in the formula Guipi Tang. 5. Deficiency of qi and blood manifested as palpitations, anxiety, insomnia and forgetfulness. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Longan aril (Longyanrou), Wild jujube seed (Suanzaoren) and Polygala root (Yuanzhi) in the formula Guipi Tang. 6. Spontaneous sweating due to exterior deficiency. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Oyster shell (Muli), Light wheat (Fuxiaomai) and Ephedra root (Mahuanggen) in the formula Muli San. 7. Night sweating due to yin deficiency and excessive fire. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang) and Phellodendron bark (Huangbai) in the formula Danggui Liuhuang Tang. 8. Deficiency of the spleen leading to dysfunction in transportation and transformation of water manifested as edema and scanty urine. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Tetrandra root (Fangji) and White atractylodes (Baizhu) in the formula Fangji Huangqi Tang. 9. Boils and ulcers due to qi and blood deficiency manifested as sores that have formed pus but have not drained or healed well. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Cinnamon bark (Rougui), Chinese angelica root (Danggui) and Ginseng (Renshen). 10. Retardation of circulation of the blood due to deficiency of qi and blood manifested as hemiplegia. Astragalus root (Huangqi) is used with Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong) and Earthworm (Dilong) in the formula Buyang Huanwu Tang.

fu ling (poria cocos) a mushroom amphoteric (having the characteristics of an acid or base and capable of reacting chemically as either) in its ability to help regulate either high or low potassium and sodium balance. Traditional Chinese medicine uses Poria Cocos or Fu Ling to remove spleen dampness. Excessive dampness and deficiency of the spleen can be indicated by poor appetite, diarrhea and lassitude (weariness, listlessness). The herb Poria Cocos is also used in herbal remedies for insomnia, restlessness, fatigue, sleep disorder, tension, and nervousnes.

gan cao (radix glycyrrhizae)Indication 1. Invigorate vital energy: For syndrome of spleen-stomach 1-17-1.jpg (3470 bytes)deficiency; for those with deficiency of vital energy, used together with Radix Codonopsis Pilosulae and Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocepha for those with yang-deficiency,. used together with Rhizoma Zingiberis for those with deficiency of heart energy or heart-yang manifested shortness of breath, palpitation, chest pain and irrhythmia, usually used together with Ramulus Cinnamoni.

2. Clear away heat and toxic material: For serious heat-syndrome such skin infection, sore throat, etc. or drug and food poisoning.

3. Eliminate phlegm and relieve cough: For various types of cough and dyspnea.

4. Relieve spasm and alleviate pain: For spasm and pain of the abdomen and leg, arthralgia of wind-dampness-cold type and peptic ulcer, us together with Radix Paeoniae Alba.

5. Moderate the potency of drugs: For counteracting the toxicity side effects of potent drugs such as Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Radix Acaniti Praeparata, Radix Aconiti, etc. Also. used for adjusting the taste of drugs. Recently, used for virus hepatitis, thrombocytopenic purpura and anaphylactoid purpura.

Phamacological Action

Its chief active components are glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritin and liquiritigenin.

I. Its decoction can inhibit intestinal smooth muscles of rabbits in vitro, but glycynhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid have no this effect.

2. Possessing an adrenocorticomimetic effect.

3. Its extract and glycyrrhizin exerts a detoxifying effect.

4. Antitussive and antiasthmatic.

5.Gjycyrrhizin has an anti-inflammatory effect similar to hydrocortisone.
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[arnold layne]

to continue......

sha yuan ji li (semen astragalus) For liver and kidney deficiency, soreness in the lower back and knees, blurred vision, nocturnal emission, frequent urination, urinary incontinence, blood in the urine and leukorrhea.

nu zhen zi (semen lingustrum lucidum)Privet fruit (ligustrum) is a shrub native to China and eastern Asia, but is now grown ornamentally in the United States. Used for a wide range of conditions, privet fruit is a tonic for the liver and kidneys. It helps to lower liver enzymes, inhibits degeneration and reduces necrosis of liver cells.

dang gui (radix angelica)Dang Gui, Angelica sinensis, is used by men and women alike as a superb blood tonic. It is also an important blood vitalizing herb (e.g., it improves blood circulation). Men use it as a muscle building blood tonic. However, Dang Gui is most famous as a women's tonic, because women so often use it as a blood tonic and to regulate the female menstrual cycle. It is found in most women's tonic preparations.

shou di (radix rehmanniae)can soothe the liver, resolve stagnation, nourish the blood, and harmonize the blood.

bai shao (radix paconiae lactiflorae) Nourish blood and astringent to yin; calm liver yang manifested as dizziness, headache, insomnia; soothe liver energy and alleviate abdominal and chest pain.

hei zhi ma (semen sesamum)Supplements the liver and kidneys.

he shou wu (radix polygonum multiflorum)He shou wu is used for treating lymph node tuberculosis, cancer, and constipation. It is also used orally as a liver and kidney tonic; as a blood and vital essence toner; nourishing muscles, tendons, and bones. He shou wu is also used orally for hyperlipidemia, insomnia, limb numbness, lower back and knee soreness or weakness, premature graying, and dizziness with tinnitus.
Topically,He shou wu is used for sores, carbuncles, skin eruptions, and itching.

bai ji li (semen tribulus terrestris)Tribulus terrestris has a list of alternative names almost as long as its history. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is known as Ci Ji Li, Bai Ji Li or just Ji Li and is given to calm the liver and smooth the flow of liver qi. It is indicated for use in treating headaches, dizziness, premature ejaculation and spermatorrhoea (escape of sperm without orgasm). To Indian Ayurvedic practitioners the herb is called Burra Gokhru and is regarded as a diuretic, demulcent and aphrodisiac. The name Tribulus comes from the Latin word for trouble and refers to the plant's spiky seed pods. Caltrop, Puncturevine and Goat's Head are among its other English names

in addition to the functions listed, there are numerous synergystic effects that occur. i have no where near enough knowledge of chinese herbs to describe, let alone understand, how the different herbs work together...that's why we're seeing someone who knows chinese medicine. i trust he knows what he's talking about.
i no longer strain the herbal mix with the yogi tea, but rather make extra cups of tea with the herbal mix alone (1.5tsp per cup h2o, 3x a day), and let her ingest the ground herbs with the tea.
i feel that the full strength of the herbs can be had, and drinking an extra 3 cups of fluid a day will assist wit the flush.
.

be well and peace-
arnold layne

[arnold layne]

hey all-
just got back from taking mom and family to kauai, hawaii for a 9 day vacation.
i talked to a local out there who i was referred to by the folks that run one of the botanical gardens out there. he had some tales to tell about noni juice. looking around the 'net, i find that there is currently a clinical trial (phase 1) underway...
"This Phase I study of noni in cancer patients represents a first step in the systematic study of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practices that draw on Asian and Pacific Island cultural traditions of healing to control cancer and its related symptoms. Noni, extracted from Morinda citifolia or the Indian mulberry plant, is included in the traditional pharmacopoeias of Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders and Asian populations, and has been used to treat various diseases for hundreds of years. It is now commonly taken by cancer patients based on purported usefulness in the disease although there is little scientific evidence to either support or refute these claims. A large marketing enterprise and at least eleven different suppliers supports the food supplement's popularity. The broad long range objectives which this study will initiate are to define the usefulness of noni extracts for cancer patients. The hypothesis to be tested is that noni at a specified dosing provides cancer patients with a sufficient benefit to toxicity profile to be useful as a therapeutic. Specific aims of this study are: 1. Determine the maximum tolerated dose of capsules containing 500mg of freeze-dried noni fruit extract. 2. Define toxicities associated with the ingestion of noni. 3. Collect preliminary information on the efficacy of noni in respect to anti-tumor and symptom control properties to help select specific patients for subsequent Phase II studies. 4. Identify chemical constituents of the extract that can be used to characterize the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of noni food supplement.".

i also found this:
From Liquid Island Noni - The Tropical Fruit With 101 Medicinal Uses, by Neil Solomon, M.D., Ph.D., Woodland Publishing, Pleasant Grove, Utah, 1998, pages 16-18.

"It's likely that the synergy of noni's multiple phytonutrients act as an adaptogen, a nutritional substance that helps abnormal cells ("sick cells") function more normally. Important research on the medicinal uses of noni was presented at the 83rd, 84th, and 85th annual meetings of the American Association for Cancer Research. A landmark paper from researchers at the Departments of Pathology and Pharmacology at the John Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu, Hawaii, was presented at the 83rd meeting in San Diego, California, in 1992. The findings were subsequently summarized in the Proceeding of the American Association for Cancer Research, titled: "Anti-Tumor Activity of Morinda citrifolia on Intraperitoneally Implanted Lewis Lung Carcinoma in Mice." This simply means that noni has an anti-cancer effect when cancer cells are implanted into the abdominal cavity. The mice fed noni fruit lived 105-123 percent longer than the mice that were not, and 40 percent of those that were noni-fed lived for 50 days or more! This study was repeated numerous times, and each time the noni fruit was shown to significantly prolong the life of cancerous mice versus the cancerous mice without the noni fruit. The noni fruit may inhibit tumor growth. The increase in survival time averaged 119 percent after the administration of noni. There was an even greater increase in survival time when noni was administered along with a known anticancer medication, such as adriamycin, 5-fluorourcil (5FU), or vincristine.

More specifically, Cancer Letters reported that Keio University and the Institute of Biomedical Sciences in Japan claimed isolation of a new compound from noni, called damnacanthal. This work was done in Yokohama, Japan, in petri dishes, not in the human body. In layman's terms, noni may have turned precancerous cells into normal, healthy, functioning cells by slowing down cell multiplication at the gene level.

In 1994, A. Hirazumi and three colleagues reported in the Pharmacological Society Journal on the "Anti-cancer Activity of Noni in Mice with Lung Cancer." A year earlier Tomonori Hiramatsu and three other Japanese researchers had reported in Cancer Letters that after analyzing over 500 different plant extracts, the phytonutrient damnacanthal found in noni was a new inhibitor of some precancerous cells.

One of Dr. Harrison's patients had liver cancer and experienced swelling from excessive fluid in the abdominal area. Her oncologist aspirated (removed) her abdominal fluid and found cancer cells. After seven days on noni, the patient's abdominal swelling had significantly decreased. A new examination of the abdominal fluid showed that it was free of cancer cells.

In view of Dr. Judah Folkman's recently published findings from his experiments on mice at Harvard, it is possible that noni works in synergy with other micronutrients that decrease flood flow to tumors."

this was also interesting:

Inhibition of Angiogenic Initiation and Disruption of Newly Established Human Vascular Networks by Juice from Morinda Citrifolia (Noni)

Conrad A. Hornick1,3,5, Amy Myers, Halina Sadowska-Krowicka4 Catherine T. Anthony2, and Eugene A. Woltering2,5,6,7

Louisiana State Health Sciences Center- Departments of Physiology1, Surgery2, Pathology3, and Pediatrics4, The Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center5, and the Neurosciences Center of Excellence6; The Veterans Administration Medical Center7

Corresponding Author:
Conrad A. Hornick, Ph.D.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of Physiology
1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112

Running Title: Angiogenic Inhibition by Noni
Keywords: angiogenesis, noni, breast cancer, endothelial cells, apoptosis
full text here (http://www.resorthealth.com/noni_research/noni_cancer_1/noni-cancer-1.html)

so, it seems as tho there are some positive opinions floating around about this stuff.
in hawaii, the aged juice of the noni fruit is sold in drugstores along side other natural supplements and such. i got a few bottles at longs drugstore.
i'm hoping for the best.
we shall see what happens.
peace-
arnold layne

[PMoM]

might want to look into goji berries.. high in antioxidants which help fight cancer...

recently started my own goji plants