While it may not quite be a case of:
“Eye of newt and toe of frog,
Wool of bat and tongue of dog,
Of the ravin’d salt-sea shark,
Root of hemlock digg’d i’ the dark,
Double, double, toil and trouble:
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
(William Shakespeare ‘Macbeth’ 1606)…
…bioactive compounds from plants have been harvested and deployed for a variety of purposes, not least in health and medicine, since before the dawn of agriculture more than 10 000 years ago. The fact that many of the most potent pharmaceuticals and poisons known to man are of natural, plant origin is often over-looked by the more ardent proponents of all things ‘organic’!
By the nineteenth century serious attempts were being made to provide a scientific rationale for observations of allelopathic phenomena. One of the best known identities of this period was Augustin Pyrame de Candolle. As early as 1805 he wrote on the topic of root excretions and applied these studies in the context of crop rotation. The technology of the day, however, did not permit him to identify the bioactive compounds which he perceived to be present. As Willis (2002) writes: “To many, de Candolle is the real father of allelopathy….he developed a perspicacious theory of plant interaction, relevant to agriculture and natural ecosystems, based on chemical substances assumedly released from plants”. Perhaps de Candolle should be recognized as the grand-father of allelopathy? In any event, it was appropriate that the acknowledged father of allelopathy, Hans Molisch, should feature in the first article of the inaugural edition of Allelopathy Journal, published in 1994. It is precisely in the allelophatic properties of plants – through their ever-evolving ‘chemical arms race’ - that we have such immense molecular complexity which gives rise to their therapeutical value.
Clinical Herbal Studies and Research – A Brief Summary
Bai Hua She She Cao, Herba Oldenlandia
Oral indigestion of this herb was found to have a dose-dependent effect to enhance macrophage function in vitro and inhibit tumour growth in vivo.
Ref.: Wong BY, Lau BH, Jia TY, Wan CP. Oldenlandia diffusa and Scutellaria barbata augment macrophage oxidative burst and inhibit tumour growth. ‘Cancer Biother Radiopharm’ 1996 Feb; 11 (1):5-6
Dong Ling Cao, Herba Rabdosiae
Esophageal and cardiac cancer: In one study, 95 patients with middle-to-late stage esophageal and cardiac cancer were treated with preparations of this herb. Preparation I was made by mixing the herb with syrup (1:1 ratio); the treatment protocol was to give 20 to 30 ml three times daily for 2 to 3 months per course of treatment. Preparation II was made by incorporating 4.5 to 5 grams of the herb into pills three times daily for 2 to 3 months per course of treatement. Preparation III was made by mixing 75 to 100 mg of the active ingredient, rubescensine A, in 500 ml of D5W; the treatment protocol was to infuse the preparation IV every other day until a total of 3000 to 3500 mg of compound had been given. The study concluded the rate of effectiveness was 26.7% for Preparation I, 27.6% for Preparation II and 31.8% for Preparation III.
Liver cancer: According to one study, 31 patients with primary liver cancer were treated successfully with preparations of this herb. Improved appetite and reduced pain were reported in 80% of the subjects. The survival rate after treatment was 29.6% after 6 months, 12% after one year and 10% after 2 years.
Ref.: Xian Dai Zhong Yao Li Xue (Contemporary Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs), 1997; 1468-1469; and He Nan Yi Xue Yuan Xue Bao (Journal fo Henen University of Medicine) 1976; (5):22.
Ban Mao, Mylabris
Liver cancer: In one study, 300 patients were treated with cantharidin, the active ingredient in Ban Mao, and chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The protocol for cantharidin was 0.25 to 0.5 mg three times daily. The study reported and all-over rate of effectiveness of 65% based on symptomatic evaluation and the tumour size in the liver. In another study, 2 to 6 pills of the herb (each pill contained 0.25 mg of cantharidin, Bai Ji (Rhizoma Bletillae), aluminium hydroxide, and others) were given to 800 patients with liver cancer daily with 45 to 60% showing positive results. There were reductions of symptoms, decrease of tumour size and 12.7% of patients remained alive after one year.
Breast tumour: In one clinical study, 42 patients with lobular hypertrophy of the mammary gland were treated with on overall rate of 83% effectiveness using oral, intravenous or intramuscular injection of Tian Men Dong. In another study, 72 patients with mammary cancer showed marked improvement using the same treatment protocols. For oral administration, the protocol was to weigh out 63 grams of the herb, remove the outer layer of the root, add a small quantity of grain-base liquor, steam the preparation for 30 to 60 minutes and ingest the herbs in three equally-divided doses daily.
Malignant lymphoma: According to one report, 41 patients were treated with an overall 87.9% effectiveness using an integrated approach of Chinese and Western medicine. Out of 41 patients, 23 received herbal treatment only, and 18 received the combination of herbs and chemotherapy treatments. The herbal treatment consisted of intravenous injection of Tian Men Dong and intramuscular injection of Bai Hua She She Cao (Herba Oldenlandia) twice daily for 3 to 6 months. The injectables contained dosages equivalent in decoction to 10 to 40 grams (with a maximum of 120 grams) for Tian Men Dong and 8 grams for Bai Hua She She Cao. Those who could not tolerate injections were converted to oral ingestion of the herbs three times daily. Recently, these two herbs have been use together in studies to treat fibrocystic breast disorders and cancer of the breast and lymphatic system.
Ref.: Yao Xue Tong Bao (Report of Herbology), 1980; 3:2 And: Jiang Su Yi Yao (Jiangsu Journal of Medicine and Herbology); Xing Yi Xue (New Medicine) 1975; 4:193
Dong Chong Xia Cao, Cordyceps
Malignant tumours in 30 patients were treated with 1.5 grams of the herb in concoction three times daily over 2 months. The study reported good improvement based on symptomatic assessment in 93% of the patients.
Ref.: Shang Hai Zong Yi Yao Za Zhi (Shanghai Journal of Chinese Medicine and Herbology) 1986; 10:25
Da Zao, Fructus Jujubae
Several anti-neoplastic components of this herb have demonstrated and inhibitory effect on cancer cells. Continuous administration of mashnic acid, one of the acitive components, for 14 days was more effective than 5-fluorouracil in inhibiting the growth of the cancer cells.
Ref.: Ibid.
Huang Qi, Radix Astragali
In an in vivo study, administration of the herb was associated with the reversal of cyclophosphamide-induced immune suppression.
Ref.: Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Immunity, 1988 Mar. 25(3):125
Tian Nan Xing, Rhizoma Arisaematis
Cervical cancer: In one study, 105 patients were treated with a 78% rate of effectiveness using both oral and topical applications of the herb. The treatment protocol was to start with an oral decoction starting with 15g/day and gradually increasing to 45g/day. In addition, local topical application was given using various dosage forms such as powder, suppository and injections.
Ref.: Zhong Yao Xue (Chinese Herbology) 1998; 1972; 17:8
E Zhu, Rhizoma Curcumae
Malignant cancer: Patients with various malignant cancers (stomach, lung, liver, esophageal) were treated with an IV infusion of herbal solution daily. The herbal injection was prepared by mixing 60 to 100 ml of 150% E Zhu solution with 500 ml of D5W. Out of 19 patients in the study, there was complete recovery in 1 case, marked effectiveness in 4 cases, satisfactory improvement in 3 cases and no response in 11 cases.
Ref.: Journal of Shandong University School of Medicine; 1980; 1:30
San Leng, Rhizoma Sparganii
Hepatic carcinoma: Patients were treated both with herbal injections and powder with a 43.3% rate of effectiveness. Out of 30 patients, marked improvement in 3, good improvement in 10 and no response in 17 was recorded.
Malignant tumour: In one study, 31 patients at terminal stage of cancers were treated with a herbal decoction. Marked improvement was seen in 5 patients, good improvement in 19 patients and no response in 7 patients.
Ref.: Zhong Liu Yu Fang Yan Jiu (Tumour Prevention Research), 1973, 1:31; Fu Jian Zhong Yi Xue Yuan Xue Bao (Journal of Zhejian University of Medicine) 1983; 3:31
Fu Ling, Poria
A herbal preparation was evaluated for its antineoplastic effects in 70 patients in the oncology department of Fouzhou hospital in China. Some patients were given the herbal decoction only, some used it together with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or surgery. In all patients, it was observed that the herb strengthens the immune system, improves liver and kidney function, increases appetite and body weight and minimized the adverse side effects associated with chemotherapy.
Fen Fang Ji, Radix Stephaniae Tetandrae
Lung cancer: Intravenous injections of a herbal preparation (180 to 300 mg of the herb mixed with saline or D5W) were given to 97 patients with promising results. The preparation showed a marked inhibitory effect on DNA and RNA of the cancer cells.
Ref.: Journal of Chinese Medicine; 1980; 3:597
Mandarin, Cantonese, Pharmaceutical Name
Therapeutic Action/Pharmacological Effects
San Leng King Sam Ling, Rhizoma Sparganii
Dispels blood stasis and masses, activates chi, carcinoma and malignant tumours, antineoplastic, caution with anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs*
Dispels blood stasis and masses, activates chi, antineoplastic, malignant growth, caution with anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs
Shui Zhi Soyi Jah, Hirudo, Leech
Dispels blood stasis, anticoagulant, caution: hirudin has same chemical composition as lepirudin (Refludan) *
Quan Xie Chuen Kit, Scorpio
Eliminates toxins, toxic heat and nodules, opens channels, breaks up tumours, antineoplastic, caution: overdose may occur with intake of 30-60 gr. **
Wu Gong Scolopendra, Centipede
Eliminates toxins, toxic heat and nodules, opens channels, breaks up tumours, antineoplastic, caution: Overdose may cause sudden drop in blood pressure & temperature, slow heart beat, dyspnea. At small doses it stimulates cardiac tissue, at large doses it paralyzes cardiac muscle and inhibits respiration. **
Ba Dou Fructus Crotonis, Croton Fruit (Seed)
Eliminates cold accumulation, phlegm & water,
antineoplastic, best applied topically as past, can be taken internally, but very toxic, max. dosage 0.3 gr., can cause severe toxic shock syndrome!
Xuan Shen King Yeun Sum – Radix Scrophulariae
Clears heat, toxins nodules & palpable masses, reduces gland swellings, antibiotic
Tian Men Dong Radix Asparagi
Clears heat, antibiotic, antineoplastic, breast tumours & malignant lymphoma, 20-25 gr. 3 times a day, steamed for 30-60 min. in grain-based liquor, seems to be particularly effective in combination with Bai Hua She She Cao (Herba Oldenlandia)
Jiao Gu Lan Rhizoma seu Herba Gynostemmatis
Clears heat, toxins, inflammation, antineoplastic, inhibits most types of cancer cell, use for all cancers, may cause drowsiness, sedation and mild stomach discomfort
Yan Dan Zi Fructus Bruceae
Clears heat & toxins, treats various cancers, use topically to dissolve hardenings, slightly toxic, internally use up to 30 seeds, remove shell, give in pill form due to extreme bitterness, as powder give 2 gr.
Ban Mao Mylabris, Blister Beetle
Eliminates toxins, dispels nodules & palpable masses, antineoplastic, best applied topically, very toxic, max. dosage 0.03-0.06 gr., very strong stimulation and irritating effect on skin, don’t apply over prolonged periods, caution: do not overdose **
Lu Feng Fang Nidus Vespae (hornet nest)
Clears toxins & relieves pain for mastitis and ulcerations with pus, tumour, fibrocystic breast disorder, necrosing nodules, antineoplastic, internally dry-fried & suspended in grain-based liquor, externally as wash or ointment
Shan Ci Gu Pseudobulbus Cremastrae
Clears heat & toxins, drains abscess & nodules, antineoplastic, tumours and breast carcinoma, slightly toxic, usual dosage 3-6 gr., toxic dose is 15-45 gr.
Bai Hua She She Cao Herba Oldenlandia
Clears heat, toxins, abscesses, various types of cancer, dose-dependent effect to enhance macrophage function in inhibiting tumour growth, suggested cancer dosage is 60 gr.
Zi Cao Gen Bah Gee Jao, Radix Lithospermi
Clears heat & toxins, invigorates blood circulation, antineoplastic properties by interfering with DNA sythesis of cancer cells at G2 phase
Ban Zhi Lian Boon Chi Lin - Herba Scutellariae Barbatae
Clears heat & toxins, tumours and generally anti-neoplastic properties, enhances macrophage function and inhibits tumour growth, reduces abscesses and swellings
* Certain Phytochemicals can cause potentially dangerous herb-drug interactions. Due to their synergistic properties some herbs will either inhibit or greatly increase the bioavailability of an active ingredient in drugs such as in anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines. Examples for anticoagulants are heparin, warfarin (Coumadin) and enoxaparin (Lovenox); examples for antiplatelet drugs include aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine) and clopidogrel (Plavix).
* * Quan Xie (Chuen Kit, Scorpio), as some other substances, is toxic. In case of
overdose, ingest 20 gr. Of Yuan Ming Fen (Natrii Sulfas Praeparata) to eliminate toxins through defecation and prepare detoxing formula with herbs such as Jin Yin Hua (Gam Ngam Fwa, Flos Lornica), Gan Cao (Gum Jao, Rx. Glycyrrhizae), Da Huang (Tai Wong, Rx. et Rhz. Rhei), etc.
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