Cachexia - Poor Appetite - Breast Cancer - Cancer Herbs

Phytolacca Syrup

Phytolacca Syrup is another formula developed by Dr. Eli G. Jones, the Eclectic physician of the turn of the last century who specialized in cancer treatment.

This tonic contains poke root, gentian, dandelion, and essential oil of lemon. Dr. Jones advised its use with older patients and those whose appetites are poor. He also suggested that people with breast cancer whose breast is hard "like old cheese" use this syrup. In addition, he prescribed it for patients with tumors of the throat, uterus, and rectum. For those with cancer of the tongue, he added potassium iodide to the basic tonic.

Gentian

Gentian is a popular digestive bitter. It is an ingredient in the famous Angostura Aromatic Bitters. It is used to stimulate the appetite and promote production of gastric secretions. As such, it is often used to overcome both anorexia and cachexia. but some traditional uses include topical applications on skin tumors.

Daniel Mowbry, author of The Scientific Validation of Herbal Medicine, adds a highly interesting note: "Gentian root increases the sensitivity of many glands and organs to the effect of adrenalin”.

Dandelion

Dandelion—from the French for "Lion's Teeth"— is a common weed throughout the Northern hemisphere. Much as gardeners may find it a nuisance, insects and birds love dandelions and help to assure its survival against the ravages of Round Up and other threats to existence.

Both the leaves and roots are used medicinally, mostly for liver complaints and sometimes as a blood tonic. Depending on the soil in which the plant is grown and when it is harvested, the root can contain as much as 24% inulin, a prebiotic, and most agree it also helps the body to produce friendly intestinal bacteria, such as bifidus. What is less certain is whether inulin also performs an immune function, enabling T-cells to function better. Inulin is also sometimes credited with the ability to protect against angiogenesis.

Quite a lot of research has been performed on dandelion. In China, it has a long tradition of use with breast cancer, but the Japanese are studying it in connection with ascites.

Dandelion is found in many grain coffees, patent medicines, and herbal formulas. It is a diuretic and can be used in cooking as well as medicine. There is no toxicity, and you can eat dandelion greens in more or less the same manner that you would salad greens or spinach.

Phytolacca

See the synopsis of this important herb on the page on Algonquin Drops.

This formula has been slightly modified. The original Jones formula called for two parts fresh green phytolacca root and one part each, gentian and dandelion. Our syrup is made with honey instead of sugar, and we have added essential oil of lemon because of studies concerning the antitumor effects of limonene, especially in breast cancer. According to Kurt Schnaubelt in his textbook Medical Aromatherapy, lemon oil is anti-infectious as well as detoxifying and regenerating to the liver.