Because of high death rate associated with cancer and because of the serious side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, many cancer patients seek alternative and/or complementary methods of treatment The important preventive methods for most of the cancers include dietary changes, stopping the use of tobacco products, treating inflammatory diseases effectively, and taking nutritional supplements that and immune functions.
Chemotherapy, being a major treatment modality used for the control of advanced stages of malignancies and as a prophylactic against possible metastasis, exhibits severe toxicity on normal tissues. Plants have been used for treating various diseases of human beings and animals since time immemorial. They maintain the health and vitality of individuals and also cure diseases including cancer without causing toxicity.
Sixty two medicinal plants including Agave, Cannbis and Lantana are considered to be the anticancer plants. These medicinal plants of foreign origin possess good immunomodulatory and antioxidant phytochemicals protect the cells from oxidative damage. Thus, consuming a diet rich in antioxidant plant foods (e.g. fruits and vegetables) will provide health-protective effects.
(Source: Current Science, 2009)
