From left to right: Basil, Rosemary, Thyme, Lavender, Sage and Oregano
Herbs That Fight Cancer
There’s nothing like being able to grow your own food! An herb garden is a great option because it can be manageable if you aren’t feeling your best or don’t have much time or space. Herbs should be grown in a sunny spot whether in the ground or in a pot. Popping outside on a summer evening to harvest something fresh to add to dinner is so satisfying. Planting and tending to a small herb garden can bring a lot of joy. These are some of my favorite herbs that fight cancer. They add wonderful flavor and have therapeutic properties beneficial to cancer patients.
First it may be helpful to understand a few terms.
Antibacterial - substances that kill or suppress bacteria.
Anti-inflammatory - inflammation can be both good and bad. It is part of the body’s response to injury or infection. Chronic inflammation can lead to disease. Reducing inflammation is important for those with cancer.
Antimicrobial - prevent organisms like bacteria, viruses or fungi from causing infection or disease.
Antioxidant - Oxidation is a chemical reaction that produces free radicals that can damage cells which can lead to cancer. Antioxidants, which are produced internally and found in many foods, stop this process.
Antiseptic - prevents growth of organisms which cause disease.
Nuclear factor-kB or NF-kB - is a transcription factor (it turns on and turns off gene expression) that plays an important role in a variety of processes, including cell growth, development and survival as well as immune response and inflammation. Abnormal NF-kB activity can contribute to cancerous tumors.
1. Basil: It’s sweet pungent flavor is something most everyone loves.
Therapeutic benefits - In addition to having anticancer effects, basil is vitamin rich and contains compounds that are protective to cells during radiation treatment. It regulates NF-kB. Basil can also help with taste changes and irritation in the mouth and throat. It aids in digestion and is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antimicrobial. Its antioxidants are protective to the liver, brain and heart.
Tips - Basil is the most tender of all the herbs mentioned here. It is prefers plenty of sun and water.
I recommend picking it right before you use it. However, if you harvest it and need to store it, cut the stem and place it in water like you would a flower in a vase.
Favorite use: Pesto
2. Rosemary: It also boasts a pungent flavor to sweet and savory foods, such as apples and pears or potatoes.
Therapeutic benefits - it aids in digestion, is anti-inflammatory, and a NF-kB regulator. In animal studies, it has been shown to inhibit breast and skin tumor development. It also improves immune function.
Tips - Rosemary is among the heartiest of herbs. In many climates it is a perennial that can survive outside through the winter and live for years.
Favorite use: Roasted root vegetables and rosemary.
3. Thyme: There are more than a hundred varieties of thyme. It is delicious with fish, mushrooms and onions.
Therapeutic benefits - Thyme supports respiratory health and is soothing to sore throats and coughs. It also relieves indigestion, gastritis (inflammation of the lining of the stomach), diarrhea and gas. It serves as an appetite stimulant and is antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiseptic.
Favorite Use: Home-made cough syrup.
4. Lavender: Studies have shown that just the sight of lavender is calming. It’s sweet, sour flavor is delicious with fruit such as peaches or lemons as well as potatoes.
Therapeutic benefits: Lavender provides anti-leukemia and anti-tumor effects for liver, spleen and breast. It provides relief from indigestion, exhaustion, irritability, and headaches. It is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antitumoral, analgesic and a relaxant. Lavender is used for anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, gas, indigestion, nausea, vomiting and neuropathic pain.
Note - lavender fragrances are often made with synthetic ingredients and should be avoided.
Lavender belongs to the mint family. Certain varieties are best suited for culinary use.
Tips - Lavender likes well-drained soil. This has been one of the trickiest herbs to grow.
Favorite use: Tea ( I like Yogi Honey Lavender Stress Relief)
5. Sage - Sage is another perennial herb. It has a spicy, herby flavor that is often associated with stuffing at Thanksgiving but is also good with tart cherries, beans, eggplant and onions.
Therapeutic benefits - Sage is a terrific treatment for loss of appetite, gas, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea and inflammation of the stomach lining. It helps side effects of treatment.
Tips - Sage has been one of the easiest herbs to grow. The plant I bought several years ago has lived through the winter after being stored near a window in my garage.
Favorite Use: I must admit that while I’ve used it in a pear and sage jam recipe, it is not my favorite flavor.
6. Oregano - This is the first herb that comes to mind when I think of Italian food. Its peppery flavor is best enjoyed with tomatoes, pasta and pizza.
Therapeutic benefits: Oregano is antioxidant rich - more so than blueberries! It promotes wound- healing while preventing infection. It is a digestive aid, is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antibacterial. This can be especially helpful to your immune system while undergoing treatment. It is a good source of manganese and iron which are important to forming red blood cells. It may help to lower blood glucose levels.
Tip: Oregano, like many herbs, can be harvested and tied with kitchen twine and hung in a cool, dry place to dry out and use long into the winter.
Favorite use: Seasoning a variety of meals including asparagus wraps.
Growing Tips
I recommend buying organic seeds or plants and using organic soil. Most herbs do well with plenty of sun and consistent watering. If you should decide to fertilize, I recommend an organic fertilizer. When purchasing herbs, it is wise to purchase varieties that are best suited to growing in your geographic zone. This information can be found on the seed packet or the plant’s tag.
Happy planting! Happy harvesting! Savor the freshness herbs add to meals and reap the benefits of these powerful plants!
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to take the place of medical advice. Herbs contain powerful compounds that have the potential to heal but can interfere with absorption of some nutrients as well as interact with some forms of treatment - especially if they are concentrated in the form of supplements. Talk with your healthcare provider to learn about possible interactions with treatment as well as to learn about best ways (culinary herbs, teas, oils, tinctures, lotions or aromatherapy) to reap therapeutic benefits.
Comments