Echinacea is also known as coneflowers. It grows in Midwestern United Stated, in meadows or wet valleys. This wildflower is used for medical purposes but it also grown in gardens because of its beautiful purple blossoms.

This herb is very beneficial for many medical conditions. Thus, it enhances the function of the immune system as it stimulates white blood cells. Their function is to attack viruses and bacteria to prevent illnesses or infections. This property of Echinacea is very beneficial for individuals with AIDS whose immune system is very weak. Currently, a large numbers of studies and tests strive to make better research of this property of the herb because its full effect on people with AIDS and cancer is still not known very well.

Echinacea is also very effective for treatment of respiratory problems such as colds. Various researches have proven that Echinacea is also effective as an antiviral and antifungal treatment.

In Europe, the herb is used to treat some types of cancer. In addition, some medical specialists in Europe use Echinacea to cure infections of the urinary tract. But none of these practices are common in America.

Echinacea is also used to treat skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. This herbal plant is also included in products for treatment of hemorrhoid or for soothing of inset bites. Many people use the herb to protect their skin from sun damage.

In case you want to make tea of Echinacea, you should put 1-2 teaspoons of the herb in a cup full with unheated water. You should heat the mixture slowly until it boils and then simmer it for about 10-12 minutes. The Echinacea tea can be taken three times per day. If you prefer to use it as a tincture, you should take 1-4 milliliters three times per day.

Researchers analyzed data on 179,295 people, examining the association between use of mu tong and incidence of urinary tract cancer. Study results showed that having been prescribed more than 60 g of mu tong was associated with an increased risk of urinary tract cancer. The increased risk was independent of arsenic exposure (another risk factor for urinary tract cancer).

The study’s authors call for a ban on products that contain any amount of aristolochic acid. They also recommend that patients with a history of consumption of mu tong be monitored regularly for urinary cancer.

According to Dr. Aggarwal, “Everyone’s talking about how to get more affordable health care – cooking with spices is the easiest way to do it. The anti inflammatory abilities of turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and cayenne are absolutely remarkable – more effective than aspirin and many prescription meds, with no side effects.” There is a strong link between cancer and inflammation, making turmeric a top anti cancer spice worth adding to your daily dish. Dr. Aggarwal discovered in 1995 that turmeric is a powerful tumor suppressor. You can add turmeric in combination with other anti inflammatory herbs and spices to potatoes, white meats, and rice.

Individuals in cultures who cook with spices are found to be healthier. Compared to India, the incidence of breast, lung, prostate, and colon cancers is 50 times higher in the United States, and may be the result of cooking with anti cancer herbs and spices that should be combined for better health.

Garlic is a beneficial anti cancer herb that can be used to spice up most any dish, including a simple salad. According to the National Cancer Institute, “Several population studies show an association between increased intake of garlic and reduced risk of certain cancers, including cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast. Population studies are multidisciplinary studies of population groups that investigate the cause, incidence, or spread of a disease or examine the effect of health-related interventions, dietary and nutritional intakes, or environmental exposures. An analysis of data from seven population studies showed that the higher the amount of raw and cooked garlic consumed, the lower the risk of stomach and colorectal cancer.”

Ginger is a medicinal anti cancer herb that can be easily added to fish and vegetable dishes to provide a warm “flowery” taste to entrees or side dishes. Ginger can be used to cook chicken, added to salads for an Asian flare, and is delicious with broccoli that is also shown to prevent cancer. A study published 2006 from University of Michigan researchers showed that ginger could kill ovarian cancer cells. According to Jennifer Rhode, M.D., a gynecologic oncology fellow at the U-M Medical School, preliminary results of the study revealed “ginger induced cell death at a similar or better rate than the platinum-based chemotherapy drugs typically used to treat ovarian cancer.”

Anti cancer herbs can be substituted to help individuals curb salt intake. Typical Western salt laden diets are repeatedly shown to induce inflammation that leads to high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney disease that can also boost the risk of a variety of cancers. The same sensitivity to salt found in some individuals with specific gene variations has also been linked to cancer through the same inflammatory pathways that produce a wide array of diseases. Salt intake is linked to increased risk for diabetes, and diabetics are also at increased risk for cancer.

Experimenting with anti-cancer herbs and anti inflammatory spices and foods can be fun and may have the added benefit of weight loss as you place more focus on diet. There is no longer any doubt that inflammation produces a cascade of events responsible for most chronic diseases including cancer. Cooking with anti cancer herbs and spices is one of the smartest lifestyle changes you can make to naturally fight disease, avoid medications, and promote health and longevity. You may also want to explore Anticancer: A New Way of Life for more tips on how diet can reduce cancer risk and promote healing.