Used for thousands of years in TCM, Psoralea corylifolia treats a variety of diseases from heart disease to cancer

Psoralea corylifolia or babchi is a medicinal herb that is popular among traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda practitioners. It is used to treat various skin diseases, including rashes, psoriasis, leprosy, and leucoderma – a condition that causes the appearance of white patches due to loss of melanin. However, several studies have reported that P. corylifolia has other clinical applications, and these can … Continue reading Used for thousands of years in TCM, Psoralea corylifolia treats a variety of diseases from heart disease to cancer

Sulforaphane, a compound in cruciferous vegetables, found to kill colon cancer cells

An increasing number of studies have recently emerged promoting the benefits of eating cruciferous vegetables. These vegetables are not only rich in dietary fiber that supports digestive health, but they are also good sources of phytonutrients that can reduce the risk of cancer. For instance, isothiocyanates, which are formed through the breakdown of glucosinolates found in … Continue reading Sulforaphane, a compound in cruciferous vegetables, found to kill colon cancer cells

Behind the scenes: Chebulinic acid, an active ingredient of popular Ayurvedic medicine triphala, has anti-tumor properties

Triphala is a known Ayurvedic medicine that could treat various diseases. Not only is it used in other traditional medicine practices inspired by Ayurveda, but it is also known for its medicinal properties, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory. In a recent study, researchers from China focused on the antiproliferative activities of two of its … Continue reading Behind the scenes: Chebulinic acid, an active ingredient of popular Ayurvedic medicine triphala, has anti-tumor properties

Prevent and fight cancer with allium and cruciferous vegetables

Whenever studies report about anti-cancer foods, fruits and mainly vegetables top their lists. These fibrous, plant-based foods are rich in chemical compounds that can prevent, halt the progression of, and even fight several diseases. After years of investigating, researchers have finally identified these valuable sources of cancer-fighting chemicals as cruciferous and allium vegetables. What’s even better is that both types of vegetables can … Continue reading Prevent and fight cancer with allium and cruciferous vegetables

Cordyceps mushrooms found to protect from allergens

Cordyceps is a genus of club-shaped parasitic fungi that are known to kill underground insects and arthropods. The most widely collected of these mushrooms is Cordyceps militaris, which is known for mummifying insects and using them as sources of biomass to produce spores. In a recent study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine, researchers from Southern Taiwan University of Science and … Continue reading Cordyceps mushrooms found to protect from allergens

Ginseng phytonutrient Ginsenoside Rg3 effective against hepatocellular carcinoma

Researchers from Sichuan University and the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College evaluated the bioactive compound ginsenoside Rg3, a component of ginseng, and its potential against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Their study was published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine. The sodium-hydrogen exchanger 1 (NHE1) plays a key role in the growth and development of HCC. It … Continue reading Ginseng phytonutrient Ginsenoside Rg3 effective against hepatocellular carcinoma

Study investigates the anti-leukemia potential of Australian raspberry

There is hope for patients with leukemia. A study by researchers from Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital and Zhejiang Chinese Medical University in China found a potential cure for this disease in Australian raspberry (Rubus parvifolius). Their findings, which were published in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, showed that total saponins from Australian raspberry have potent antitumor effects against leukemia cells in vivo. … Continue reading Study investigates the anti-leukemia potential of Australian raspberry

The powerful antihyperlipidemic effect of celery seeds

It’s nice to munch on a few sticks of celery (Apium graveolens) every now and then, but these aren’t the only beneficial parts of the plant. Numerous studies have shown that celery seeds confer many health benefits as well. Recently, a team of scientists from India found that one of the possible therapeutic uses of celery seeds … Continue reading The powerful antihyperlipidemic effect of celery seeds

Sulforaphane from broccoli and cruciferous vegetables selectively destroys cancer cells

Research details published in the Molecular Nutrition & Food Research journal explains the potent mechanism exhibited by cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower to ameliorate developing cancer cells. The active photochemical known as sulforaphane targets prostate and other hormone dependent cancer lines and leaves normal healthy cells unaffected. Cruciferous vegetables have long been associated with a … Continue reading Sulforaphane from broccoli and cruciferous vegetables selectively destroys cancer cells