The Chinese Herb That Fights Cancer

As scientists examine how traditional Chinese herbs affect human health, they are making astonishing discoveries. And now researchers have identified an herb that can help fight cancer.

Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center, in San Antonio, shows that the bark of the Amur cork tree (Phellodendron amurense) can inhibit pancreatic cancer as well as other cancers.

The scientists found that the bark extract blocks metabolic pathways that promote pancreatic cancer. The extract also slows down the scarring process (fibrosis) that enables tumors to resist anti-cancer drugs.

“Fibrosis is a process of uncontrolled scarring around the tumor gland,” says researcher A. Pratap Kumar, a professor of urology.

The cork tree extract is sold as a dietary supplementand has been established as safe. Kumar is also investigating its usefulness in fightingprostate cancer.