Indian herbs and spices are more than just a delicious way to enhance your favorite curry dishes. They've always been valued in some cultures for their healing properties, and now some of these herbs are being used to develop affordable drugs that can fight cancer with fewer side effects than traditional cancer medications.

Scientists at the BARC laboratory near Chembur are currently working hard on getting these promising solutions to the masses. One such herb is rampatri, which has earned the nickname "false nutmeg." If you're not familiar with Mangalorean or Goan cuisine, you might not be aware this spice even exists, but studies on mice show it to be a potent remedy against neuroblastoma and lung cancer. The herbal drug that is being developed from the spice reduces tumors, while boosting the effectiveness of other chemotherapy drugs that are taken concurrently.

Two of the other drugs in development include a radioprotector and a radiomodifier. The radiomodifier can enhance the effectiveness of radiotherapy while protecting the body's tissues, gastrointestinal system, lungs and lymphocytes from radiation injury. The drug shows a lot of promise, and is currently awaiting a patent, after which it will undergo clinical trials in Parel.

The radioprotector is something that can be taken before and after exposure to radiation to minimize injuries and death. It could also help the public in the event of accidental exposure like that which affected many people following the nuclear explosion in Fukushima. Radiation exposure can affect a person's reproductive organs, bone marrow and gastrointestinal system, but just one dose of the radioprotector being developed by BARC was shown to protect mice from all of these problems while boosting their lifespans.

BARC head, Dr. S. Chattopadhyay, said: "The pre-clinical results observed with the new radioprotector are better than any radioprotector discovered so far."

Turmeric another healing herb

This is very exciting news, but probably won't come as much of a surprise to longtime Natural News readers. We've been reporting on the many benefits of turmeric, for example, for many years. Its active ingredient, curcumin, has been shown to help prevent various types of cancer such as colon, liver, lung, breast and stomach cancers, thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric can also help prevent strokes and heart attacks because of its ability to thin the blood and prevent clotting. It's also known to reduce LDL cholesterol levels, while raising "good" HDL cholesterol levels.

Ginger root helps with a number of ailments

Ginger root is another powerful herb that is often used in Indian cooking. Some people are already aware if its ability to alleviate nausea and vomiting, but did you know that it can also help relieve migraines and protect the brain? In one study, it outperformed all of the currently known high blood pressure herbal remedies, and it can also support cardiovascular health.

If you pay attention, you will discover that nature has provided us with countless remedies to the problems our bodies face. And the best part is that many spices are affordable, easy to obtain, and have few – if any – side effects.

Experiment with spices and herbs to find a combination that is satisfying to your palate and beneficial to your body. Start your day with some black cumin seed oil mixed into honey, add a generous sprinkling of cinnamon to your oatmeal, sip some refreshing ginger tea, make a flavorful curry with turmeric or add some crushed, raw garlic to your salad.

Source:
courtesy of NATURALNEWS

by Isabelle Z.

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