The dried leaf or extract of the Artemisia annua plant or its natural derivative artemisinin are available as supplements. Preclinical (lab or animal) studies have shown some anticancer effects but clinical evidence is extremely limited.
Astragalus is one of the most commonly used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Astragalus may improve clinical response to chemo/radiotherapy while improving quality of life and reducing some side effects.
Berberine, an active ingredient in many plants, shows benefits in improving some body terrain factors—especially high blood sugar—and may substantially reduce the recurrence of polyps in the colon that can become cancerous.
Medical cannabis and cannabinoids in raw or dried flowers, oils, capsules, powders, edibles, and topicals may reduce pain, and some evidence shows benefit with nausea, vomiting, and sleep, but little evidence of improving treatment outcomes.
Turmeric, with the active component curcumin, is both a food and dietary supplement that may enhance response to conventional treatment, help manage some side effects, and support body terrain.
Diindolylmethane (DIM) is created naturally when you digest cruciferous vegetables and is available as a supplement. DIM may improve cancer markers among people with prostate cancer and improve certain hormone imbalances.
This dietary supplement may help improve survival or response to conventional treatment for certain cancers, though the body of available research is limited.
This food and dietary supplement may slow the growth of prostate and breast cancers. Adding flaxseed to the diet may also support better blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.
Grapes and products made from grapes may promote body terrain factors known to be important in cancer, including better blood sugar and insulin levels and less oxidative stress.
Green tea and its extracts may reduce risk for certain cancers, plus support your body terrain by reducing body weight, blood sugar, and oxidative stress.
Iodine is needed for thyroid function, and a deficiency is linked to higher risk of thyroid and stomach cancers. Preliminary evidence suggests iodine supplementation may improve treatment outcomes and side effects among people with breast cancer.
Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding lycopene’s effects with cancer.
Melatonin is a hormone your body naturally produces as part of your circadian rhythm. Melatonin supplements taken alongside conventional therapy may help improve survival and remission rates. They may also help reduce many side effects.
Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding milk thistle’s and silymarin’s effects with cancer.
Mistletoe is a woody plant and its extracts are most commonly administered as an injection or an intravenous infusion. Mistletoe may improve quality of life among people with cancer, often by reducing side effects of treatments.
Modified citrus pectin is a plant-based dietary supplement with very preliminary evidence of anticancer and antimetastatic effects.
Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding Omega-3s’ effects with cancer.
Pomi-T® is a food supplement containing green tea, broccoli powder, turmeric powder, and pomegranate whole fruit powder; it shows benefits among men with rising PSA levels due to prostate cancer.
Probiotics are living microorganisms that can provide a health benefit, and prebiotics are fibers that feed these friendly bacteria in the gut. Good evidence supports use of probiotics, sometimes with prebiotics, to manage gastrointestinal symptoms related to cancer treatments and to support recovery after surgery.
Psilocybin, which is produced by many species of mushrooms, is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound which has shown substantial effects for managing anxiety and depression among people with cancer.
Quercetin, found in many plant-based foods and available as a supplement, is linked to improved body terrain and lower risk of several types of cancer.
Reishi mushroom is a natural product that may enhance immunity and response to chemo/radiotherapy, improve quality of life, and manage some side effects.
Resveratrol is a natural antioxidant compound found in grape skins and other foods and widely available as a supplement. It is linked to body terrain that is less favorable to cancer growth and spread.
Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding soy’s and genistein’s effects with cancer.
Extracts of turkey tail mushroom and its constituent PSK, used with conventional cancer treatment, may improve survival and reduce risk of recurrence.
Vitamin C can be given intravenously. Preliminary evidence suggests better survival among people with certain cancers using IV vitamin C alongside conventional treatment. IV vitamin C may also help manage some treatment side effects.
Vitamin C, available in many foods and in supplements, may improve survival among people with breast cancer. It may also lower inflammation and oxidative stress, and help manage some side effects.
Optimal vitamin D blood levels are linked to better survival, better conditions—body terrain factors—that are linked to better cancer outcomes, and lower risk of cancer.
Our predecessor site BCCT summarizes the evidence regarding vitamin E’s effects with cancer.
Zyflamend, an extraction of herbs and other natural products, shows very preliminary clinical evidence, supported by preclinical evidence, of anticancer effects, especially for prostate cancer.
