The world of plants and their healing properties is huge. Let me still provide you with a preview of the cancer healing properties of herbs.
Hartwell (1969, 1970, 1971) surveyed and collected data on about 3000 plants known to possess anticancer properties. Half of all the anticancer drugs approved globally are based on or derived from natural products.
Over 60% of currently used anticancer agents are derived from natural sources such as plants, marine organisms, and microorganisms (Newman et al., 2003). Vinca (Catharanthus roseus or Vinca rosea, the Madagascar periwinkle) is one of the earliest vinca alkaloids, vinblastine, and vincristine sources. These molecules are used in chemotherapy. Semisynthetic derivatives of these alkaloids have since been developed.
Camptotheca acuminata, Ophiorrhiza pumila syn Mapia foetida are a source of colorectal cancer drugs. Semisynthetic analogs of this medicine have also been prepared. Taxanes derived from Yew trees (Taxus bacata) are used to manufacture taxanes (e.g., paclitaxel, docetaxel) used in chemotherapy.
There is ongoing research to identify herbs that could be effective in cancer treatment. Curcumin isolated from the common spice turmeric, for instance, has been shown to possess a lot of promise as a medicine for treating cancers.
Additional reading:
Natural Solutions – tri-series