Nutrition, especially fruit and vegetable intake, has been reported to play an important role in the prevention of cancer. Herbs are among the most potent plant-based foods because they offer the rich compounds needed to fight disease. Rosemary and thyme, in particular, may be some of the best herbs for cancer prevention due to their tumor-suppressing properties. A research group published in the International Journal of Molecular Science in 2019 evaluated the anti-tumor effects of thyme.
MUCH REDUCES THE VOLUME OF TUMORS
In mice, two different concentrations of thyme were found to reduce tumor volume by 85 percent and 84 percent, respectively, compared to controls. In rats, the researchers observed an approximately 53 percent reduction in the frequency of tumors compared to controls.
Most of these effects are down to thyme’s terpenoids, a group of phytochemicals that can work as antioxidants and protect cells from cancer.
PREVENTS THE GROWTH AND SPREAD OF CANCER
“Dietary plant products have been consistently proven to affect the development and progression of cancer disease. It is well established that phytochemicals with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity can reduce the growth and spread of cancer.” Researcher J. Scott Smith was running a project at the University of Kansas when he learned of rosemary’s potency against carcinogenic compounds known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs).
REDUCES CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS
The researcher suggested that adding rosemary extracts to beef patties reduced levels of carcinogenic compounds such as HCAs by 30 to 100 percent. The results were in line with previous research showing that marinating steaks with certain herbs and spices also reduces HCAs. According to Ohio State University, rosemary is rich in carnosol, a phytochemical that may slow cancer cell growth, strengthen immune function, limit the production of cancer-related hormones, and act as an antioxidant.
Rosemary Prevents the Growth of Tumors
Many studies have shown that rosemary inhibits the growth of tumors by preventing the proliferation of cancerous cells. A meta-analysis published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition in 2011 examined the protective effects of rosemary on colorectal cancer and other types of cancer. There is an extensive literature from animal and cell studies showing the anticancer potential of rosemary extract and its components, the researchers said. Besides carnosol, other compounds such as carnosic acids, rustic acids, and rosmarinic acid have also proven beneficial in fighting cancer.
EFFECTIVE AGAINST VARIOUS TUMORS
The researchers added: “This is evidenced by the ability of rosemary to suppress the growth of tumors in various organs, including cells of the colon, breast, liver, stomach, as well as melanoma and leukemia. The results show that the different molecular targets modulated by rosemary and its active ingredients are associated with clinical cancer chemo- demonstrated to be useful indicators of success in prevention trials.”
VERY HIGH ANTIOXIDANT CONTENT
In 2014, research published in PLOSOne reinforced these findings after showing that orally administered rosemary extract significantly suppressed tumor growth in mice by 46 percent. Rosemary and thyme are among antioxidant-rich herbs and spices, along with basil, mint, sage, thyme, marjoram, and thyme.
BENEFITS OF ROSEMENT
- It is helpful and supportive against migraine and headache complaints.
- It is helpful and supportive in increasing the height of boys in the developmental age between 10-21 years of age.
- Helpful and supportive for people with gout
- It accelerates and facilitates digestion with its anti-inflammatory properties.
- It is known for its muscle spasm and pain relieving properties.
- It protects heart health.
- It helps to improve nerve functions. It is especially used in the prevention of diseases such as ataxia, dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
- It gives effective results on weight loss.
- It increases the rate of excretion of water from the body, making it diuretic.
- Carnosol, rosmarinic, betulinic and carnosic acid in rosemary are protective against cancer. Extracts of the plant give effective results against skin cancer, leukemia, breast and liver cancer, prostate, bladder, ovarian, colon, lung and pancreatic cancers.