Can Herbs Prevent a Recurrence of Prostate Cancer?

A few decades ago, any suggestion that herbs might reduce the risk for cancer would have been greeted with suspicion. As researchers scramble to find out what natural products might be helpful, they have found evidence that certain herbs might reduce the risk of a recurrence of prostate cancer. Which ones are they?

Herbs Against Prostate Cancer:

Q. I have read that certain herbs have both anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity. I’m especially interested in preventing a recurrence of prostate cancer.

Is there any science to support the use of rosemary, turmeric, ginger and oregano? These are just a few of the culinary herbs and spices I have heard might be helpful.

A. There is a surprising amount of basic science to suggest that certain spices have anti-cancer potential (Nutrients, online Aug. 12, 2016).

Curcumin:

The evidence is especially strong for curcumin, an active component of turmeric. This compound interrupts several metabolic pathways that cancer cells use to survive and spread (Anticancer Research, Nov. 2016). Curcumin may also help fight lung, breast, stomach, colorectal and uterine cancer.

Rosemary:

Other culinary herbs and spices that seem promising include garlic, black cumin, ginger, black pepper, chili pepper, rosemary and saffron. Rosemary, for example, interferes with androgen receptors to block prostate cancer cell growth (PLoS One, March 5, 2014).

One group of oncologists has published a small series of case reports using the herbal combination medicine Zyflamend to prevent the recurrence of prostate cancer (Case Reports in Oncological Medicine, online March 15, 2015). Zyflamend contains turmeric, holy basil, green tea, oregano, ginger, rosemary, Chinese goldthread, hu zhang, barberry and skullcap, so you might want to ask your oncologist about taking it.

Reader Benefits from Herbal Supplement Preventing Recurrence of Prostate Cancer:

Q. Turmeric and rosemary are two ingredients among ten in an over-the-counter supplement I take. In lab studies, the supplement was found to inhibit the Cox 2 enzyme and other inflammatory products of the arachidonic pathway. Celebrex is a prescription arthritis drug that works as a Cox 2 inhibitor.

I started taking the supplement in 2006 to deal with prostate cancer. Not only has it kept my PSA levels in check—the last check was lower than the peak I experienced in 2006/2007—I noticed that the soreness in my shoulder joints disappeared.

On a visit overseas in 2007, I gave a bottle of this supplement to a friend of mine who had a rising PSA. On my return visit a year later, he told me that his PSA was in check. He also told me that the pain in his knees had disappeared, and he was now able to walk up and down many flights of stairs as a building inspector with no pain.

A. We appreciate the testimonial. Research suggests that the polyphenols in rosemary act on different pathways to inhibit prostate cancer (Frontiers in Pharmacology, March 25, 2013). Turmeric has anti-inflammatory activity. That might explain why you and your friend have had such good relief from both shoulder and knee pain. A phenolic ingredient of turmeric, curcumin, also seems to discourage the proliferation of prostate cancer cells (Molecules, Nov. 30, 2019).

It is critical to keep monitoring your PSA. You might even ask your urologist whether a scan would be appropriate, as this can be useful for detecting recurrence.

Learn More:

You can learn more about the research on the anti-oxidant and anticancer activity of natural products such as rosemary or turmeric in our book, Spice Up Your Health: How Everyday Herbs & Spices Can Lengthen & Strengthen Your Life.