Can black tea cure cancer? What should be noted when using it?

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Triet, Pharmacist, Department of Traditional Medicine - University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City, said that cancer is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries and the second leading cause in developing countries, including Vietnam.

Nowadays, natural medicinal sources with anti-cancer effects have become a concern for people around the world and in Vietnam. In history, people have known how to use many medicinal herbs such as periwinkle, jujube , red pine... to support cancer treatment.

In particular, xạ đen has been widely used in traditional medicine in some countries to treat and prevent cancer. Recently, xạ đen has been sought by Vietnamese people to use in the treatment or support of cancer treatment in the form of a single decoction or in combination.

In Vietnam today, the species Celastrus hindsii Benth is the most popular. The leaves of Celastrus hindsii Benth have been used to produce tea products as a healthy drink. Celastrus hindsii is also used as an oriental medicine to treat boils, tumors, cancer and inflammation.

Tea extracted from black leaf

Effective against certain types of cancer

Pharmacological reports have demonstrated that extracts and compounds isolated from Celastrus species of the genus Celastrus have shown strong cytotoxic effects on several cancer lines in laboratory tests. Among them, some important compounds such as celastrol, maytenfolon A and celasdin B have been isolated from Celastrus plants with the most potential effects.

In addition, quercetin-3- β -D-rutinoside (rutin) is a common flavonoid compound also found in black-bone leaves. This compound has been shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and vascular wall strengthening effects.

In a recent report in 2020, a group of Vietnamese authors demonstrated that extracts from black xạ leaves have shown pharmacological effects in the laboratory. in antioxidant and cytotoxic effects on breast, liver and lung cancer lines.

Although Celastrus species are widely known as effective medicinal herbs in the treatment of diseases, especially liver diseases, their toxicity and safety evaluation is still incomplete. Therefore, more rigorous acute toxicity studies need to be conducted to establish their toxicity limits and dosages.

Need to consult an expert

Master, pharmacist Tran Van Chen, Department of Traditional Pharmacy - University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City said that up to now, there have been no clinical studies, so more research is needed to evaluate the safety of black ginseng extract for the human body before use.

The toxicity of some parts of the black-bone plant has not been fully reported, so it is necessary to pay attention to the dosage when using it. Especially when using black-bone for the purpose of supporting or treating diseases, especially cancer, it is necessary to consult or get advice from experts in the field of traditional medicine for reasonable and safe use.

"Do not use this medicinal herb as tea or as a substitute for regular drinking water. Caution should be exercised when using it on special subjects such as children or pregnant women," pharmacist Chen advised.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/cay-xa-den-co-tri-duoc-ung-thu-can-luu-y-gi-khi-su-dung-185230523205323732.htm