CANCER

Pharmacological details of Ayurvedic anticancer herbs

ame of the herb	Therapeutic dose	Side effects /contraindications	Interactions with other herbs/drugs
Abrus precatorius	Leaf decoction: 56–112 ml, root powder: 0.5–1 g	Nausea, stomach cramping, coma, circulatory collapse	None known
Allium sativum	2–5 g per day, solid extract: 0.3–1 g, oil: 0.03–0.12 ml t.i.d.	Excess can cause stomach upset. May increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications	May interact with aspirin
Aloe vera	Extract: 10–20 ml, powder: 0.05–0.2 g	Long term intake may aggravate ulcers, haemorrhoids	Possibly interact with cardiac glycosides and diuretics
Alstonia scholaris	Liquid extract: 4–8 ml	Lethargy, Nasal congestion, allergy	Interact with St. John’s wort, general anaesthetics
Amorphopallus campanulatus	0.3–0.6 g	None reported	None known
Anacardium occidentale	No typical dosage	None reported	None known
Andrographis paniculata	Powder: 1.5–6 g, juice of leaves and stem: 1–4 ml t.i.d., andrographolide: 4–6 mg	Nausea, anorexia, emesis, Urticaria	Interact with anticoagulant and antihypertensive drugs/herbs
Asparagus racemosa	Powder: 20–30 g	No adverse effects	None known
Bacopa monniera	5–10 g (0.4–0.5 g 8×) per day	Rarely cause dermatitis	None known
Berberis aristata	Powder: 1–3 g May be toxic at higher dosage	May cause lethargy, nose bleeds, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea	May interfere with Vitamin B  assimilation
Boswellia serrata	0.4 g/2–3 times a day, gum resin: 2–3 g, oil: 1–1.5 ml, bark decoction: 56–112 ml	No adverse effects reported	None known
Calotropis cylindric	0.5–1 g	Vomiting, diarrhoea, bradycadia	May interact with cardioactive herbs and horsetail
Curcuma longa	1.5–3.0 g	Non-toxic Contraindicated in gastric ulcers	No interactions reported
Datura stramonium	0.05–0.1 g	Vomiting, hypertension, loss of consciousness. May lead to coma	May interact with anti-cholinergic drugs
Erythrina suberosa	28–32g	Insufficient information available	Insufficient information available
Euphorbia hirta	Powder: 0.12–0.3 g, liquid extract: 0.1–0.3 ml	Nausea, vomiting, dermatitis with skin contact	No interactions known to occur
Ficus religiosa	Powdered bark: 1–3 g, liquid extract: 60–120 ml	Large amounts can cause catharsis/allergies	None reported
Gynandropis pentaphylla	2 g	Insufficient information available	Insufficient information available
Hygrophila spinosa	Seed powder: 2–8 g, liquid extract: 40–50 ml	Insufficient information available	Insufficient information Available
Ixora crocinea	2–2.5 g	Insufficient information available	Insufficient information available
Juniperus communis	2–10 g per day	Long term may cause kidney damage	Possibly interact with anti-diuretic drugs
Luffa cylindrica	1.3 –1.9 g	None reported	No interactions known to occur
Nerium indicum	0.25–0.4 g	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea	None known
Ocimum sanctum	1–3 g, leaf infusion: 4–12 ml	May cause constipation at higher dosage for long term	None known
Phyllanthus niruri	Powder: 3–6 g	None reported	None reported
Picrorrhiza kurroa	0.5–1 g	Nausea, diarrhoea, skin rash at high doses, contraindications in pregnancy	None known
Piper longum	0.5–1 g	May have contraceptive activity, avoid use during pregnancy and lactation	Piperine may interact with enzymatic drug biotransformation
Rubia cordifolia	Powder: 1–3 g, liquid extract: 56–112 ml	No adverse effects reported	None known
Tinospora cordifolia	Powder: 1–3 g, liquid extract: 56–112 ml	Nausea	Excessive dose might inhibit Vitamin B assimilation
Vinca rosea	Dosage depends on severity of the disease	GI upset, hepatotoxicity, nausea, vomiting, may also cause hypoglycemia	No interactions known to occur
Withania somnifera	2–6 g	Nausea, dermatitis, abdominal pain, diarrhoea	May potentiate the action of barbiturates and benzodiazepines