Natural remedy against cancer: myth or reality?

It seems like everyone is searching for that secret ingredient to defeat the disease, but does it really exist?

What does science say?

Some natural remedies do show promising results. Among them, vitamin D, curcumin (the main active ingredient in turmeric, the spice we use for soups and curry), beta-glucan (a natural sugar found in mushrooms and oats), fish oils, and various medicinal herbs are often mentioned. Scientists are researching these substances mainly as support alongside conventional treatment, not as a replacement for it.

A recent study published in 2023 in the scientific journal Nutrients showed that people with higher levels of vitamin D in their blood at the time of a cancer diagnosis often live longer. But it is important to emphasize here: it was a supportive effect, not a cure. Science clearly separates “helps the body” and “cures the disease.”

The same goes for curcumin, which in the laboratory (in cell studies) has a strong influence on reducing inflammation and the growth of cancer cells. However, when it comes to people, this effect is significantly reduced because the body breaks down curcumin quickly and only a small amount reaches the bloodstream. To have an effect, it would need to be consumed in a special form – with black pepper or in microcapsules. But even here, it’s not a cure, just a helper.

Beware of “miracles”

When you find yourself in distress, you are vulnerable, and some people know how to take advantage of that. Abroad, especially in the USA, a Committee for Quackery has been established to warn people against dangerous scams. These are the stories you often see online or in emails. Something like: “Pharmacists don’t want you to know this!” or “This plant kills cancer cells in 48 hours!”

These headlines are attractive, but they have no scientific basis. On top of that, they can even be dangerous. Our parents taught us that not all that glitters is gold. This is especially true in times of illness.

Let’s look at some famous examples where things went far too wrong.

Apricot kernels and the danger called amygdalin

Amygdalin is a substance found in the kernels of apricots, peaches, and other stone fruits. Many people also call it vitamin B17, although in reality, it isn’t a vitamin at all. Over 100 years ago, it was promoted in Russia as a cancer cure, and under the name laetrile, it became popular in the 1960s. The idea was that it turns into toxic cyanide in the body, which was supposed to kill only cancer cells.

It sounds logical, until you realize that cyanide is deadly for healthy cells, too. In reality, there have already been numerous cases of poisoning due to amygdalin. One such story was published in Case Reports in Emergency Medicine in 2023. It described a 73-year-old woman with pancreatic cancer. She refused chemotherapy and took 1500 mg of amygdalin daily. In a few days, she suffered severe poisoning: nausea, confusion, pain, irregular heartbeat... She was only saved in the hospital when they gave her an antidote – a high dose of vitamin B12.

Even though apricot kernels are entirely natural, not everything natural is also safe.

Graviola – a tropical beast with two faces

Graviola, which grows in Central and South America, has soft greenish fruits and is also known as soursop (the English name for graviola). Online, it is often praised as a plant that kills 12 kinds of cancer. Some lab studies have shown that it contains certain compounds, such as acetogenins and alkaloids, that affect cancer cells.

However, research has also shown something else: these compounds are also neurotoxic, meaning they can damage the nervous system. A review study from 2017 (The Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences) warned that people who regularly took graviola developed symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease.

Again, just because something works in the lab doesn’t mean it will benefit patients.

Baking soda – more harm than good

One of the more bizarre theories circulating online for years is that cancer is caused by body acidity and can be cured by “alkalizing” – that is, by taking baking soda. The theory has its roots in the work of the German scientist Otto Warburg, who studied how cancer cells feed.

But the body has an incredibly precise system for regulating pH, and you can’t just “alkalize” it with a few spoons of baking soda. If someone consumes too much baking soda, it can lead to metabolic alkalosis. This is a dangerous condition in which the blood becomes too basic (alkaline). It can cause muscle cramps, confusion, irregular heartbeat, and even kidney failure.

There are multiple cases in the medical literature of hospitalizations resulting from self-medicating with baking soda.

Why do people believe?

When we seek hope, we are ready to believe almost anything. And because the internet is full of seemingly real testimonies, false hope spreads quickly. These stories often cite seemingly serious sources, but they are tales without any real basis.

Or they simply don’t tell the whole truth...

That’s why it’s important to know how to distinguish between real hope and empty promises.

What about herbs and traditional knowledge?

It’s not all black and white. Folk medicine offers a wealth of useful knowledge. The Reishi mushroom, for example, has been known for thousands of years in the Far East as the “mushroom of immortality.” Today it is also scientifically proven that it can strengthen the immune system.

The same goes for astragalus root, garlic, ginger, chamomile, and many other plants that can help alleviate side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea, fatigue, or insomnia.

But the crucial difference is that they are used as a supplement, not a replacement for treatment.

What do experts recommend?

Experts recommend that before using any supplements – even natural ones – you consult your doctor or pharmacist. Some herbs and supplements can interfere with the function of medicines, cause allergic reactions, or even reduce the effectiveness of treatment.

In addition, dietary supplements are not subject to the same strict controls as medicines. Anyone can sell them, from anywhere, without checks on origin, purity, or actual content. In the EU alone, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), there are more than 30,000 different supplements available, but very few are scientifically validated.

Final thoughts

There is (so far) no miracle cure for cancer that is simple, natural, cheap, and without side effects. However, there are ways you can naturally support yourself that work as complementary to treatment, not as a replacement. This includes healthy eating, exercise, quality sleep, emotional support, and in some cases the use of herbs known for centuries.

However, it is very important to be cautious when someone offers solutions that seem too good to be true. Trust well-sourced information, talk to your doctor, and do not fall for those looking to profit from your distress.

Information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.