There are thousands of natural compounds that have been studied with demonstrable anti-cancer potential but only a small subset of these have been proven to target and kill the cancer stem cells which lie at the root of cancer malignancy. Turmeric, for instance, has been featured in a number of studies for this “smart kill” property of targeting just the heart of cancerous tumors. Ginger has also been found in pre-clinical research to contain a compound up to 10,000 times more effective than the chemotherapy drug Taxol at killing breast cancer stem cells. Even common food like blueberries have special cancer killing properties.

A powerful study published in the journal Anticancer Research titled, “Natural Products That Target Cancer Stem Cells,” has made our job much easier of identifying this special category of cancer killers by reviewing the many existing studies and literature on the topic and listing the top 25 substances in this category. They are listed here below, along with some of the commonly recognized dietary sources for these natural healing wonders!

Natural Cancer Healing Compounds

  1. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) – Green Tea

  2. 6-Gingerol – Ginger

  3. β-Carotene – Carrot, Leafy Greens

  4. Baicalein – Chinese Skullcap

  5. Curcumin – Turmeric

  6. Cyclopamine – Corn Lilly [we do not suggest consuming this plant; this simply illustrates natural components exist that kill cancer stem cells]

  7. Delphinidin – Blueberry, raspberrry

  8. Flavonoids (Genistein) – Soy, red clover, coffee

  9. Gossypol – Cottonseed [we do not suggest consuming this plant; this simply illustrates natural components exist that kill cancer stem cells]

  10. Guggulsterone – Commiphora (myrrh tree)

  11. Isothiocyanates – Cruciferous vegetables

  12. Linalool – Mint

  13. Lycopene – Grapefruit, tomato

  14. Parthenolide – Feverfew

  15. Perylill alcohol – Mint, cherry, lavender

  16. Piperine – Black pepper

  17. Placycodon saponin – Playycodon grandifloruim

  18. Psoralidin – Psoralea corylilyfolia

  19. Quercetin – Capers, onion

  20. Resveratrol – Grapes, plums, berries

  21. Salinomycin – Streptomyces albus

  22. Silibinin – Milk Thistle

  23. Ursolic acid – Thyme, basil, oregano

  24. Vitamin D3 – Fish, egg yolk, beef, cod liver oil

  25. Withaferin A – Withania somnifera (ashwaganda)

 

Learn more about over 600 cancer fighting foods on this cancer research database!

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