Can cancer be cured just by using the components of a plant? Plants play a vital role in human lives. Humans need plants. Humanity's relationship with plants has made civilization possible to exist. Plants provide essentials such as the oxygen we breathe and basic nutrition that is necessary in a diet. Nevertheless, with such a significant value and purpose, the assortment and the variety of the natural world tends to be overlooked. Countless plants are waiting to be discovered and studied that can hold a key ingredient for the antidote of a certain ailment. After analyzing the results of a study on plant medicine, it was observed in the article “Drugs That Grow on Trees” by Michele Trankina, that the statistics show …show more content…
A plant-based diet is highly recommended by many medical professionals today. For thousands of years, people from all over the world have used herbs and plants to cure or prevent disease. Just to look at a few common herbs: thyme has been shown to slow down the ageing process by maintaining the life of our body cells; sage is an excellent antiseptic for treating mouth ulcers and sore throats; chamomile is a safe treatment for children’s stomach upsets and garlic contains fungicides and is used in the treatment of various infections. Sharon Palmer states “Research indicates that plant-based diets reduce the risk of ischemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes; lower blood pressure, reduce body mass, and reduce cancer rate.” It is known that there isn’t a one hundred percent proven cure for cancer, however a plant-based diet has been well-studied on its defensive assistances for fighting cancer. A plant-based diet is packed with antioxidants that support the immune system in which the body has a stronger ability to fight off cancer cells as a result. A plant-based diet is also advised for managing a healthy weight, which can help prevent cancer even further and prevent other types of diseases. While no cure has yet been found for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, or even obesity, a person can see that the benefits of a plant-based diet are plentiful and …show more content…
When a plant is labeled as ‘medicinal’, it is implied that the plant is useful as a drug or therapeutic agent or an active ingredient of a medicinal preparation. Active ingredients in plants are studied and sought after. The marijuana plant, also known as cannabis, is well-known all over the world and is hailed as a ‘wonder drug’. Clarke supports the concept of marijuana being a useful drug stating that, “Although Cannabis is most often thought of as a “drug plant,” its use for a huge number of other purposes including fiber, food, paper, medicine…” (Clarke). It has been used responsibly by doctors as an anecdote for disorders and symptoms. Marijuana has been repeatedly studied and is known to slow cancer. Scientists have traced marijuana’s ability to prevent the growth and spread of cancer to specific pathways found in tumor cells. Tetrahydrocannabinol, better known as THC, the major active component of marijuana, has anti-cancer properties. Just like any other plant, marijuana has multiple compounds. These compounds have anti-tumor properties. Cannabis also treats many other forms of ailments. Aghajanian declares, “Ailments ranging from chemotherapy side effects, arthritis, glaucoma, chronic pain and even malnutrition are being treated with cannabis, a promising alternative for