Extract in Herbal Tea May Kill Breast Cancer Cells

BIRMINGHAM, United KingdomDrinking herbal tea made from the plant Fagonia cretica, also known as Virgin's Mantle, may help combat breast cancer, according to a new study published in the journal PLoS ONE. Patients who have taken the plant extract have reported it does not appear to generate any of the serious common side effects associated with other cancer treatments, such as loss of hair, drop in blood count or diarrhea.

Scientists at Aston University and Russells Hall Hospital conducted tests of the plant extract, which is found in arid, desert regions of Pakistan, India, Africa and parts of Europe, and discovered it kills cancer cells without damage to normal breast cells in laboratory conditions. The scientists hope to identify which element or elements of the plant are responsible for killing the cancer cells with the goal to eventually begin trails with human cancer patients.

More research is needed to establish  the role of the extract in cancer management and it now needs to be demonstrated that this extract is as effective in killing cancer cells inside the body as it is within laboratory," the scientists said.