Introduction
Blood cancer is a life-threatening disease that includes: leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma (American Society of Hematology). Leukemia is classified into myeloid and lymphoid leukemia. Each type has acute and chronic phases. Leukemia reduces the ability of white blood cells (WBCs) to fight infection (American Society of Hematology). In addition, leukemia limits the bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells (RBCs) (American Society of Hematology). It is one of the most common cancers in the world and can be treated by chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant.
Statement of the problem
Although chemotherapy is an effective treatment for cancer, patients still suffer from side effects such as hair loss. Thus, more studies need to be done to find alternative medications that do not have side effects. Folk medicine is one option used to treat many diseases such as hepatitis B, bacterial infection and parasitic infection (Ahmad et al., 2013). For instance, black seeds (black cumin) showed effects on cardiovascular disease because of the presence of the Thymoquinone component (Ahmad et al., 2013, Khan et al., 2011). Thymoquinone (TQ) has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties (Ahmad et al., 2013). Therefore, black seeds limit the replication of the abnormal WBCs that contain the leukemia. In previous studies, derivatives of black seeds were used against myeloid leukemia (Khan et al., 2011), but this study is focusing on the effects of black seeds themselves.
This study might take one year to get the desired results and it will help all human beings.
The purpose of this study is to look into the possibility of using black cumin as an alternative medication to chemotherapy for treating leukemi...
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...of TQ (Ahmad et al., 2013). Nigella Sativa has a special chemical component known as thymoquinone (TQ) that acts as an antioxidant (Ahmad et al., 2013). It is the knowledge of these traditional uses that forms the basic conceptual framework for this research study.
From the conceptual framework, the assumptions of this research are made as the following:
1- Using black seeds will reduce the mortality rate from leukemia.
2- There will be no need for administrating of the intensive chemotherapy.
Definitions of Terms
Leukemia: is a blood cancer that results from a rapid replication of atypical white blood cells (WBCs).
Myeloma: is another type of blood cancer that attacks the plasma cells and prevents the antibody production.
Lymphoma: is one type of blood cancer that eliminates the excessive amount of the fluids from the body and resulting in immune cells production.
Lymphoid tissue is made up of cells called lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that fights infection. There are 2 major types of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes (B cells) and T lymphocytes (T cells). Normal T cells and B cells have different jobs. But because all the importance of these cells they can travel around the body spreading the cancerous cells. There are four stages for Hodgkin’s lymphoma when testing is completed the doctors can determine what stage the cancer is at and what treatment will be best suited to fighting the disease.
Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a form of cancer in the lymphatic system. This type of lymphoma originates in the white blood cells, and spreads throughout the lymph nodes in the body. The cause of Hodgkin’s lymphoma is unknown, and it is sometimes found by chance. This disease is typically treated with chemotherapy and radiation and, if found in the early stages, the patient has a good chance of being fully cured.
Mistletoe has been extremely beneficial to medical science throughout the ages. It has been known to help cure or relieve epilepsy, hypertension, headaches, menopausal symptoms, infertility, arthritis, and rheumatism. Mistletoe is one of the highest alternative medicine remedies for cancer. In European countries, extracts made from European mistletoe are among the most prescribed remedies for cancer patients.” (National Cancer Institute p.2) In the International Journal of Cancer, they ran multiple tests with the mistletoe extract and found that the results of the clinical testing is highly inconsistent. In fact the stronger tests found that there is no improvement in quality of life in the patient. “The search terms were alternative medicine, cancer, controlled clinical trial, Eurixor®, Helixor®, Iscador®, lectin, malignancy, Mistel, mistletoe and derivatives. In addition, manufacturers of commercial mistletoe products and other experts were asked to contribute published as well as unpublished material, and our own extensive files were hand-searched.” (Eduard Ernst,Katja Schmidt, and Miriam Katharina Steuer-Vogt p.262–267) Because of limited data on the efficiency of mistletoe, only patients with primary or secondary brain tumors, leukemia, or malignant lymphoma are treated with mistletoe extract. Mistletoe extract is not used on pregnant or nursing women, ...
Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Our lymphatic system helps to protect us from disease and infection and consists of: lymph nodes, plasma cells, lymphatic vessels, the spleen, thymus gland, tonsils, adenoids, bone marrow, and immunoglobulins. White blood cells called Lymphocytes, travel through the body via lymphatic vessels and help to trap and kill disease and infection. Lymphatic vessels connect to lymph glands in our bodies and collect into large ducts that empty into our blood stream. Lymphocytes enter the blood stream through these ducts. There are three main types of Lymphocytes. B lymphocytes (B cells) make antibodies in response to invading bacteria, viruses or other microbes. B lymphocytes
Anemia - It was earlier studied that this herb increases blood count but the research was bleak hence, more research is incorporated.
There are two types of lymphoma, Hodgkin disease and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and even though they are different they both begin the same way. Like other cancers, lymphoma results when cells divide too quickly or do not die because of a discrepancy in their genes. The cells that are affected in this type of cancer are white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes make up around 20 to 40 percent of all white blood cells, and are divided into two categories, B or T. Both types help support the immune system by destroying infectious or foreign substances, but B lymphocytes make antibodies to fight these substances while T lymphocytes directly attack the unwanted substances. These cells work in the lymph system which is a part of the immune system. The main jobs of the lymph system are to protect the body from unwanted substances and to transport waste. The system includes many vital organs such as lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, thymus, and the digestive tract. When lymphocytes become cancerous they collect in the lymph nodes therefore blocking the passage of waste and other white blood cells while also using the nodes as a system to travel and spread to other parts of body. These cancerous cells do not die and become a burden for the body because they can no longer fulfill their ...
Hodgkin disease is a type of lymphoma, a cancer that starts within white blood cells, called lymphocytes; a cancer of the lymphatic system. Lymphatic system is the network of vessels through which lymph drains from the tissues into the blood. The lymphatic system is a network of nodes connected by vessels that drain fluid and waste products from the body. The lymph nodes act as tiny filters, straining out foreign organisms and cells. Nodes are knots of tissue. Which is part of the immune system; named after the doctor who first recognized it, which is Dr. Thomas Hodgkin. This cancer is rare, between twenty thousand to two hundred thousand U.S. cases per year and also known as Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Turmeric is a spice used commonly in the east and has been used for over 4,000, both a flavor enhancer to food and for medicinal purposes. Turmeric is a bright yellow, very strong smelling powder that is taken from the root of the turmeric plant which is in the ginger family. The roots of the turmeric plant are removed, cleaned, boiled, and are then pounded into a fine power for use. It was historically used to increase one’s physical energy, to stop embarrassing gastrointestinal gas, to kill intestinal worms, help with abdominal pain, including menstrual cramping.
Walia, Arjun. "20 Medical Studies That Prove Cannabis Can Cure Cancer." Collective Publisher. Collective Publisher, 23 Aug. 2013. Web. 8 Nov. 2013. .
Leukemia is a cancer of the white blood cells. It begins in the bone marrow, the soft tissue inside the bones. Within the bone marrow is where white blood cells are created, that help fight off bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms within the body that cause infections. The disease develops to when the white blood cells are being produced out of control. The cells that are being produced do not work properly as they should, they grow faster than a normal cell would and don’t know when to stop growing. Overtime, if not treated properly, the white blood cells will over crowd blood cells, creating a serious problem such as anemia, bleeding and infection. Leukemia cells can spread to the lymph nodes and other organs in the body causing swelling and pain.
The emphasis on health and fitness has become paramount in our society today in an effort to prevent and combat diseases such as Cancers. Cancers are a group of over 100 diseases that affects every aspect of the human system from skin, to bones, to muscles, to blood. One of the most common blood disorders is Leukemia. As defined by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that begins in the bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft tissue in the center of the bone that is responsible for the production of blood cells. The term leukemia means white blood. The term leukocytes refer to white blood cells, which are body’s defense against infections and other foreign substances. When Leukemia occurs there is an uncontrolled increase in the number of white blood cells. When this occurs, these cancerous cells inhibit the production of healthy red blood cells, platelets, and mature white blood cells. Over time the cancerous cells can spread to the bloodstream and lymph nodes. They can also travel to the Central Nervous System and the rest of the body.
Lymphomas are regarded as cancers of lymphocytes. The process which lymphoma occurs consists of a series of events where normal lymphocyte cells cease to mature and develop in an orderly fashion. The genetic make-up of the lymphocyte is altered, resulting in the formation of altered lymph tissue (tumours) or altered lymphocyte secretions. Typically, patients present with a painless swelling of lymph node, with or without fever and night sweats and weight loss.
Multiple myeloma, also known as myeloma, hematologic cancer, or cancer of the blood is a plasma cell cancer, a type of white blood cell made in the bone marrow that is responsible for creating antibodies. A Multiple myeloma diagnosis means a group of these plasma cells has become cancerous and is multiplying. This cancerous multiplication of plasma cells raises the the level of abnormal proteins in circulating blood, and reduces the space available in the bone marrow for making healthy plasma cells . Health problems caused by multiple myeloma can affect your bones, immune system, kidneys and red blood cell count. The lifetime risk of getting multiple myeloma is 1 in 149 (0.67%).
Herbal remedies’ qualities are widespread availability, lower cost, effective for chronic conditions. Herbal remedies are the use of plants or plant extract to treat a person’ overall health. Herbal treatments are prominent for developing countries for instance, “in Africa up to 90% and in India 70% of the population depend on traditional medicine to help meet their health care needs” (Wachtel-Galor & Benzie, 2011), due to their low cost and availability. Herbal remedies have gained attention in the past decades, and expanding their uses due to the increased interest of natural therapies (Wachtel-Galor & Benzie, 2011). Herbs used on the remedies grow in the wild throughout the world, therefore making it easy to
According to Ming-Yeng Pang, a writer of an article Herbal Medicine and Cancer, Considering that herbal medicines are inferiorly regulated than the conventional medicine, manufacturers may differ on the quality and quantity of the medicine. Since there’s no proper and studied techniques on making an herbal remedies, it may cause contamination and dilution. Herbal medicine does interact with pharmaceutical products that it might interfere the effects of the conventional medicine. In relation with this, herbal medicine can be life-menacing (Herbal Medicine and C...