Breast cancer now relentlessly haunts modern women like a persistent nightmare. However, the traditional Chinese practice of women taking ginseng and angelica for nourishment is being questioned, as modern preliminary research has verified that they can induce the growth of breast cancer cells. As a result, Chinese medicine practitioners in Australia are advising women to use these two herbs with caution.
A research report published in the Australian Doctor magazine not long ago suggested that ginseng and angelica have a potent catalytic effect on women's breast cancer cells. The report pointed out that natural therapies, highly popular in Europe and America in recent years, often use ginseng and angelica to help women alleviate menopausal symptoms. However, the latest research shows that ginseng and angelica can promote cancer cell growth by up to 27 times and 16 times, respectively.
Professor Xue Changli, head of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Department at RMIT University in Melbourne, believes that people need not be overly anxious. As of now, ginseng and angelica are still listed on the pharmacopoeia of safe-to-use Chinese medicine recognized by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration.