More Harm than Good?
CBCRP-funded Research Casts Doubt on Popular Herbal Remedy
January 11, 2005—Breast cancer patients often self-administer complementary and alternative medicines to supplement their conventional treatments, hoping to improve their health or prevent cancer’s recurrence. One herbal remedy, Flor-Essence® tonic, is a complex mixture of herbal extracts used by cancer patients based on anecdotal evidence that it can treat or prevent tumor development.
Michelle Bennett, Ph.D., conducted a CBCRP-funded study that found that when tested in animals, Flor-Essence® tonic actually stimulated tumor development.
In her report* Dr. Bennett wrote, “Flor-Essence® can promote mammary tumor development in the Sprague-Dawley rat model. This observation is contrary to widely available anecdotal evidence as well as the desire of the consumer that this commercially available herbal tonic will suppress and/or inhibit tumor growth."
* For the full article see Breast Cancer Research and Treatment 88 (2004): 87-93 (pdf)
About the CBCRP
The mission of the California Breast Cancer Research Program is to eliminate
breast cancer by leading innovation in research, communication, and collaboration
in the California scientific and lay communities.
Created by the State Legislature in 1993, the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) is the largest state-funded breast cancer research program in the nation and is administered by the University of California, Office of the President. To date, the CBCRP has awarded 617 grants to 70 scientific institutions and community entities, totaling more than $150 million for research in California to prevent, treat, and cure breast cancer. Grants from the CBCRP fill gaps not traditionally funded by other research programs to jump-start new areas of investigation that push the boundaries of research and foster new collaborations. The CBCRP is funded through the voluntary tax check-off program on personal income tax form 540, a portion of the state tobacco tax, and individual contributions. For more information call 888 313-2277, or visit www.cbcrp.org.
