Hoaxley Cancer Cure

Herbal / Plant Therapies: Hoxsey

Caution: Some complementary agents or therapies may be useful for cancer patients; however, some may be harmful in certain situations.

Description
In the early 1900s, Harry Hoxsey developed herbal formulas that he believed were effective for the treatment of cancer. One was to be used externally, the other internally. The external mixture is said to be selectively destructive of cancerous tissue and consists of a red and a yellow paste. The red paste contains antimony trisulfide, zinc chloride and bloodroot; the yellow powder contains arsenic sulfide, sulfur and talc. The internal mixture is a liquid containing licorice, red clover, burdock root, stillingia root, barberry, cascara, prickly ash bark, buckthorn bark and potassium iodide. This internal mixture is considered to be cathartic/cleansing and/or immune boosting. Hoxsey felt that his therapy normalized and balanced the body's chemistry makeup, allowing it to essentially create a self-healing environment in which the immune system is strengthened and tumors are caused to die. The Hoxsey tonic and treatment is available at the Bio-Medical Center Clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, and adaptations of the formula are used by some naturopathic physicians in the U. S.

No peer-reviewed scientific studies have been published that allow one to reach any conclusions about the effectiveness of the Hoxsey tonic and treatment.

Dose
The dose of the therapy varies depending on the specific needs of each patient and whether the cancer is internal or on the skin.

How it is taken
The preparation is used either directly on the skin or drunk as a tonic. The Bio-Medical Center encourages patients to avoid pork, vinegar, tomatoes, carbonated drinks and alcohol, and to use immune stimulants, yeast tablets, vitamin C, calcium, laxatives and antiseptic washes, as well as adopt a positive mental outlook while taking the Hoxsey treatment.

Side effects
Some of the ingredients in the Hoxsey formula can cause side effects. For example, buckthorn bark can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea if taken in large quantities. Cascara can cause diarrhea. Barberry root administered to rabbits (dose unspecified) caused swelling of the kidney and cardiotoxicity. Potassium iodide could cause adverse reactions in sensitive patients.

Ingredients within the external pastes (zinc chloride, antimony trisulfide, arsenic trisulfide and/or bloodroot) can be painful and lead to severe scarring.

Possible risks
Diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Treatment of skin cancers with externally applied pastes has an unknown risk of recurrence or metastasis.

Important Advice
To avoid potential interactions, be sure to let your health care provider know if you use this or any other type of complementary therapy.

Information on the scientific basis of Hoxsey therapy is provided in the

Authors & Editors
Initial authorship
Nancy C. Russell, DrPH, senior health education specialist, Integrative Medicine Program Education Component

Related terms: Bottle brush, cola de caballo (Spanish), common horsetail, common scouring rush, corn horsetail, corncob plant, couring rush, Dutch rush, Equisetaceae (family), Equisetum arvense, Equisetum myriochaetum, Equisetum ramosissimum, Equisetum telmateia, field horsetail, Herba Equiseti Hiemalis, hippuric acid, homovanillic acid, horse willow, horsetail grass, horsetail rush, mokuzoku (Japanese), mokchok, mokjeok (Korean), muzei (E. hymale), paddock pipes, pewterwort, prele, pribes des champs, running clubmoss, Schachtelhalm (German), scouring rush, shave grass, shenjincao (Chinese), toadpipe, Wenjing, Zinnkraut (German).

Background: Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) has traditionally been used in Europe as a diuretic for the treatment of edema (swelling/fluid retention). The German Commission E expert panel has approved horsetail for this indication. Horsetail is also occasionally used for osteoporosis, nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), urinary tract inflammation and wound healing (topical). It is also used in cosmetics and shampoos. These uses have largely been based on anecdote and clinical tradition, rather than scientific evidence.

There is preliminary human evidence supporting the use of horsetail as a diuretic. One poorly designed human trial found horsetail to effectively raise bone density equally to calcium supplements.

In theory (based on mechanism of action), horsetail ingestion in large amounts may cause thiamine deficiency, hypokalemia (low potassium) or nicotine toxicity. Reported adverse effects include dermatitis.

Evidence

Uses based on scientific evidence
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
	Grade*
Diuresis (increased urine)	B
Use of horsetail dates to ancient Roman and Greek medicine. The name Equisetum is derived from equus, "horse," and seta, "bristle." Preliminary human and laboratory research suggests that horsetail may increase the amount of urine produced by the body. More studies are needed to determine if horsetail is safe or useful for specific health conditions.
Osteoporosis (weakening of the bones)	C
Silicon may be beneficial for bone strengthening. Because horsetail contains silicon, it has been suggested as a possible natural treatment for osteoporosis. Preliminary human study reports benefits, but more detailed research is needed before a firm recommendation can be made. People with osteoporosis should speak with a qualified healthcare provider about possible treatment with more proven therapies.

Related terms: 2-methy-3-butene-2-ol, 8-PN, 8-prenylnaringenin, beer, Cannabaceae (family), colupulone, common hops, European hops, hop, hop strobile, Hopfen (German), houblon (French), humulon, humulus, Humulus lupulus, iso-alpha-acids, lupulin, lupulus, Lupuli strobulus, prenylated 2´-hydroxychalcones, prenylflavonoids, spent hops, xanthohumol, Ze 91019.

Background: The hop is a member of the Cannabaceae family, traditionally used for relaxation, sedation, and to treat insomnia. A number of methodologically weak human trials have investigated hops in combination with valerian (Valeriana officinalis) for the treatment of sleep disturbances, and several animal studies have examined the sedative properties of hops alone. However, the results of these studies are equivocal, and there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend hops alone or in combination for any medical condition.

Hops are also sometimes found in combination products with passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), skullcap (potentially damaging to the liver), or with a high percentage of alcohol (up to 70% grain alcohol), confounding the association between the herb and possible sedative or hypnotic effects.

Hops contain phytoestrogens that may possess estrogen receptor agonist or antagonist properties with unclear effects on hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast, uterine, cervical or prostate cancer or endometriosis.

Evidence

Uses based on scientific evidence
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
	Grade*
Insomnia/sleep quality	C
Animal studies report that hops may have sedative and sleep-enhancing (hypnotic) effects. However, little human research has evaluated the effects of hops on sleep quality. Further study is needed in this area before a strong recommendation can be made.
Menopausal symptoms	C
When used in combination with other products, hops may help alleviate menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes and difficulty sleeping, because it has estrogen-like activity. However, until more well-designed studies are performed, a strong recommendation cannot be made.
Rheumatic diseases	C
Early clinical research suggests that a combination formula containing hops may help reduce symptoms of rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. However, well-designed human trials using hops alone are needed to determine if these positive effects are specifically the result of hops.
Sedation	C
Hops have been used traditionally as a sedative, for relaxation and reduction of anxiety. Although some animal studies suggest possible sedative properties, there is limited human research in this area. Better studies are needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

*Key to grades: A: Strong scientific evidence for this use; B: Good scientific evidence for this use; C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use; D: Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work); F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work).