"Exciting Results": Could This Plant From the Arava Reduce Cancer?
For decades, researchers have been searching for alternative cancer treatments that effectively kill cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy cells. A promising lead has recently been discovered.
Aromatic Star or scientifically known as Asteriscus graveolensChemotherapy is virtually the sole response for cancer patients in the world of Western medicine, and we are all aware of its far-reaching consequences: On one hand, chemotherapy drugs indeed eliminate cancer cells, but at the same time, they also destroy the body's healthy cells.
For decades, researchers have been tracking new drugs that contribute more and harm less - and it seems a possible lead for a future solution has been found.
A study recently published by Dr. Rivky Ofir from the Dead Sea and Arava Science Center - Central Arava Branch, claims that a plant known as the 'Aromatic Star,' growing in the desert regions of our country, can significantly reduce cancer cells.
According to the report by 'Walla,' the study was published in the scientific journal International Journal of Molecular Sciences - where the plant's compounds were shown to have anti-cancer properties, following their exposure to mice with lymphoma, resulting in a 50% success rate in eradicating cancer cells.
The encouraging news is that the plant extract did not harm healthy cells - a fact that has given hope to Dr. Ofir and her research team, who are already working on developing a new treatment for the disease. Although the study has so far only been tested on mice, Dr. Ofir states, "The research results are very promising. We do not yet know what types of cancer it may help, but the potential is clear - the Aromatic Star contains medicinal values, and if a pharmaceutical company decides to invest in this unique plant, we might bring hope to cancer patients from the Arava plants," she concludes.
