The story of the Hoxsey cancer therapy is one of the most controversial in the history of alternative health care in the United States. Much of this controversy is due to Harry Hoxsey himself. He was a larger-than-life figure who developed herbal combinations and opened clinics across the country to treat cancer patients. The Hoxsey cancer therapy is still being used. Meanwhile, the debate over its efficacy rages on.
History
Harry Hoxsey developed an external salve for skin cancer and an internal herbal formulation to treat other cancers in the 1920s. He opened a total of 17 clinics that treated cancer patients. The American Medical Association, the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration denounced Hoxsey and his formulas as frauds and sought to shut down his clinics. After several lawsuits, including one he won against the Journal of the American Medical Association for libel, the U.S. government banned the sale of Hoxsey's herbal cancer therapy. In 1963, one of Hoxsey's former nurses opened a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, that continues to treat cancer patients with Hoxsey's formulas. The Internet has allowed wide distribution of Hoxsey's herbal formulations.
Types
There are two primary types of herbal formulations that make up the Hoxsey cancer therapy. An external salve that is used primarily to burn off skin growths is based on the herb bloodroot. It also has such chemicals as zinc oxide, sulfur and talc added to make a thick black paste. The internal formula that Hoxsey used for cancer contained a large number of herbs. The combination evolved and changed. The formula today includes red clover, burdock, barberry, licorice, cascara sagrada and buckthorn. The combination dissolves tumors and helps the body flush toxins, according to proponents.
Function
Numerous medical reports and opinions written by the mainstream medical community decry Hoxsey and his formulas as fraudulent. According to the American Cancer Society: "Available scientific evidence does not support claims that the Hoxsey herbal treatment has any value in the treatment of cancer in humans." This sentiment is echoed in most mainstream evaluations of the Hoxsey protocol for cancer. The American Cancer Society does state that some of the herbs used in Hoxsey formula have shown anti-cancer effects in animal studies.
Considerations
Although there have not been many studies on the effects of the complete Hoxsey herbal treatment on cancer cells in vitro, many of the herbs used in formula have been tested with some surprising results. According to article published in 2000 by the The Journal of the American Botanical Council entitled "Tempest in a Tonic Bottle: A Bunch of Weeds?", many of the herbs used in the Hoxsey formula have a long history of use by Native Americans. Several herbs, notably barberry, cascara sagrada and buckthorn have been determined to be active against cancer in scientific studies.
Significance
The interest in herbal medicine for treating many of the conditions that plague modern humanity, including cancer, has continued to rise. Hoxsey's formulas still remain among the most popular herbal cancer treatment protocols.
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