Written by Heidi Stevenson   

The good news is that a scientific study has shown that Euphorbia peplus, a common weed, can cure squamous cell carcinoma, a common skin cancer. The bad news is that the scientists are doing the study in an attempt to extract and duplicate the assumed active component and turn it into a drug. That drug could then be sold for enormous Big Pharma profits and access to the herb will become illegal, because it will be redefined as a controlled drug.

By the way, the fact that Euphorbia peplus cures skin cancer is not a grand new scientific discovery. It's well known among herbalists and in healing lore for its curative powers in cancer and other conditions. When used topically, there's little risk beyond a bit of skin burning. However, we're now being warned not to use Euphorbia peplus on our own, but instead to wait for a patented drug to be sold by Big Pharma and applied by a Doctor Near You—for a highly significant price, of course.

*Euphorbia peplus, the Herb*

Euphorbia peplus has several common names, including at least one that's also used for another completely unrelated plant. Some of them are:

- Petty spurge: Spurge is the common term for the Euphorbia family.
- Radium plant
- Cancer plant (with obvious reason)
- Milkweed: This name may result in some confusion. The common milkweed that monarch butterflies rely on in North America is completely unrelated. The taxonomic name for it is Asclepias.

Euphorbia peplus is a fairly small plant that can reach a little more than a foot in height. It's rather attractive and can grow in marginal locations, making it an enduring weed. Though it has been used orally in small quantities, it is noted for its purgative action, which is a good indication that it's poisonous. It has been shown to cause internal bleeding when eaten by goats and other farm herbivores, and is likely related to esophageal cancer in them.

However, it has long been known for its effectiveness on skin growths, including cancers (though not melanomas), warts, and callouses. The sap, also called latex because it's thick and white, is known to be irritating to the skin, and some people find it quite painful, though most do not report more than mild irritation. Its use is limited to application to skin with overgrowths, such as squamous cell carcinomas and warts. There is no known benefit of application to healthy skin, and such application tends to be painful. It can cause burning to sensitive mucous membranes and the eye, even to the point of blindness, so obviously should not be applied in those locations.

*The Study*

The sap was applied directly to squamous cell, basal cell, and intraepidural carcinomas on patients who had not responded to conventional medical treatments including surgery, who had refused those treatments, or were considered poor risks because of age. The sap was applied with a cotton swab once a day for three days.

At the end of a single month, 41 out of 48 cancers had disappeared. The 7 patients who hadn't achieved a full response were given another round of treatment. The patients were followed for an average of 15 months. In that time, two-thirds of the 48 had no recurrence.

The results at the end of the trial for each type of cancer were:

- Basal Cell Carcinoma: 57% clear of cancer
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma: 50% clear of cancer
- Intraepidural Carcinoma: 75% clear of cancer

Very limited adverse effects were noted. 43% of the patients reported no pain from treatment. Only 14% reported pain severe enough to call it "moderate", and one person suffered from "severe" but localized and short term pain. Cosmetically, the results were described as "pleasing".

*Study Implications*

Since the study has documented that Euphorbia peplus is both safe and effective, do you suppose that they're suggesting people give it a try? Not on your life! That would cross the almighty Big Pharma Profit.

They're trying to warn people that they shouldn't try it at home because it could be dangerous. It might harm your eyes if you get any sap in them. Oh yes, let's not forget that it could be poisonous if eaten. So, because you might get some in your eyes, you can't be trusted to apply it youself—and you also can't be trusted enough to avoid eating it.

We poor pathetic stupid sheeple are just too dumb to be entrusted with our own health. So, we must hand ourselves over to doctors—and pay them for the privilege. They will apply a purified or synthesized form of the active ingredient, which will lose the synergistic benefits of the plant, but gain enormous profits for Big Pharma and the doctors.

According to Kimberley Carter of the British Association of Dermatologists, we also need to worry because:

"The concentration of the active ingredients in the sap also varies between different plants, with high doses able to cause very severe and excessive inflammatory responses."

Of course, the final reason we shouldn't "try this at home" is that it's still experimental! A herb that's been known for who-knows-how-long as a skin cancer and wart cure has suddenly become experimental?

We're supposed to believe that we should fear everything that comes from nature—and trust Big Pharma and Big Medicine to do the right thing for us.

There's a good reason for promulgating such a belief. You see, the type of skin cancer that can be cured by the humble Euphorbia peplus happens to account for a third of all cancers—not all skin cancers, but all cancers—in the UK. That's a heap of profits that Big Pharma and Big Medicine have their eyes on.

We're witnessing the co-opting of nature and the knowledge of our ancestors for the profits of Big Pharma and Big Medicine. Our heritage of both natural cures and knowledge of them is being stolen.

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If you haven't already, please sign the Stop the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD) Petition (http://www.gopetition.com/petition/39757.html) to help stop this co-opting of our natural heritage.

Read the original here: http://tinyurl.com/4z9owg9