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A few years ago I came across an article about cancer prevention using herbs and spices. I like to be proactive in this area so I went out and bought all 18, including the world's most expensive spice Saffron,turned them all to dust, put in a gallon jug and some in a shaker that I have used 2x a day ever since.  
What I am curious about is #1) has anybody else done this and #2) how are you???  
Thanks for the place to ask eBrandon!  
 
https://realfarmacy.com/18-powerful-spices-scientifically-proven-to-prevent-and-treat-cancer/

I doubt I'd ever do this.  
I figure if I'm going to get cancer I'm going to get cancer. There's too much quackery & spin on most 'preventative measures' to convince me to waste saffron/drink more (or is it less this week?!?) wine/stick an onion in my sock to keep cancer at bay. But if it 'works' for you then good for you!

hobbes said "I doubt I'd ever do this.   I figure if I'm going to get cancer I'm going to get cancer. There's too much quackery & spin on most 'preventative measures' to convince me to waste saffron/drink more (or is it less this week?!?) wine/stick an onion in my sock to keep cancer at bay. But if it 'works' for you then good for you! "

I'm not surprised you have not tried them, nor was it what I asked.  
I am looking to see if others tried it with or without success.

hobbes said "I doubt I'd ever do this.   I figure if I'm going to get cancer I'm going to get cancer. There's too much quackery & spin on most 'preventative measures' to convince me to waste saffron/drink more (or is it less this week?!?) wine/stick an onion in my sock to keep cancer at bay. But if it 'works' for you then good for you! "

Saffron is not a drink  
https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/11-benefits-saffron/

hobbes said "I doubt I'd ever do this.   I figure if I'm going to get cancer I'm going to get cancer. There's too much quackery & spin on most 'preventative measures' to convince me to waste saffron/drink more (or is it less this week?!?) wine/stick an onion in my sock to keep cancer at bay. But if it 'works' for you then good for you! "

Noone! That is why I ask seamingly innocent questions but they unseamingly apply to reactive cancer traitements.  
I am proactive cancer- not reactive cancer treatments

Why are jumping all over the first response? Because it wasn’t what you wanted to hear? Calm down

no I have not used it.  
 
Even the healthiest of people get cancer.  
 
We all have the cancer cells - of course people who smoke, and do things that are 100% known to cause cancer will "maybe" get it.  
 
But people who work hard at being very healthy and mindful will "maybe" get it too - you cannot live in the bubble and the environment around u.  
 
 
Obsessing over "I might get it", is just stressing you out. Stress, anxiety, maybe money issues if you are buying all this expensive stuff, that is all probably not proven by Medical doctors to help.....well, that is not helping your mental health.  
 
Be happy and live day by day.  
 
Edited by Brenda.., 2018-07-29 17:43:43

Saffaron is healthy if you use it in a small amount as many type of spices. However I doubt any of them individually or using them in large amount prevent cancer. Use them in small amount with other healthy food choices like fruit and vegetables. Saffaron has been using in many Persian cookings but there is cancer among them too. Also note that too much saffron at once has side effect. I heard that you might laugh until you die I have to research this to be sure though. Other spices too have side effects. Cinnamon also will be deathly if you eat too much at once

I think all of the herbs and spices in that article are good and they have lots of health benefits when have been used moderately.

My question was lost with first answer and all subsequent 'answers'. I won't be asking anymore questions here.

Smoothie said "    hobbes said "I doubt I'd ever do this.   I figure if I'm going to get cancer I'm going to get cancer. There's too much quackery & spin on most 'preventative measures' to convince me to waste saffron/drink more (or is it less this week?!?) wine/stick an onion in my sock to keep cancer at bay. But if it 'works' for you then good for you! " I'm not surprised you have not tried them, nor was it what I asked.   I am looking to see if others tried it with or without success. "

Lol! Calm down.  
And yes. I know what saffron is!

Smoothie said "My question was lost with first answer and all subsequent 'answers'. I won't be asking anymore questions here. "

Perhaps some of those spices, etc. have melatonin in them for a bit of a calm down.  
 
This is what these forums are about - people expressing their views, just in a different way that adds to the discussion.  
 
You may not always get the answer you are looking for, or perhaps your question wasn't exact enough for others.

I've decided to let the jerk in me come out a bit, I will answer the original two questions. No I have not tried this and for the second answer, I think I'm just fine.  
When a person asks a question, you have to be prepared for the negative side as well, the way the question was asked it left it open for the "no" people to respond, and not only did they respond, they voiced their opinions on why they were "no" people.  
I'm the kind of person who loves saskatoons, blueberries, chokecherries, black cherries and plums and other fruits that are supposed to have great health benefits because of antioxidants and other chemicals in them that fight inflamation and supposibly other joint problems. The thing is I don't eat them for that reason, I eat them because I like them, any health benefits I guess a bonus.  
I'm going to go back to the idea of a trigger for cancer, the HPV virus has sort of been proven to cause cancers. The designing of a vaccine to prevent the virus was an idea to fight the types of cancer caused by this virus. With that being said, one should stop and think how a virus works. When infected with a virus our body has to fight it off, but the damage caused by the virus before being destroyed likely was the result of cancers caused by HPV.  
Not knowing the exact trigger, is one of the largest problems facing cancer reasearchers, also factoring in the differences in individual genomes, affects how a persons body will react to treatment, as well as whether you develope cancer from known triggers, example would be not all smokers get cancer.

Best answer!!  
 
Quite obviously smoothie only wanted to hear from people who have tried the herbal and spices preventative-and quite obviously not many here have. To be honest, i consider realfarmacy.com to be a bit of a quack site so i probably wouldnt be trying anything recommended on there. I try to eat healthy while still eating things I like to eat-and I am doing quite well thank you. I see no reason to add herbs and spices - not an herbs and spices person to be honest. At this point I would have to say the addition of those things wouldn't be likely to create any improvement to my well being.

don brown said "I've decided to let the jerk in me come out a bit, I will answer the original two questions. No I have not tried this and for the second answer, I think I'm just fine.   When a person asks a question, you have to be prepared for the negative side as well, the way the question was asked it left it open for the "no" people to respond, and not only did they respond, they voiced their opinions on why they were "no" people.   I'm the kind of person who loves saskatoons, blueberries, chokecherries, black cherries and plums and other fruits that are supposed to have great health benefits because of antioxidants and other chemicals in them that fight inflamation and supposibly other joint problems. The thing is I don't eat them for that reason, I eat them because I like them, any health benefits I guess a bonus.   I'm going to go back to the idea of a trigger for cancer, the HPV virus has sort of been proven to cause cancers. The designing of a vaccine to prevent the virus was an idea to fight the types of cancer caused by this virus. With that being said, one should stop and think how a virus works. When infected with a virus our body has to fight it off, but the damage caused by the virus before being destroyed likely was the result of cancers caused by HPV.   Not knowing the exact trigger, is one of the largest problems facing cancer reasearchers, also factoring in the differences in individual genomes, affects how a persons body will react to treatment, as well as whether you develope cancer from known triggers, example would be not all smokers get cancer. "

It's obvious that question 2 was referring to a positive answer to #1. It's hard to believe that a simple question about spices can lead to views on berries!  
I guess if you ask a simple question you're bound to get a lot of simple answers.  
I'm out if here for good.

We are talking of being proactive about cancer, and with abit of reading you may decide to add some of these fruits to your diet, because of the idea if they possibly have cancer fighting properties. Remember it is about being proactive, or am I seeing some negativity.

don brown said "We are talking of being proactive about cancer, and with abit of reading you may decide to add some of these fruits to your diet, because of the idea if they possibly have cancer fighting properties. Remember it is about being proactive, or am I seeing some negativity. "

It just seems that when I post something with positive thoughts in mind, there are negatives coming from everywhere.  
As for plums, blueberries and cherries, they make up a small part of my daily Smoothie.

Seem to be the world we live in. When we look around and see the number of people that are affected by cancer being proactive isn't a bad thing.  
I'm just stuck with the reality of life, and at times I've been chewed out about how I address life, from a very early age I understood there are no guarentees, my philosophy has been, we are all terminal, it's just the date we are unsure of.  
Even with all the negativity, live life as you choose to live it, and never be afraid to go out on that limb and ask, that's how we find out what is right for us as an individual,  
 
Take care, and enjoy life.

Smoothie said "    Brenda.. said "    Smoothie said "    Brenda.. said "    Smoothie said "My question was lost with first answer and all subsequent 'answers'. I won't be asking anymore questions here. " Perhaps some of those spices, etc. have melatonin in them for a bit of a calm down.     This is what these forums are about - people expressing their views, just in a different way that adds to the discussion.     You may not always get the answer you are looking for, or perhaps your question wasn't exact enough for others. " A new word " almost every thread. " Did you know there are exactly the same number of IQ's above average as below average. I can PM and explain if you like. "

You are way, way off topic of your original question.  
 
I was only saying you can try all you want with herbs, spices, etc. But you cannot do anything about the environment around you.  
 
I believe my very first line said - no I have not used this.  
So you probably figured out I was not going to be able to answer your question, could have skipped right on by my post.  
 
Edited by Brenda.., 2018-07-30 06:11:22

If you are using this make sure it has at least 3-5% piperine. Otherwise it has poor biovailbility.

Cjford said "If you are using this make sure it has at least 3-5% piperine. Otherwise it has poor biovailbility. "

...I get my curcumin from #18, ground turmeric. I believe I get good absorption by adding fresh ground pepper to the 18 herbs and spices I put on my 3 eggs fried lightly in olive oil every morning. The same 19 are put on my supper, no matter what it is, and I am pretty sure the absorption is nothing compared to olive oil but no harm done I figure.  
Thank you for your input: it is valuable information to know. Here is a good read on the subject:  
https://dailyhealthpost.com/turmeric-olive-oil-and-black-pepper-make-for-a-powerful-cancer-fighting-drink/

I think it is taking everything over the top in regards to consuming all 18 spices in a powder to shake on your food. I just looked up clove and it was more cancer fighting soaking it in ethanol making an extract vs just eating it. Are you consuming each spice in its recommended serving amount? Looking at the list of spices I consume all of them but just in a specific amount per dish. I love garlic. We eat cloves of it. From what I have seen is there is no way to be totally free of whatever ailment may arise. My healthy eating physically fit neighbor died recently as a total shock to everyone. So no matter how hard you try either you are going to get it or you won't. There are so many fruits, berries, spices, even marijuana is said to fight cancer cells. At what lengths will you go before it starts affecting you just trying to fight off a potential disease? Are you being consumed on trying to be pro-active?

With the ever-changing risks of an advancing society and the EXTREME lag we have in catching up, I would question any such measures as these. And this isn't even taking into consideration the pseudo-science aspect. There is big money in even recipes claiming disease reversal. I occasionally tear some of this stuff to shreds on my blog. The number of hits those posts get tells me exactly how much money is on the table.  
 
This is not to say that a healthy lifestyle is not a good thing. Many illnesses can be prevented by such. However, I sense that cancer is not one of them.  
 
It is what it is.

Fishin Guy said "I think it is taking everything over the top in regards to consuming all 18 spices in a powder to shake on your food. I just looked up clove and it was more cancer fighting soaking it in ethanol making an extract vs just eating it. Are you consuming each spice in its recommended serving amount? Looking at the list of spices I consume all of them but just in a specific amount per dish. I love garlic. We eat cloves of it. From what I have seen is there is no way to be totally free of whatever ailment may arise. My healthy eating physically fit neighbor died recently as a total shock to everyone. So no matter how hard you try either you are going to get it or you won't. There are so many fruits, berries, spices, even marijuana is said to fight cancer cells. At what lengths will you go before it starts affecting you just trying to fight off a potential disease? Are you being consumed on trying to be pro-active? "

It's delicious!!  
Truth be told I use 2 more shakers. One has chia,quinoa, hemp hearts and powdered flax.  
The other has several nuts that I turned to powder to mix in my smoothie and I won't even begin to tell you about the greens and fruit in it.  
I am in my 70's, have not had a cold or flu since I was a kid, I am on absolutely no medications, I weight lift and walk and bike daily and I feel great.  
That being said: all I originally wanted to know is if anybody else had tried that one thing. I never said it works. I am simply curious!!  
Anyway, it's true that I might drop dead any moment but I'll use my brain and listen to what scientific research comes up with regarding cancer and being proactive. Beats the hell out of letting a doctor be reactive with chemo.  
Have a great day-I certainly will!  
Tennis?

When surrounded be pessimism and doom and gloom no matter what some people do, I keep thinking and doing this:  
Twixt the optimist and pessimist  
The difference is droll:  
The optimist sees the donut,  
While the pessimist sees a hole!!

My answers are: #1 No, #2: Fine as far as I know at the moment. Of course, a life free of disease is not guaranteed, but we can try to make what time we have to be better in the short time we are given.  
 
Now that I have answered your questions, here is my take on the cancer subject.  
 
I don't doubt that any of these herbs & spices may help, but the answer could be in dosages, specific combinations (or not combining certain ones), your body type (what is referred to in herbalism as hot/cold/vatta/pitta, and other various terms) and more. These are things to keep in mind and learn about so you are better informed to properly use each spice/herb as you move forward if you wish to do more than just use in a culinary way. I suspect that you may see other health benefits by taking some of these herbs or spices as you are doing, but with more knowledge, you might find that they might be more effective if used in a different way/form. In small culinary amounts, none of these will hurt you, so no harm done.  
 
I have had cancer. With the type that I had, it was pre-determined before I was born. I was 1 of 5 in 8,000,000 at the time. There was nothing that I could have done to prevent it. It showed up at the age where it is said to appear. Thankfully it is not hereditary. I thankfully was not faced with any chemo (I am one who would still choose against it for myself) and have been cancer-free for many years now.  
 
I am glad that I had cancer. It was a gift. It taught me many things about myself and other people that not many people have the privilege to learn.  
 
Needless to say, my eating habits weren't super horrible, but needed a change. So, I changed to eating more real food (I mainly cooked from scratch already), less processed (and avoiding some common synthetic additives...BTW tastes WAY better), eating unsprayed foods as I can, reducing plastic contact with food & commercially canned foods, no cosmetics, no sunscreen/blocks/synthetic bug spray, using natural cleaners, no unhealthy health fads/"foods" and adding cancer-fighting type foods to my diet here & there (but not anything intensive).  
 
I have an interest in herbs and spices as I like a variety of tasty food. I am not obsessive, and have worked on change over many years. My work will continue to improve as a lifestyle until my days are up as I keep learning more all the time. That being said, there is a lot outside my control, so I can only do so much and understand that no matter what I do, I will die of something eventually. My goal is to enjoy a better, more purposeful life in the meantime.  
 
I have developed an interest in learning about spices, herbs and common weeds (fresh, dry, tinctures, decoctions, poultices, etc.) from trusted and respected top herbalists, (Western, Ayurveda...East Indian medicine, Chinese) and one day would like to possibly pursue it professionally. There is a lot you can do to be proactive with almost anything, but you have to keep in mind correct dosages, combinations, interactions and more.  
 
There is a lot of hype & money when cancer is the subject. There is money greed on both sides, and with it, shadiness and incorrect information. Treading carefully and with eyes wide open is wise. This is why I like to take blogs & whatnot with a grain of salt, and check it against the proven wisdom of ages past through these learned people. Modern science backs up these folks I follow...and so does experience of generations past, which speaks loud & clear. There is a lot of trash out there, but there can be some good stuff too.  
 
*Just a note on using flax seed. It should always be freshly ground just before use. Any seed (including other grains) quickly loses nutrition the minute the seed is crushed/broken/ground. You might want to keep your ground nuts in the freezer too to help them stay good and not have them start to go bad.*  
 
Edited by Flutterby, 2018-07-30 14:34:25

Flutterby said "My answers are: #1 No, #2: Fine as far as I know at the moment. Of course, a life free of disease is not guaranteed, but we can try to make what time we have to be better in the short time we are given.     Now that I have answered your questions, here is my take on the cancer subject.     I don't doubt that any of these herbs & spices may help, but the answer could be in dosages, specific combinations (or not combining certain ones), your body type (what is referred to in herbalism as hot/cold/vatta/pitta, and other various terms) and more. These are things to keep in mind and learn about so you are better informed to properly use each spice/herb as you move forward if you wish to do more than just use in a culinary way. I suspect that you may see other health benefits by taking some of these herbs or spices as you are doing, but with more knowledge, you might find that they might be more effective if used in a different way/form. In small culinary amounts, none of these will hurt you, so no harm done.     I have had cancer. With the type that I had, it was pre-determined before I was born. I was 1 of 5 in 8,000,000 at the time. There was nothing that I could have done to prevent it. It showed up at the age where it is said to appear. Thankfully it is not hereditary. I thankfully was not faced with any chemo (I am one who would still choose against it for myself) and have been cancer-free for many years now.     I am glad that I had cancer. It was a gift. It taught me many things about myself and other people that not many people have the privilege to learn.     Needless to say, my eating habits weren't super horrible, but needed a change. So, I changed to eating more real food (I mainly cooked from scratch already), less processed (and avoiding some common synthetic additives...BTW tastes WAY better), eating unsprayed foods as I can, reducing plastic contact with food & commercially canned foods, no cosmetics, no sunscreen/blocks/synthetic bug spray, using natural cleaners, no unhealthy health fads/"foods" and adding cancer-fighting type foods to my diet here & there (but not anything intensive).     I have an interest in herbs and spices as I like a variety of tasty food. I am not obsessive, and have worked on change over many years. My work will continue to improve as a lifestyle until my days are up as I keep learning more all the time. That being said, there is a lot outside my control, so I can only do so much and understand that no matter what I do, I will die of something eventually. My goal is to enjoy a better, more purposeful life in the meantime.     I have developed an interest in learning about spices, herbs and common weeds (fresh, dry, tinctures, decoctions, poultices, etc.) from trusted and respected top herbalists, (Western, Ayurveda...East Indian medicine, Chinese) and one day would like to possibly pursue it professionally. There is a lot you can do to be proactive with almost anything, but you have to keep in mind correct dosages, combinations, interactions and more.     There is a lot of hype & money when cancer is the subject. There is money greed on both sides, and with it, shadiness and incorrect information. Treading carefully and with eyes wide open is wise. This is why I like to take blogs & whatnot with a grain of salt, and check it against the proven wisdom of ages past through these learned people. Modern science backs up these folks I follow...and so does experience of generations past, which speaks loud & clear. There is a lot of trash out there, but there can be some good stuff too.     *Just a note on using flax seed. It should always be freshly ground just before use. Any seed (including other grains) quickly loses nutrition the minute the seed is crushed/broken/ground. You might want to keep your ground nuts in the freezer too to help them stay good and not have them start to go bad.*     Edited by Flutterby, 2018-07-30 14:34:25"

Thank you for your comments and advice. I will move my flax and ground nuts from the top shelf to freezer after typing this.  
There is no question that I do not have a good handle on the myriad of things I take in..portion wise. I have always thought of my spice/herb shakers as a little insurance for anything I may have forgotten.  
I am trying hard to learn and thank you for your thought provoking comments.

...I truly believe that our immune system can take out cancer easily!  
What I do not know and what I am guessing at is-what does MY immune system needs to do this?  
May be anybody's guess, msy be mine,I bet it is learned one day as something simple

...I truly believe that our immune system can take out cancer easily!  
What I do not know and what I am guessing at is-what does MY immune system needs to do this?  
May be anybody's guess, msy be mine,I bet it is learned one day as something simple

NiteHawk said "I feel your frustration. You asked two simple questions and got many replies but none from ppl who actually tried what you are trying. Compare this to the thread about travelling in North and South Dakota. Not one person in that thread replied saying "well i haven't actually travelled to those places, but here's why i think you shouldn't go there." Instead it provided a nice detailed list of attractions to see and also to avoid. Again, I feel your frustration. "

Seems kind of silly in some sense but it is nice to know there are people who can follow a chain of thought.  
I have endured some 'remarks', I'll call them that have absolutely 100% nothing to do with the topic.  
Think