Cancer Cure?

An email that I received a few days ago sounds interesting and intriguing as it detailed the efficacy of asparagus against cancer. I have always known that asparagus spears are good aphrodisiac, but this is the first time that I hear about its positive effect in cancer treatment.

It's not really news, because in 1854 a professor from the University of Pennsylvania edited a literature referred to a "Materia Medica" which made the claim that asparagus is a popular remedy for kidney stones.

The book even makes reference to experiments done as early as 1739 on the power of asparagus in dissolving stones.

Here are some of the cases mentioned in the email message: 1)a man with an almost hopeless case of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands)who was completely incapacitated; 2)a 68 years old businessman who suffered from cancer of the bladder; 3)a man who had lung cancer; 4)a woman with skin cancer - all of them were relieved of their symptoms and eventually got well.

The asparagus spears are supposed to be cooked, either boiled or steamed, then placed in a blender to make a puree. This should be kept in the fridge. Each morning and evening four table spoons should be taken. It may be diluted with water and may be taken as a cold or hot drink.

Sounds very simple. I cannot exactly imagine the taste, but as an asparagus lover, I think I will like the drink.

Asparagus is said to contain a protein called histones, believed to be active in controlling cell growth which probably accounts for its action on cancer. It can be considered as a general body tonic or a cell growth normalizer.

The guys in the General Santos or South Cotabato area who are planting asparagus must have heard about this. I wonder why Del Monte is not riding on this bit of "useful" information?