Cancer Plants for Arid & Desert Conditions

The plants mentioned on this page are suitable for very dry conditions. Some thrive in both heat and cold, but all are drought tolerant.

Boswellia

German doctors and naturopaths are getting excellent results — in ten days or less — with an Indian herb, Boswellia serrata, in the treatment of brain tumors.

Cancer Bush

Cancer Bush is native to the southern parts of Africa where it is a perennial. Though often used as a panacea for everything from the common cold to AIDS and cancer, it is actually a tonic herb, albeit one with antitumoral properties. The dried leaves and stems are used internally. This plant is very drought tolerant and requires little care; it does not however like frost. 

Chapparal 

Larrea tridentata is an ancient herb that thrives in the arid deserts.  It can be readily found in the Mojave, Sonaran, and Chihuahuan deserts as well as Death Valley, but its territory includes parts of New Mexico and Texas as well. It has waxy green leaves all year long, more if it rains!  The yellow flowers turn into small gray fruits that attract foraging animals. The plant can reach about 10 feet in height and it is said to live thousands of years.  

Guggul

The guggul plant is the source of a precious resin used in incense, but it possesses many valuable medicinal properties as well as having a lovely aroma. Guggul is a rasayana herb, meaning it is both antioxidant and life sustaining. It emulsifies lipids and therefore is used extensively in obesity, but it also lowers cholesterol as well as the risk of heart attacks.   

Myrrh

Myrrh trees can be found throughout northern tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The tree reaches about 15 feet in height, is spiny, and drought tolerant. The gum is harvested by making cuts in the bark.