You must be intrigued by the above title. Well, you will not only be intrigued, as your columnist felt, but also be enraged after you finish reading this column. This is the Graviola story.
In the 1970s, a leading American pharmaceutical company stumbled upon a miracle medicinal plant, the Graviola tree, growing far in the Amazon rainforest. What scientific tests revealed in the laboratories was about to radically change the concept and process of cancer treatment and survival rate.
Native South American Indians used the Graviola tree for medicinal purposes. They treated heart, liver, and other diseases with its bark, leaves, roots, fruit, and seeds. Scientists at the drug-making center discovered Graviola’s powerful cancer healing properties, but the euphoria did not last long: the revelation faced a stonewall! Federal law does not allow the patenting of natural products, therefore, no big money in the discovery. No money; no cancer therapy! Sooner than expected, the Graviola tree was buried alive at birth.
Miraculously, one conscientious research team member chose to speak up and pass the information to a medicinal plant manufacturer, hoping to abort the cover-up. The National Cancer Institute, in 1976, picked it up and reached the conclusion that the Graviola tree “leaves and stems were found effective in attacking and destroying malignant cells.” Again, the news of the research was destined not to see daylight!
Fortunately at the other end of the world, testing was taken up. The Catholic University of South Korea research revealed that a Graviola compound is 10,000 times more powerful than any chemical therapy to destroy colon cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells intact, and without chemo side-effects.
A Purdue University study showed Graviola leaves wiping out cancer cells particularly in those with prostate, pancreas, and lung cancers.
Hearing of this potent cancer-wiping plant, Health Scientists Institute (HIS) followed up on the tree’s research. Fortunately after years of dead silence, the Graviola story is there for everyone in an HSI report, “Beyond Chemotherapy: New Cancer Killers, Safe as Mother’s Milk.”
By now, Graviola therapy should have been available to all, if only...! I really do not know how chemo-treated cancer patients or those who lost loved ones to cancer feel as they read the Graviola story. If they are outraged I understand their reaction towards the profit oriented drug industry and their complacent scientists. On the other hand, we must salute the courageous and conscientious scientist who risked his career for the sake of humanity. Though they are only a few, dedicated scientists who refuse to be intimidated by special interest groups should be appreciated and rewarded. It takes a brave one to blow the whistle!
The public deserves to be aware in order to benefit of the miracle Graviola cure. That is why we should become vocal and proactive rather than silent and passive. So, keep the Graviola story alive!
Note: I am grateful to the Health Scientists Institute report on the Graviola story and others. Visit their website, [email protected], to learn more.
— Mariam Alireza is a holistic science specialist. Send comments to [email protected]. Log on to arabnews.com for previous articles.
