At first, I thought this email we received was spam. Then I saw it came direct from Purdue University, and read on. It's legit news, and this development is fascinating and hopeful when it comes to cancer therapy. However, I'm posting it here because I can already picture Internet rumors going around claiming that oregano and thyme can cure cancer. That's not the case with this finding, so please don't feed your dog or cat gobs of the two herbs! Follow the link to learn more.

Plant scientists find recipe for anti-cancer compound in herbs

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Thyme and oregano possess an anti-cancer compound that suppresses tumor development, but adding more to your tomato sauce isn't enough to gain significant benefit. The key to unlocking the power of these plants is in amplifying the amount of the compound created or synthesizing the compound for drug development.

Researchers at Purdue University achieved the first step toward using the compound in pharmaceuticals by mapping its biosynthetic pathway, a sort of molecular recipe of the ingredients and steps needed.

"These plants contain important compounds, but the amount is very low and extraction won't be enough," said Natalia Dudareva, a Distinguished Professor of Biochemistry in Purdue's College of Agriculture, who co-led the project. "By understanding how these compounds are formed, we open a path to engineering plants with higher levels of them or to synthesizing the compounds in microorganisms for medical use. "It is an amazing time for plant science right now. We have tools that are faster, cheaper and provide much more insight. It is like looking inside the cell; it is almost unbelievable."  

READ MORE