The miracle of manioc

The humble manioc is turning out to be a miracle food that could hold the ultimate secret to curing cancer. According to Dr. Channa Jayasumana, lecturer, Rajarata University Medical Faculty, new research has in fact proved that manioc, the yam and the leaves, both have cancer curing properties. The research findings had also showed that manioc leaves could have a cure for kidney diseases.

"Manioc is a nutritious food and those who consume manioc may never have to face the many health hazards others fall prey to, Dr. Jayasumana said. He was addressing a workshop organised by the Kirindiwela-Diyawela Manioc Cultivators Association, under the theme 'Healthy Local Food Consumption' at the Kirindiwela Village Conference Hall. Expressing hope that maniac yam would be introduced to the market in various forms, Dr. Jayasumana said manioc leaves, which are mostly consumed as 'mallum' in Sri Lanka at present, will be supplied to the market as a tasty food using modern technology.

He said, there was a lot of misconception about the humble, yet invaluable, tuber in the minds of people, and claimed much of it had arisen a misrepresented article written by him. Expressing his sorrow about the misconception, he however said the present process of manioc cultivation, where chemicals, in crystal and liquid form, are used to destroy weeds, remove other unwanted plants and prepare the soil, were not suitable for manioc cultivation.

"It is similar to putting cow dung in the milk pot. I ask the local farmers to cultivate manioc using natural methods without depending on agrochemicals. Then the quality and the nutrients in the manioc yam can be protected, Dr. Jayasumana said, adding that produced in an organic manner, manioc could even sold in foreign markets.

Ayurvedic Dr. Y.P. Seneviratne, talking on the theme 'Ayurvedic Medical Science' said Sinhala Ayurveda Medical System had also proved that eating manioc could help cure certain non-communicable diseases like cancer and kidney diseases.

"Western medical research has also proved this fact," he pointed out, explaining that since the earlier days he has been instructing patients who come to him for treatment of cancer and kidney related diseases, to add manioc in their daily food. He said he also included manioc in his menu at least two times a week and that those who follow his instructions are in good health.

President of the Kirindiwela Manioc Cultivators Association, A.L. Chandana, held a practical demonstration about manioc cultivation and operating tractors and seed processing machines and methods of preparing the soil.

Manioc cured my cancer - Dr. Cynthia Jayasuriya

ENT Surgeon, Dr. Cynthia Jayasuriya, addressing the gathering via Skype, said she had been diagnosed with cancer and eating manioc had helped cure her of the disease. "As a western medical practitioner I have served in hospitals for many years. When I was diagnosed with cancer, I underwent treatment for a long time. But with the lapse of time the disease became severe and there was hardly any improvement. My doctor instructed that I undergo surgery. Being a doctor I know the severity of such surgeries and the pain after the surgery. So I did not agree to the surgery," Dr. Jayasuriya said, explaining, "I searched in the internet for alternate medicines which have been used for cancer in various countries. I found that people in developed countries like America, use apple seed and certain other grains for cancer."

Dr Jayasuriya said during her search she had found out that manioc had the same nutrient value as the seeds used in the western world for cancer. "I got my children to bring home manioc and ate it boiled three times a day. Overtime I saw my health condition gradually improving. I felt an easiness in the body," she said.

Later she went to her oncologist, who after carrying out the necessary checkups, asked what she had done, as there were no detectable trace of cancer in her body. "Without any hesitation I said I ate manioc three times a day and that manioc was the reason the change," she said, but pointed out that the doctors were not ready to scientifically accept this. "But I am telling my cancer was cured because I ate manioc."

Cynthia's story

I developed secondary bladder cancer, seven years after I was diagnosed with transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter. My kidney, ureter and part of the bladder were removed. I had radiation to the abdomen thereafter. I was hale and hearty for seven years but on the seventh year I experienced blood in the urine, as I had developed a growth in the bladder. It was once again transitional cell carcinoma.

The new growth was removed, but I was worried about a recurrence. While I was convalescing I learnt about Apricot seed kernel that was being used in Australia and USA in place of chemotherapy. The apricot seed kernel has a substance called Vitamin B17, which was discovered by a British doctor who worked in a remote region in Afghanistan as a missionary. He found the people of the area measured their riches according to the number of Apricot trees they owned. They ate not only the apricots but also the apricot seed kernels.

The apricot seed kernel looks like an almond in shape, size and smell. This is also known as the 'bitter almond'. The doctor discovered that people of the region did not suffer from cancer. After investigating the doctor found that the seed kernel contained a substance, which has been given the name Vitamin B17.

As I was having cancer I was curious about any food that had B17. By browsing the internet I found that manioc also had a large concentration of Vitamin B17. So I ate the manioc minimum of 10 grams three times a day. After having consumed it for one month I underwent a cystoscopy (examination of the bladder) at the General Hospital by the same surgeon who treated me. He was surprised that my bladder was absolutely clean and normal. "There was no place to take any biopsy" were his very words to me.

While I was taking the manioc I was feeling very fit and well and people around me noticed that I looked well.

Armed with the examination results of the bladder examination I published my story for the well-being of all cancer patients in Sri Lanka.

Since then every three months I have gone for examination of the bladder under the same surgeon and every time my bladder has been clear. Up till now I have not taken any treatment other than eating the manioc.

In a more simplistic way I would like to explain how the Vitamin B17 in the manioc acts. The scientific name of vitamin B17 is Amagadolin. We know that cancer cells are immature cells and it has a different enzyme to the normal cell enzyme.

When the Vitamin B17 combines with a normal cell enzyme it breaks down into 3 sugars but when it combines with the cancer cell enzyme it breaks into 1 sugar 1 benzaldehyde and 1 hydrocyanic acid.

The hydrocyanic acid kills the cancer cell locally. What happens is that there is a substance called B17 in the apricot seed kernel (and in manioc), which when combined with a normal cell enzyme breaks down into three sugars.

When B17 combines with a cancer cell (an immature cell) it breaks down into one sugar, one benzaldehyde and one hydrocyanic acid. The hydrocyanic acid kills the cancer cell.

- Excerpts from 'My wonder drug for cancer' by Dr. Cynthia Jayasuriya, published in the Sunday Observer, July 24, 2011