Although researchers have considered the possibility that the bark of the White Birch tree might contain a compound, known as betulinol, with the ability to fight prostate cancer, until recently there was no way to test it because they did not know how to make the compound water-soluble.

Now that Weill Medical College of Cornell University researchers have solved that problem, laboratory tests on mice are showing it is indeed effective in killing prostate cancer cells.

"Years of research appear to have paid off, and now animal tests on this potential anti-cancer agent can finally proceed. Already, in mouse studies, we've found that our water-soluble compound - called Boc-lysinated-betulonic acid -- has achieved up to 92 percent inhibition of prostate tumor growth compared to controls," states lead researcher Dr. Brij Saxena.

While the study into the cancer-fighting properties of the White Birch tree might be new, the White Birch tree has a history of medicinal uses. According to the Living Memorials Project website White Birch tree information page, Native American Indians used the leaves and bark of the tree as a tea to treat fevers, stomach upset, and rheumatism. The bark was boiled to make poultices for minor wounds, and an oil made from the bark to treat bladder infections, rheumatism, gout and nerve pain. In Europe, the leaves were used to treat skin rashes, hair loss, rheumatic complaints, and to purify the blood. Birch tar oil was used to treat chronic skin diseases.

The Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases of United States Department of Agriculture includes information on betulin and betulinic acid as showing that it inhibits cancer, and the compound is also known to be anticarcinomic; anti-flu; anti-inflammatory; antiviral; and a prostaglandin-synthesis-inhibitor.

The past might hold secrets to unlocking the mysteries we encounter today in the most obscure places, like dusty books that sit on a shelf until someone is curious enough to read what is written on the pages, or fortunate enough to be given the treasure of such a book. While visiting the Republic of Guinea and meeting with some of the country's top health officials, Dr. Michael Wargovich was given a book, "Pharmacopée Traditionale Guineenne," that highlighted about 60 of the country's different plants and their health properties. Dr. Wargovich discovered entries from the book about the medicinal properties in the bark of mahogany trees and the healing power it might offer for understanding cancer. The National Cancer Institute, NCI, is interested in Dr. Wargovich's find, and has given him a $300,000, two-year grant to study mahogany, and four other medicinal plants native to West Africa -- traditionally used for pain relief, fever and inflammation -- in how these traditional remedies might interact to prevent or inhibit the growth of cancer tumors. According to NCI and Dr. Wargovich, the study is the first of its kind, and could be a major first step to other studies of medicinal plants and cancer.

For his study, Wargovich will focus on extracts from five West African plants: the neem tree, baobab tree, Senegal mahogany, African basil and kinkirissi bush. "This was such an unusual, unexpected find," Dr. Wargovich said. "Very few people probably have even seen this book. And, here I was, a scientist with an interest in how the inflammation process may be linked to cancer, and I find a listing of specific plants that I had not thought about studying before." I imagine that is how Marco Polo felt during his travels.