The invention describes a pharmaceutical composition and method for treating cancer comprised of A) 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone and/or B) at least one of wild yam root, teasel root, balm of gilead bud, bakuchi seed, dichroa root, kochia seed, kanta kari, bushy knotweed rhizome, arjun, babul chall bark, opopanax and bhumy amalaki; optionally one or more of frankincense, garcinia fruit, vitex, dragons blood, mace, sage and red sandalwood with at least c) one compound capable of maximizing oxidative mitochondrial function preferably riboflavin or vitamin B.sub.2 derivatives, FAD, FMN, 5-amino-6-(5'-phosphoribitylamino)uracil, 6,7-Dimethyl-8-(1-D-ribityl)lumazine, ribitol, 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole, tetrahydrobiopterin, vitamin B.sub.1, lipoic acid, biotin, vitamin B.sub.6, vitamin B.sub.12, folate, niacin, vitamin C and pantothenate and/or d) at least one lactic acid dehydrogenase inhibitor (preferably 2',3,4'5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) and optionally f) an alkalizing agent (aloe vera, chlorella, wheat grass, sodium or potassium bicarbonate, potassium) g) an antiproliferative herb (speranskia or goldenseal) and h) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.