Ginger
Ginger has long been used in folk medicine to
treat everything from colds to constipation. Ginger can be used fresh,
in powdered form (ginger spice), or candied. Although the flavor between
fresh and ground ginger is significantly different, they can be
substituted for one another in many recipes. In general, you can replace
1/8 teaspoon of ground ginger with 1 tablespoon of fresh grated ginger,
and vice versa.
Consuming ginger and ginger products, in addition to taking any
anti-nausea medications as prescribed, may provide some comfort for a
queasy stomach during cancer treatment.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a hearty, woody Mediterranean herb
that has needlelike leaves and is a good source of antioxidants. Because
of its origin, rosemary is commonly used in Mediterranean cooking and
you’ll often see it included as a primary ingredient in Italian
seasonings. You can use it to add flavor to soups, tomato-based sauces,
bread, and high-protein foods like poultry, beef, and lamb.
Rosemary may help with detoxification; taste changes; indigestion,
flatulence, and other digestive problems; and loss of appetite. Try
drinking up to 3 cups of rosemary leaf tea daily for help with these
problems.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an herb in the ginger family; it's
one of the ingredients that make many curries yellow and gives it its
distinctive flavor. Curcumin appears to be the active compound in
turmeric. This compound has demonstrated antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties, potentially protecting against cancer
development.
Turmeric extract supplements are currently being studied to see if
they have a role in preventing and treating some cancers, including
colon, prostate, breast, and skin cancers. Although results appear
promising, they have largely been observed in laboratory and animal
studies, so it’s unclear whether these results will ultimately translate
to humans.
Chile peppers
Chile peppers contain capsaicin, a compound
that can relieve pain. When capsaicin is applied topically to the skin,
it causes the release of a chemical called substance P. Upon continued use, the amount of substance P eventually produced in that area decreases, reducing pain in the area.
But this doesn’t mean you should go rubbing chile peppers where you
have pain. Chile peppers need to be handled very carefully, because they
can cause burns if they come in contact with the skin.
Therefore, if you have pain and want to harness the power of chile
peppers, ask your oncologist or physician about prescribing a capsaicin
cream. It has shown pretty good results with regard to treating neuropathic pain (sharp, shocking pain that follows the path of a nerve) after surgery for cancer.
Another benefit of chile peppers is that they may help with
indigestion. Seems counterintuitive, right? But some studies have shown
that ingesting small amounts of cayenne may reduce indigestion.
Garlic
Garlic belongs to the Allium class of
bulb-shaped plants, which also includes chives, leeks, onions, shallots,
and scallions. Garlic has a high sulfur content and is also a good
source of arginine, oligosaccharides, flavonoids, and selenium, all of
which may be beneficial to health. Garlic’s active compound, called allicin, gives it its characteristic odor and is produced when garlic bulbs are chopped, crushed, or otherwise damaged.
Several studies suggest that increased garlic intake reduces the risk
of cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast. It
appears that garlic may protect against cancer through numerous
mechanisms, including by inhibiting bacterial infections and the
formation of cancer-causing substances, promoting DNA repair, and
inducing cell death. Garlic supports detoxification and may also support
the immune system and help reduce blood pressure.
Chamomile
Chamomile is thought to have medicinal benefits
and has been used throughout history to treat a variety of conditions.
Chamomile may help with sleep issues; if sleep is a problem for you, try
drinking a strong chamomile tea shortly before bedtime.
Chamomile mouthwash has also been studied for preventing and treating mouth sores from chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Although the results are mixed, there is no harm in giving it a try, provided your oncologist is not opposed. If given the green light, simply make the tea, let it cool, and rinse and gargle as often as desired.
Chamomile tea may be another way to manage digestive problems, including stomach cramps. Chamomile appears to help relax muscle contractions, particularly the smooth muscles of the intestines.
Chamomile mouthwash has also been studied for preventing and treating mouth sores from chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Although the results are mixed, there is no harm in giving it a try, provided your oncologist is not opposed. If given the green light, simply make the tea, let it cool, and rinse and gargle as often as desired.
Chamomile tea may be another way to manage digestive problems, including stomach cramps. Chamomile appears to help relax muscle contractions, particularly the smooth muscles of the intestines.
