Information On Ginger For Chemo Patients

Chemotherapy saves lives but can cause nausea that severely impacts a cancer patient's quality of life. More than 90 percent of cancer patients who receive chemotherapy seek alternative and complementary therapies, according to Duke Cancer Institute. Ginger, an herb that people have used for centuries, is one of those complements to traditional medicine. Consult with your doctor to check for possible interactions before taking any supplements.

Purpose

Ginger may help alleviate nausea for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Studies have produced conflicting results, but two separate studies conducted by the American Society of Clinical Oncologists found that patients taking ginger could alleviate their nausea. About 70 percent of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy experience unsettled stomachs and vomiting. Doctors who participated in the ASCO study said that patients should supplement their pharmaceutical anti-nausea medicine with ginger and not replace it. Patients should always consult with their doctors before taking any supplement.

Consumption Tips

Ginger can be taken in pill form, drunk as tea or used as a spice during cooking. If you choose ginger pills, take one 250 mg pill two to four times each day for maximum effectiveness, recommends the Arizona Cancer Center. Don't rely on ginger ale since the beverage doesn't contain enough ginger to combat nausea. Some cookies and candies also contain ginger, but fresh ginger may provide better relief for chemotherapy patients who experience nausea.

Preparation

Scrape the skin off ginger with a spoon by turning the concave side in toward the ginger and rubbing the metal against the root. Prepare tea by slicing the ginger into thin strips and steeping them in hot water for about five minutes. Before drinking the tea, scoop the ginger slices out with a spoon. To cook with ginger, slip slices into a vegetable stir-fry or whatever other dish you're making. Ginger comes in powdered form, but fresh ginger may contain more medicinal power.

How It Works

Scientists are still working to understand how ginger helps cancer patients deal with chemotherapy-induced nausea, but they have several theories. Ginger's main active component is an antioxidant called gingerol, which fights free radicals that can cause cellular damage and nausea. Ginger also interferes with serotonin receptors in the stomach. Serotonin is commonly known as a neurotransmitter that the brain uses to regulate mood. However, the intestines produce 95 percent of the body's serotonin. Ginger helps block the stomach's serotonin from latching onto the receptors, which works to stop nausea, according to Suzanna Zick, a researcher at the University of Michigan Health System.