These herbs and spices for preventing and fighting cancer symptoms have far-reaching health benefits and can be part of a daily regimen while undergoing cancer treatment. They are common, but not commonly found in general cooking, but there are exquisite and practical recipes for using them.
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7 herbs and spices to prevent and fight cancer symptoms
Ginger
Ginger has been used in folk medicine to treat almost everything from the flu to constipation. It can be used fresh, in powder form or candied. Although the taste between fresh and powdered ginger is significantly different, they can be substituted for each other in many recipes. In general, 1/8 teaspoon of powdered ginger can be replaced with 1 tablespoon of fresh grated ginger, and vice versa.
Consuming ginger and its products, in addition to taking any anti-nausea medications as prescribed, can provide some comfort for an upset stomach during cancer treatment.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a woody Mediterranean herb that has needle-shaped leaves and is a good source of antioxidants. Due to its origin, rosemary is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine and is generally included as a main ingredient in Italian seasonings. It can be used to flavor soups, tomato-based sauces, bread, and protein-rich foods such as chicken, beef, and lamb.
Rosemary may help with detoxification, changes in taste, indigestion, flatulence – and other digestive problems, and loss of appetite. To treat these cancer symptoms, drink up to 3 cups of rosemary leaf tea daily to help with these problems.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an herb in the ginger family; It is one of the ingredients that make curries of different varieties of yellow color, and it gives it its distinctive flavor. Curcumin appears to be the active compound in turmeric. This compound has shown antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which could protect against the development of cancer.
Turmeric extract supplements are being studied to see if they have a role in the prevention and treatment of some types of cancer, including colon, prostate, breast and skin cancer. Although the results that have largely been observed in laboratory studies in animals appear promising, it is unclear whether these results ultimately translate to humans.
Chili peppers to treat cancer symptoms
Chili 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. After continuous use, the amount of substance P eventually produces a decrease in pain in that area.
But this does not mean that you should always rub chili where you have pain. Chili peppers must be handled with great care, because they can cause burns if they come into contact with the skin.
So, if you’re in pain and want to harness the power of chili peppers, ask your oncologist or doctor for a prescription for a cream that contains capsaicin. Very good results have been shown in the treatment of neuropathic pain (sharp, shocking pain that follows the path of a nerve) after cancer surgery.
Another benefit of chili pepper is that they can help with indigestion. It seems contrary to what is known, right? However, some studies have shown that ingesting small amounts of cayenne can reduce indigestion.
Fight cancer symptoms with garlic
Garlic belongs to the Allium class of bulb-shaped plants, which also includes chives, leeks, onions, shallots, and chives. Garlic is high in sulfur and is also a good source of arginine, oligosaccharides, flavonoids, and selenium, all of which can be beneficial to your health. The active compound in garlic is called allicin, it gives it its characteristic smell, and it is produced when garlic heads are minced, crushed, or damaged in any way.
Several studies suggest that increasing your intake of garlic reduces the risk of stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas and breast cancers. 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 can also support the immune system and help lower blood pressure.
Mint
Peppermint is a natural hybrid cross between peppermint and spearmint. It has been used for thousands of years as a digestive aid to relieve gas, indigestion, cramps, and diarrhea. It can also help with the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and food poisoning. Peppermint calms the stomach muscles and improves bile flow, allowing food to pass through the stomach more quickly.
If your cancer symptoms are causing you an upset stomach, try having a cup of peppermint tea. Many commercial varieties are on the market, or you can make your own homemade mint tea from dried leaves or fresh mint leaves in boiling water and let them steep for a few minutes until the tea reaches the desired strength.
Peppermint can also relieve a sore throat. For this reason, it is also sometimes used to relieve painful sores in the mouth that can occur due to chemotherapy and radiation, or is a key ingredient in treatments for this condition.
Chamomile
Chamomile is believed to have medicinal properties and has been used throughout history to treat a variety of conditions, including symptoms of cancer. Chamomile can help with sleep problems; If sleep is a problem for you, try sipping strong chamomile tea shortly before bedtime.
Chamomile mouthwash has also been studied to prevent and combat mouth ulcers due to chemotherapy and radiation. Although the results are mixed, there is no harm in giving it a try, as long as your oncologist doesn’t object. If you get the green light, just make the tea, cool, rinse, and gargle as often as desired.
Chamomile tea can be another way to manage digestive problems, including stomach cramps. Chamomile helps relax muscle contractions, especially the smooth muscles of the intestines.