10 Amazing Cancer-Fighting Herbs and Spices For Your Diet

A lot of herbs are linked with the prevention and treatment of cancer. Along with one’s prescribed cancer medicines and other treatments and therapies, some natural herbs and spices can help treat cancer and manage the side effects of medicines and chemical treatments.

Ginger: Fresh, candied or ground ginger (ginger spice) can be used in many recipes. Although fresh and powdered ginger taste very different, either can be used. One should use either one tablespoon of fresh shredded ginger or 1/8 teaspoon of powdered ginger. When taken with anti-nausea cancer medications, ginger can bring relief to a nauseous stomach.

Rosemary: This Mediterranean herb helps in detoxification and also combats flatulence, indigestion and other problems of the digestive system. It also increases appetite. Rosemary can be used as a flavouring in bread, tomato sauces, soups, etc. People undergoing cancer treatment can also utilize the benefits of rosemary with tea. Three cups of rosemary-leaf tea a day can help with the problems listed above.

Turmeric: Cumin, a compound found in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties and acts as an antioxidant, thereby assisting in the treatment of cancer. Development and research are still on to find out if turmeric can be used to treat and prevent certain cancers such as breast, colon, skin and prostate cancers.

Chile peppers: Capsaicin, a compound found in Chile peppers, has pain-relieving properties. It releases a substance P upon application on the skin, gradually reducing pain in the area on continued use. However, a lot of caution has to be maintained while handling Chile peppers as they can result in burns on contact with the skin. It is best to consult an oncologist and get a capsaicin cream to fight pain.

Garlic: Garlic is high in sulphur and other healthy elements like arginine, selenium, flavonoids and oligosaccharides. Studies have found that consuming garlic in good amounts can reduce the risk of cancers of the breast, pancreas, colon, stomach and oesophagus. It protects against cancers by boosting DNA repair, combating bacterial infections, inhibiting the growth of cancer-causing substances, and cell death. It is also known to bring down blood pressure, boost immunity, and help detoxify.

Peppermint: Many people undergoing cancer treatment can experience an upset stomach. Drinking peppermint tea helps in such cases. One can buy it from the market or make their own by boiling fresh peppermint leaves with water. Also, for patients on cancer medication who have developed mouth sores due to chemotherapy and radiation, peppermint is a part of the treatment for cancer as it is known to soothe a sore throat.

Chamomile: Mouth sores resulting from radiation and chemotherapy can be relieved with chamomile mouthwash. It can be made into tea and used in gargling and rinsing. Chamomile tea also treats stomach cramps and digestive problems as it relaxes intestinal muscle contractions. In addition to these health benefits, chamomile can help manage sleep disorders. A cup of chamomile tea before bedtime can help cancer patients with sleep issues.

If you know anyone who’s a Cancer survivor or fighting the disease, please share this article with them. Also, post comments in case you have any health queries.