Ginger Eases Nausea for Cancer Patients

As if it weren't tough enough to face cancer, many patients who receive chemotherapy experience severe nausea and vomiting afterward, particularly on the first day of a treatment cycle. And even when anti-vomiting drugs are used, nausea often continues.

Good news from a recent study: For three days before and after their chemotherapy cycles, cancer patients took conventional anti-vomiting medication plus either a placebo or capsulated ginger root (purified, dried ginger extract). The daily ginger dosage was 05 grams (g), 1 g or 15 g-equal to about one-quarter teaspoon to three-quarters teaspoon of ground ginger.

Results: At all doses, ginger users reported significantly less nausea than placebo users...patients who took 0.5 g or 1 g of ginger had the biggest benefit, experiencing about 40% less nausea on the first day of chemo than placebo users.

Best: If you are scheduled for chemotherapy, ask your doctor about adding ginger supplementation to your treatment regimen before and after chemo to reduce nausea.