Ginger and Cancer

Mahes Visvalingam
Post-retirement postings

Please note that this site is under construction.

Some Experiences with Natural Medicine
and related observations

Anti-cancer properties of whole ginger
Disclaimer

Ginger features prominently in Asian cuisine and medicine – it is also used in Western herbals, especially in cough/flu medicines and in digestives. Ginger is especially used with meat and fish to aid digestion and counteract toxicity and unpleasant odours. I started to compile a page on ginger when it proved to be the most effective natural medicine for my severe bout of gastritis in 2011. http://rani.svabhinava.org/Medical/NHS/Experiences/gatritis/gastritis.html. A tea made from a decoction of ginger root and other spices, eased acute stomach pain by displacing trapped air and reducing inflammation of the mucosa of the stomach, oesophagus and throat. Unlike conventional medicine, once I was over the acute stage, I did not need to take the decoction daily although it makes a very nice warming drink which promotes circulation. No wonder it is used in mulled wines.

Ginger and Cancer
Even when I was a child, ginger was the home remedy for nausea and motion sickness. Research has confirmed that it is also effective in counteracting the nausea of chemotherapy. Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, is also known to be anti-cancerous. While researching the therapeutic properties of ginger, I came across some research on the anti-cancer properties of ginger.

Ginger belongs to the same family as turmeric and galangal, which are also believed to have anti-cancer properties. See: http://www.livestrong.com/article/454309-tumeric-ginger-and-cancer/

In a 2003 study at the University of Minnesota, rats with colorectal tumours who were injected with ginger had significantly less tumour growth and spreading than control rats. At the University of Michigan, researchers applied ginger to ovarian cancer cell cultures, causing the cancer cells to die. Research is ongoing as mechanisms and specific compounds within ginger are studied to determine the most effective use of this natural remedy. Extract from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/248462-what-are-the-benefits-of-ginger-root-juice/#ixzz2BruJGlvq
Indian and Malaysian researchers found that ginger caused cell death in colorectal cancer in 2007 and 2008. In October 2011, this was confirmed by researchers at the University of Michigan.
http://www.uofmhealth.org/news/ginger-cancer-1011
In early 2012, researchers at Georgia State University found that whole ginger extract had significant effects in stopping the growth of prostate cancer cells, as well as inducing cell death. In animal studies, ginger extract was not toxic to normal tissues, such as bone marrow. They claim that a human would have to consume only about 3.5 ounces of whole ginger extract in a daily diet to get the beneficial effects. http://www.gsu.edu/news/53580.html Publication at : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21849094

Researchers think that this may be related to its anti-inflammatory property, which also explains its use for arthritis in folk medicine. But, ginger also counteracts acidity. Human blood and normal tissue are slightly alkaline while cancer cells are acidic. Some researchers believe that cancer is active when tissues becomes acidic due to diet, stress and other factors and are promoting other food cures.

Prostate cancer is not as common in Asian men eating a traditional diet. Despite being nuked, Japanese men are less likely to get prostate cancer. So, many studies have focused on the role of diet – from exclusion of dairy products to the role of soya. It looks as if the widespread consumption of ginger and related herbs may be another factor. However, Asians do not consume anywhere near 3.5 ounces of root ginger, never mind ginger extract, per day – although they do tend to binge on crystallised ginger and ginger tea, especially after flu.

Unless you suffer from some other illness, like high blood pressure or diabetes, you can enjoy ginger knowing that it is very good for your health. Ginger is an anti-inflammatory pain-killer - I put up with the pain of frozen shoulder for a year without pain-killing medication or injections. It is also believed to remove toxins from the body. Best of all, it is anti-cholesterol and it can help you slim.

A Cautionary Note
Although Asians eat ginger every day, they know that ginger should not be taken in medicinal amounts by those suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers and so on. So, please check my web page and other sources before dosing yourself on ginger.

Remember, herbs can interact with medication and you must consult your GP and/or consultant before you take them in medicinal doses. For example, ginger raises blood pressure, which has been wonderful for me since I used to get postural hypotension (dizziness due to low blood pressure) – but not advised if your BP is already high. Ginger stimulates the liver (one way in which it detoxes the body) but if you have gall bladder problems, it could cause problems. Also, ginger lowers blood sugar levels and thins the blood – it can interact adversely with medication. I have included a link to the University of Maryland page on my web page which notes drug interactions.

A Sri Lanka doctor pointed out that the cyanide compounds in tapioca (which cured her bladder cancer) can interact with ginger to create toxins, which can damage your liver and kidneys. So, ginger and tapioca should not be eaten within 8 hours of each other. See: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2011/07/24/fea12.asp unfortunately, tapioca is now used as a thickening in a lot of convenience food since it is cheap. So, please check the ingredients carefully. Ginger can interact with other plant-based approaches to curing cancer. Not enough is known about its interactions with bitter apricot kernel and other herbal concoctions.

Both ginger and turmeric are thought to be anti-cancerous but they must be used with care; turmeric is particularly potent. Eating too much turmeric can make the urine, skin, hair and nails turn yellow – a proof that it acts on the whole system. Ginger has the same effect but to a lesser extent so unless your liver function is impaired, the colour change does not mean you have jaundice. Finally, you can have too much of a good thing and too much ginger can cause gastritis!

Recipes

There are numerous recipes which use ginger on the internet. I have provided a recipe for taking ginger in medicinal doses in tea form. You can then drink as little or as much ginger tea as guided by your own body reactions.

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