Zee Media Bureau/Udita Madan
New Delhi: Nature always has a way of giving and going natural is the best way to ward off or avoid any kind of disease – even cancer.
Of course, there are some diseases that can't be cured without the help of medications, however, they can certainly be avoided through ingredients that we consume on an almost daily basis, in this case, various everyday herbs and spices.
Yes, there are many handy culinary herbs and spices in your kitchen that can help you avoid and prevent the dreadful risk of cancer.
You'll be surprised that you weren't aware of them and their beneficial properties when they were available in your kitchen all along!
Below, we have combined a list of five such herbs and spices that can be found in your kitchen and aid you in the prevention of cancer.
1. Ginger:
Ginger is one spice that has been used since time immemorial to cure various common illnesses, like cold, cough, constipation, common flu, etc. It can be used fresh, in powdered form, as a paste, or simply as an infusion in teas or a brew for consumption. Consuming ginger and ginger products, in addition to taking any anti-nausea medications as prescribed, may provide some comfort for a queasy stomach during cancer treatment.
2. Rosemary:
The woody Mediterranean herb is a good source of antioxidants. It is included mainly in Italian seasonings and is mostly used as an ingredient in Mediterranean recipes. Rosemary may help with detoxification; change of taste; indigestion, flatulence and a host of other digestive problems, as well as loss of appetite. Try drinking up to 2-3 cups of rosemary leaf infusin or tea daily for help with these problems.
3. Turmeric:
Turmeric or Haldi as it is commonly known in Indian households, is another spice that has been used as a health remedy since medieval times. Joint pains, sprains, cuts, burns and a host of other illnesses have been and continue to be cured by this magical spice. Curcumin, an active compound in turmeric, has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially protecting against cancer development. Turmeric extract supplements are still being studied to figure out their role in preventing and treating some cancers, including colon, prostate, breast, and skin cancers.
4. Chili peppers:
Chili peppers are a rich source of a compound called capsaicin, which is known to relieve pain. Therefore, if you are suffering from pain and want to harness the power of chili peppers, ask your oncologist or physician about prescribing a capsaicin cream. It has shown pretty good results with regard to treating neuropathic pain (sharp, shocking pain that follows the path of a nerve) after surgery for cancer.
5. Garlic:
Garlic is a known herb for treating cancer. It has a high sulfur content and is also a good source of arginine, oligosaccharides, flavonoids, and selenium, all of which may be beneficial to health. Several studies have suggested that increased garlic consumption reduces the risk of cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast. It seems 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.
