Ginger & nausea

Nausea is a common side-effect in patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Despite the use of powerful anti-nausea medication such as ondansetron (Zofran, GlaxoSmithKline) and granisetron (Kytril,Roche), many patients still experience significant nauseous feelings. This can affect food intake and adds to the unpleasantness of undergoing chemotherapy.

Researchers from the University of Rochester are going to present the results of a study on the use of ginger in patients undergoing chemotherapy, at the upcoming 2009 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO). Six hundred and forty four, primarily female (90%), patients (from the University of Rochester-affiliated Community Clinical Oncology Programme) were randomly assigned to receive a placebo or 0.5 gm, 1.0 gm or 1.5 gm of ginger in capsule form. All patients undergoing chemotherapy received 5-HT₃ receptor antagonist antiemetics – ondansetron (Zofran, GlaxoSmithKline) or granisetron (Kytril, Roche) – starting on day 1 of all chemotherapy cycles and began supplementation with either ginger or placebo 3 days before the first day of a chemotherapy cycle. The ginger was given in 2 doses daily for 6 days. The degree of nausea was rated on a 7-point scale during the first 4 days of each chemotherapy cycle. The study found that all doses of ginger significantly reduced nausea more than the placebo. Patients taking ginger capsules rated their nausea as 1, which was none at all, or 2, which was slight nausea. Patients who were taking placebo rated their nausea as 4, which was extremely nauseated. The greatest anti-nausea effect was with the 0.5 gm and 1.0 gm doses, which is equivalent to ¼ and ½ a teaspoon of ground ginger, respectively.

Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), has been used as a spice and condiment in many societies since time immemorial. It has also been use as a medicine for treating common colds, fever, rheumatic disorders, gastrointestinal complications, motion sickness, diabetes and cancer. If we can prevent nausea with the help of ginger, it would indeed be a relief for many patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. Furthermore, the cost of ginger capsules would be negligible compared to the cost of the chemotherapeutic agents.

Perhaps, one day, the serving of ginger cakes and biscuits to patients in a chemotherapy centre will be a common sight!