Ginger capsules?

Ok, so I know someone has written about this one before - I just can't seem to find it. Anyone out there who is using ginger as part of their health regime? I'd like to know your thoughts on it.
Thanks, Becky

[rmarie]

I have been using ginger candy, there was a report that ginger killed ovarian cancer cells when they put it on the cell itself.  There are no studies about how much to take or type of preparation, if oral even works, but I feel it is worth a shot.

[gah_70]

I believe Terrin posted on this before.  I, too, started taking ginger root supplements a while ago.  I did ask my Oncologist about it, and he was all for it.  He said since chemo is derived from things found in nature (although they do replicate them synthetically for the most part now) there are probably lots of things out there we don't know about yet that can help.  He also said since I have Crohn's, the calming effects of ginger might do my stomach good.  I don't want to waste time waiting for the research to tell me whether a supplement is just as good as rubbing it directly on the cells.  

Gail

[SimplyStar]

My daughter has been drinking ginger tea throughout her chemo

[mariak]

I started taking ginger root capsules also about 3 weeks ago. I'm not sure either how much to take. So I just take 1 like the bottle says. I haven't mentioned it yet to the dr. I just figured he would think I'm nuts. Any other opinions would help.

[Terrin2]

I have been taking the ginger since May 06. After chemo finished.  My Dr also said cannot hurt, except to wait until chemo finished,  because, did not know how it would interact and it also thins the blood.  If you want more info,  google it, put in ovarian cancer and ginger.  We should all keep track of our CA125 to see if this helps......we might want to call it "Ginger Tracking"  I know my CA went down even further when I started the ginger.   After chemo it was 7.6  after ginger started down to 2.6

[wubbie3]

I know there are ginger teas out there that are good for stomach pain, etc.. So if nothing else, it should at least keep the tummy happy!

[SimplyStar]

I found this!!!!Headlines  were this  "Ginger an Ovarian Cancer Killer".    University of Michagan Comprehensive Cancer Center presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research in Washington DC.  The Michagan team dissolved ginger powder in a solution and applied it to ovarian cancer cells in a Lab. Ginger caused 2 kinds of cancer cell death.  the first is apoptosis in which the cells commit suicide. The second type of cell death is autophagy, in which the cells digest or attack themselves. Since most OVC patients develope recurrant disease that eventually becomes resistant to standard chemo, which is associated with resistance to apoptosis.  If ginger can cause autophagic cell death in addition to apoptosis, it may circumvent the resistance to conventional chemo. It is already known that ginger helps control inflammations which contribute to the development of OV cells.  By halting the inflammation, ginger may stop cancer cells from growing the researchers suggested.  My daughter will keep on drinking the ginger tea.  There are absolutly no side affects.

[Tybear]

Thanks for your replies. I read that same thing, SimplyStar, and that's what piqued my curiosity. I will have to ask my Dr about taking it throughout chemo - not sure if they will interact or not. I've learned that the CA125 is not a reliable test for me. It was 20 when I finished chemo and had NED, and at 18, I have a pelvis full of tumors. I guess the only way to really know if my chemo works will be CT scans.
Becky