List of ovarian cancer herbal remedies that are safe to use

Ovarian cancer (ovary) stages 1, 2, and 3 can be cured by surgical removal of cancer cells, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Not only that, scientists are also researching the potential of natural ingredients in treating cancer, including ovarian cancer. So, what herbal medicines have shown potential as ovarian cancer drugs?

Herbal medicine that has the potential to treat ovarian cancer

Cancer is included in the list of diseases that can cause death if not treated. Including ovarian cancer, which attacks the sex hormone-producing glands and eggs in women. Generally, this disease is treated with surgery and combined with other ovarian cancer treatments in the form of therapy.

In addition to following doctor's treatment, there are several extracts, spices, and supplements that according to studies have the potential to fight ovarian cancer, including:

1. Green tea and black tea

Tea is included in herbal remedies for ovarian cancer. Not all, only a few types of teas have been studied for their potential in ovarian cancer, such as black tea (black tea) and green tea (green tea).

Previously, tea was known as a type of food to help prevent ovarian cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, green tea and black tea have strong antioxidant activities due to the content of polyphenols, theaflavins, and thearubigins.

These active compounds can reduce free radicals thereby protecting cells from damage, inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, and inducing cell apoptosis. Proliferation is the ability of cells to multiply, while apoptosis is programmed cell death.

In animal-based studies, the catechins in tea have been shown to inhibit the spread of tumor cells. In addition, detoxifying enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase help boost the immune system to fight tumors.

The potential of green tea as a traditional medicine for epithelial tumor-type ovarian cancer is also summarized in a study published in Gynecologic Oncology. This animal-based study concluded that green tea has been shown to downregulate a protein involved in inflammation and increase the potency of the drug cisplatin in chemotherapy.

Even so, researchers are still making further observations to see the effectiveness of tea as an herbal remedy for ovarian cancer in humans.

2. Ginger

Ginger is quite popular as a traditional medicine. In fact, it is said that it can be used as traditional medicine for ovarian cancer.

A study published in Advanced pharmaceutical bulletin, observed the effect of ginger extract on SKOV-3. SKOV-3 is an ovarian cancer cell line present in Caucasian women with ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma.

SKOV-3 cells were incubated with ginger extract for 72 hours and cell toxicity tests were carried out. The result, there is a cytotoxicity effect of ginger extract on SKOV-3 cells via the p53 pathway which can make these cells die. Even so, researchers still need more in-depth observations regarding the potential of ginger as an herbal remedy for ovarian cancer in humans.

3. Supplement vitamin D and calcium

Vitamin D deficiency is a factor in the increased risk of ovarian cancer. Therefore, scientists looked at the effects of vitamin D in ovarian cancer patients. One of them, a study published in the Journal of Ovarian Research.

The results showed that 1,25 (OH) 2D3 or calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D distributed in the liver and kidneys, could increase the efficacy of antitumor properties in chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatin, carboplatin, docetaxel or paclitaxel.

The main source of vitamin D comes from sunlight and a small portion is in foods, such as fortified milk. It can also be met through vitamin D supplements. Controlled trials have shown that giving vitamin D and calcium to women after menopause can reduce the incidence of cancer compared to vitamin D alone.

Researchers are currently exploring more about the potential for vitamin D supplements to possibly increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

Tips before using herbal ovarian cancer drugs

Despite their potential for ovarian cancer, you should not use the above herbal remedies without a doctor's supervision. Moreover, it is consumed in excess on the pretext of getting more benefits.

You need to know that the use of traditional medicine in conjunction with a doctor's treatment may make treatment ineffective. In fact, it causes other side effects that are detrimental and harmful to the body.

The reason is, the content of herbal medicines can interact with drugs prescribed by doctors. So, before using these drugs, first consult with the oncologist who handles your condition.