Home Remedies for Ovarian Cancer

Some of the most important home remedies for ovarian cancer include soy, ginkgo, ginger, flaxseed, shiitakemushrooms, red clover, green tea, red onions, fish, peppermint, sunshine, exercise, acupuncture, and hydration.

Ovarian Cancer

As the name implies, ovarian cancer is cancer of the ovaries, and as such, only affects women. As the seventh-most common form of cancer for women, this is treated very seriously, particularly because it attacks such a vital part of the body, making surgery more complicated and dangerous. Ovarian cancer commonly develops in women who have been ovulating for a long time, so it typically targets older women, those who have never been pregnant, and those who experienced menopause very late in life. Ovarian carcinoma is the most common form of this cancer, but there are many other risk factors and potential causes, including hormone therapy and genetics. Given the location of the ovary and its proximity to other vital organ systems, ovarian cancer is known to be a cancer that often spreads to other parts of the body, including the abdomen, bowel, lungs, and liver. 

Like most types of cancer, there is a wide variety of potential treatment options for ovarian cancer, includingimmunotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiation therapy, and surgery, all of which should be considered based on the severity and specificity of each case. However, there can be debilitating side effects to some treatments, as well as inherent risk (e.g., surgery), so many people have turned to more natural forms of treatment for ovarian cancer, and many other varieties. That being said, cancer must be detected early and should then be aggressively treated, so these home remedies should be considered ideal complements to a more formal treatment plan that you arrange with an oncologist. Now, let’s take a closer look at some the home remedies for ovarian cancer.

Home Remedies for Ovarian Cancer

Shiitake Mushrooms: There are thousands of different mushrooms in the world, many of which have been praised for curing various ailments, but shiitake mushrooms are certainly one of the most famous varieties. The active ingredient in shiitake mushrooms, a beta-glucan called lentinan, has been linked to inhibiting certain types of cancer growth, and shiitake mushroom extracts have been used in Japan and other alternative medical traditions for centuries. While research is still ongoing in the complete effect of shiitake mushrooms against ovarian cancer, it certainly won’t hurt to add this to your diet!

Soy Products: Switching over to soy milk and products may seem “fashionable”, but there is a definite health element to the choice as well! Consuming soy products if you are suffering from ovarian cancer (and other cancers) can reduce the adverse symptoms and effects of the disease. Isoflavones found in soy products inhibit the transmission of cancerous cells, slowing the spread of cancer and tumor growth. Furthermore, the isoflavones found in soy products can help repair and protect the body from the often brutal side effects of chemotherapy and other formal cancer treatments.

Peppermint Tea: Again, this is not a “cure” for the cancer, but it certainly helps to mediate the symptoms and inspire your body to fight a bit harder. Peppermint tea is ideal for soothing an upset stomach, which is one of the most common ailments of someone suffering from ovarian cancer. Peppermint is also a rich source of other organic compounds and antioxidants, which can boost the immune system and help promote a faster recovery.

Hydration: As with many cancers that affect the bowels, intestines, prostate, and other organ systems, one of the major side effects of ovarian cancer include periods of diarrhea and constipation. Both of these states are unpleasant and potentially dangerous; drinking enough water ensures that you are not dehydrated, and also helps to smooth digestion and prevent constipation.

Red Onions: These might seem like the most innocuous and common vegetables, but onions are actually packed with anti-cancer compounds, including quercetin, apigenin, and various anthocyanins. While all onions are quite beneficial, red onions are definitely more potent, and by contributing a solid dose of antioxidants to the fight, you just may see a slow down in the spread of ovarian cancer to other parts of the body.

Ginkgo Biloba: While most home remedies relate to treatment and recovery, particularly when it comes to cancer, ginkgo is a unique strategy to protect against ovarian cancer. One of the most important effects of ginkgo is the relationship it has to DNA repair, genes, and tumor suppression. By ensuring that ovarian epithelial cells do not experience the common mutations that lead to ovarian cancer, ginkgo can help protect against ever developing ovarian cancer in the first place, in addition to its many other metabolic and therapeutic properties.

Sunshine: One of the most overlooked (and simplest) home remedies for ovarian cancer includes going outside and grabbing a bit of sunshine. Studies have shown that vitamin D is a powerful cancer fighter, and is significantly linked to ovarian cancer prevalence. In fact, women are more likely to develop ovarian cancer at northern latitudes, which receive less sunlight and are colder, which encourages more time spent inside. In other words, let the sun shine in from time to time; it can’t hurt!

Ginger: Once again, ginger has a role to play in the prevention and treatment of another serious disease. The active compounds found in ginger, including gingerol, zingerone, and shogaol have been linked to anti-cancer activity and the suppression of cancer mutation to treatment. Cancer is highly adaptable, but ginger has long been praised as a complementary treatment to boost cancer resistance.

Fish: Eating oily fish is one of the best way to consume omega-3 fatty acids, those beneficial fats that the body needs to protect the heart. Fortunately, these omega-3s also protect against cancer due to their anti-angiogenic properties. This means that omega-3s can starve cancerous cells and cut off their blood supply, preventing them from dividing and metastasizing.

Green Tea: The high concentration of antioxidants in green tea, namely a broad variety of catechins and epicatechins, make it one of the best beverages to prevent and treat cancer. Catechins are known to induce apoptosis (automatic cell death) of cancerous cells, preventing them from dividing and spreading throughout the body. If you are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer (environmental, menstrual, genetic etc.), then add green tea to your daily diet and protect yourself!

A Final Word of Warning: As mentioned at the top of this article, any type of cancer should be taken with the utmost seriousness, and a formal consultation with an oncologist or medical professional is recommended. Many of these suggestions are preventative strategies, complementary treatments, and ways to help recover from the side effects of formal treatment, but should not fully replace formal, pharmaceutical cancer treatments.