Open AccessGinger ( Z ingiber officinale ) and chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting: a systematic literature review
Author(s) -
Marx Wolfgang M,
Teleni Laisa,
McCarthy Alexandra L,
Vitetta Luis,
McKavanagh Dan,
Thomson Damien,
Isenring Elisabeth
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
nutrition reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.958
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1753-4887
pISSN - 0029-6643
DOI - 10.1111/nure.12016
Subject(s) - zingiber officinale , chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting , nausea , antiemetic , medicine , chemotherapy , context (archaeology) , vomiting , randomized controlled trial , intensive care medicine , pharmacology , traditional medicine , biology , paleontology
Chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting ( CINV ) is a common side‐effect of cytotoxic treatment. It continues to affect a significant proportion of patients despite the widespread use of antiemetic medication. In traditional medicine, ginger ( Z ingiber officinale ) has been used to prevent and treat nausea in many cultures for thousands of years. However, its use has not been confirmed in the chemotherapy context. To determine the potential use of ginger as a prophylactic or treatment for CINV , a systematic literature review was conducted. Reviewed studies comprised randomized controlled trials or crossover trials that investigated the anti‐ CINV effect of ginger as the sole independent variable in chemotherapy patients. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. All studies were assessed on methodological quality and their limitations were identified. Studies were mixed in their support of ginger as an anti‐ CINV treatment in patients receiving chemotherapy, with three demonstrating a positive effect, two in favor but with caveats, and two showing no effect on measures of CINV . Future studies are required to address the limitations identified before clinical use can be recommended.