Sometimes used as a standalone treatment or with another treatment, chemotherapy is one of the most commonly recommended treatment procedures for cancer patients. Although the therapy is done to eliminate cancer cells and stop them from growing in number, it can also affect the healthy cells. This leads to several unwanted symptoms. These symptoms are often known as the side-effects of chemotherapy. The severity, however, can vary from individual to individual.

Some of the common side effects of chemotherapy can include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Hair fall
• Abdomen pain
• Constipation
• Change in appetite
• Sores in the mouth
• Nerve problems

Thankfully, many home remedies have received the backing of several studies that have now been gaining more acceptance. Similarly, there are several remedies that have the potential to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. Although research is limited, there are some studies that prove these are beneficial to help prevent and treat the side effects of chemotherapy.

1. Ginger
Nausea is a common side-effect of chemotherapy and is often recommended to cancer patients to ease their symptoms. In 2013, a research review was published in Nutrition Reviews. This review explained that the previously published studies on the effectiveness of ginger to treat the side effects of chemotherapy were evaluated. The result of this evaluation was mixed due to several problems such as the dosage of ginger. As a result, researchers suggested further studies to identify the limitations before recommending ginger for clinical use.

2. Honey
In 2018, a research paper was published in Integrative Cancer Therapies. In this research, the previously published studies on treatment options for mucositis induced by chemotherapy were evaluated. During the evaluation, the positive effects of honey to reduce weight loss and delay the occurrence of oral mucositis were found. The study also discovered the benefits of using glutamine, zinc, and vitamin E as a treatment for oral mucositis. However, honey can lead to cavities. Therefore, rinsing the mouth with fluoride is always recommended after every application. Also, oral hygiene is important. However, some types of honey, such as manuka honey, are not recommended by the doctors since they lead to vomiting and nausea.

3. Topical vitamin E
This natural antioxidant is effective in reducing the severity of mucositis, a side effect of chemotherapy, regular chemoradiotherapy, radiotherapy, and haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. This was backed by a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research in 2017. In this study, the researchers evaluated the effects of topical vitamin E when used for the prevention or treatment of oral mucositis. The researchers were able to find a substantial reduction in the three cancer treatments.