The Role of Black Seed and Honey in Relieving the Degree of Symptoms Associated of Breast Cancer

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Faculty of Applied Medical Science, Umm Al-Qura University

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of black seed and honey on the status of women with breast cancer. This study was conducted at the Department of Oncology in Al-Noor Specialist Hospital and King Abdullah Medical City, Holy Makkah. The sample consisted of fifty-four patients, aged more than 18 to 70 years, and was divided into four groups. All of these groups continued the treatment of chemotherapy and the first group (14 patients) was considered as the control group: the second group (11 patients) was given a daily intake of black seed (0.2 g/kg body weight); the third group (14 patients) was given a daily intake of honey (60 grams); while the fourth group (15 patients) was given both the black seed and honey similar to the second and third intakes for a period of 5 days a week. Also, intakes of black seed, honey, as well as black seed and honey together continued for two weeks after the end of chemotherapy.
The results showed that the degree of pain sensation during chemotherapy was decreased with the intake of either black seed or honey. After two weeks at the end of chemotherapy and dietary treatment, nausea disappeared among 51.85% of all women. During chemotherapy, the percentage of 50% of women experienced vomiting especially between the intakes of honey and the combined black seed and honey groups. Symptoms of diarrhea disappeared after treatment and also after two weeks of treatment, especially among the honey, and a combined black seed and honey groups. The symptom of appetite loss after treatment was decreased and the perception of slight loss of appetite was 88.89% among women. Half of the women had moderate symptoms of fatigue. During sessions of chemotherapy and with intake of black seed and honey and both combined there was a symptom of mild dizziness or completely disappeared in 79.63, 20.37%, respectively. Symptoms of depression disappeared during treatment and also after two weeks of treatment in the three experimental groups. There was a significant degree of anxiety during chemotherapy treatment and also after two weeks in 18.52% of the sample, especially the groups of black seed, or bee honey, or both of them.
The study concluded the importance of the use of complementary and alternative treatment by using natural foods especially black seed and honey for the prevention and protection from cancer or an alleviation of symptoms associated with various cancer treatments.

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