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Essential Oils and Cancer: A Review of Published Scientific Studies
| The Acceptance of Alternative TherapiesnnThe practice of 'aroma medicine', rather than the somewhat more vague 'aromatherapy', is making very strong gains in the United States. The primary reasons are twofold: Many individuals have become completely disenchanted with our current conventional medical system. We're paying HUGE amounts of money for very questionable therapies -- with many medicines having threatening health warnings (are these making us sicker while making us 'better'?) accompanying their high price tags. At the same time, people are realizing the value of 'traditional' medicines may be far greater than they've been lead to believe. That the healing power available in properly prescribed and employed natural medicines have the potential to not only alleviate the symptoms of an illness, but move the body to an equilibrium of long term health.nnScience Backs AromatherapynnThere is a growing body of evidence regarding the efficacy of essential oils -- simply the volatile chemical compounds distilled from plants -- in all sorts of medicinal applications. Their antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects have been repeatedly validated, and has now their anti-tumorial and anti-cancer actions. A search in the U.S. Library of Medicine's database reveals pages and pages of scientific abstracts regarding cancer, tumors and essential oils. Nearly all of these strongly suggest the particular oil studied warrants further investigation as a potential medicine. Here's a review of some of very applicable research results:nnThe Exceptional Power of FrankincensennFrankincense has had a place in medicine for as long as medical practices have been documented. The resin from these stout trees of Africa and the Middle East is highly revered for its curative and preventative action (with many spiritual uses as well). In 2009, the journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine published a studied that outright said Frankincense essential oil kills cancer cells while sparing normal, healthy cells. The oil distilled from the tree's resin acted specifically on bladder cancer cells, with the study concluding that Frankincense might represent and alternative agent for treatment. Odd that the mainstream media has not made much of this finding -- it took a subscription to these abstracts for many interested parties to be notified -- otherwise it easily could have gone unnoticed! Frankincense essential oil is well known to be non-toxic, with many people able to put the oil directly on their skin, and even ingest the oil in small quantities without any negative response. Though it can induce cell death with incredible specificity, a feature that absolutely suggests further investigation should be performed -- hopefully the medical establishment will agree.nnEssential Oil lf Lemongrass and Natural Cell DeathnnLemongrass, after Frankincense, may next most commonly researched essential oil for anti-cancer activity. In the May 2009 journal of Chemico-Biological Interactions, researchers tested Lemongrass essential oil against 12 human cancer cell lines. Colon cancer and neuron cancer cell lines were found most susceptible to the essential oil. The study concluded: "Our results indicate that the oil has a promising anticancer activity and causes loss in tumor cell viability by activating the apoptotic process as identified by electron microscopy." This indicates that Lemongrass may induce natural cell death of cancer cells (apoptotic process), a process that is inherently dysfunctional in cancer cells.nnComplete Eradication of Liver CancernnLinalool is a very common essential oil constituent. Essential oils are naturally made up of many individual chemical constituents, and linalool is a sweet, relaxing aromatic found in many floral and sweeter spice essential oils. Linalool itself, separated from the essential oil of Coriander (Cilantro seeds) was the subject of research published in the June 2009 issue of the journal of Chemico-Biological interactions. Linalool was found to completely eradicate the HepG2 liver cancer cell line in VERY low concentrations. Linalool has a great many other effects, having been shown to lower anxiety and even significantly improve sleep. And now it even has anti-cancer effects! So even if one is notle directly targeting cancer, but using aromatherapy in a more 'casual' application, there may be important protective effects occurring at the same time.nnSkin Cancer ProtectionnnWhile the studies above show essential oils potential efficacy at treating cancers of internal organs, a number of studies show oils can both eradicate skin cancers and act as protectants from cancer-causing agents. Sandalwood has a very long history in Ayurvedic medicine, the paste from the wood being used in a great many treatments. The oil distilled from the heartwood of the Sandal tree has been the subject of many studies demonstrating its protective action -- the oil has a significant effect in the prevention of tumors when skin is exposed to tumor-inducing chemicals and even UV radiation. Tea Tree oil, a well known antiseptic, exhibited anticancer action by impairing the growth of human m14 melanoma cells -- and even showed great effect on those melanoma cells which are resistant to other treatments. Many essential oils have significant antioxidant activity, and may be excellent additions to pre-sun skin lotions to lessen radiation absorption and oxidative radical formation.nnDNA Protective EffectsnnThe common spice oils of Thyme and Oregano have large concentrations of constituents that have been shown to protect human DNA from damage. Alteration through chemical and radiation exposure of our DNA is thought to be one of the primary causes of tumor development. Considered to be common essential oil constituents, exposure to both Carvacrol and Thymol lead to cells being significantly more resistant to DNA damage from exposure to hydrogen peroxide (a potent oxidative chemical). A similar study investigated this effect specifically on human lymphocytes (white blood cells) with the same results. The oil from the spice Turmeric has been the subject of many studies, not only examining its anti-tumor action, but elucidating the specific chemical pathways though which this action occurs. Many other 'spice' oils have been the subject of similar studies, indicating that these spices that have for so long played a part in the cuisines and cultures of the world also have played a role in the health of mankind. The essential oils of these spices offer highly-concentrated, easily absorbed preparations of these plants, with significant therapeutic potential.nnMoving Forward with Effective Natural TherapiesnnThis is but a cursory look into the current body of essential oil research pertaining to cancer treatments. Many not-so-commonly used essential oils display therapeutic effects as well, and there are likely many more plants whose oils are just waiting to be discovered. While it is important to recognize these therapies have yet to be completely defined for sound, effective treatments, there is hope their efficacy will be embraced by the world's conventional medical systems. Certainly as the costs of technology-based treatments skyrockets, essential oils will continue to look more attractive -- particularly to the 'end users', or the 'customers' of the medical establishment. Please be aware that essential oils can be contra-indicated with many modern cancer treatments (chemotherapy specifically), so be sure a physician is consulted before any oils are used by someone undergoing treatment. Otherwise, essential oils are quite safe when simply therapeutic guidelines are followed, and their wonderful protective effects are already available to all of us. |
About the Author
The author is a frequent user of Blue Tansy essential oil and other natural botanicals for healing.
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