The Data Is In: Anti-tumor Activity Of Two Essential Oils
Research continues in a search for a cancer cure at a feverish pace
. One of the great challenges faced by these research teams is the incredible costs associated with new technologies -- this feature of modern medicine is in fact leading to more investigations of the potential of 'traditional' and 'alternative' therapies. One alternative system that is gaining a lot of attention in the last few years is what has been known as 'aromatherapy' -- though the therapeutic use of essential oils has really gotten a bad name. In the West, people generally think 'Glad Plug-In Air Freshener', rather than the use of the complex volatile chemical compounds produced by plants as medicines. This perspective of essential oils being 'soft science' and a bit 'new-agey' is likely to diminish in the new light of their therapeutic potential.
Popular Oils Evaluated as Potential Cancer Therapies
The essential oils distilled from Frankincense resin and from the leaves of Lemongrass have been the subject of more scientific inquiry regarding their efficacy as cancer treatments than any other oils. Why this is so is somewhat uncertain, though both these plants have a long history of use as medicines. The term Frankincense refers specifically to the resin or sap of one of several species of Olibanum tree, native to east Africa and India. The resin even has biblical significance, being one of the gifts of the Magi to the newly-born Jesus -- it was at that time a very costly medicine, incense and perfume. Lemongrass has been used in more tropical environs for its anti-infectious properties, with detoxifying effects several bodily systems. It is said to aid in digestion, circulation, and in clearing the skin.
Research Reveals Frankincense's Important Anticancer Activity
Frankincense essential oil has been noted by leading medical aromatherapists to be most effective immune system modulating aromatic. A review of the research on Frankincense oil is quite amazing, and lives up to this declaration. Using the search term 'frankincense oil cancer' on the National Institute of Health's database produces 34 results (as of this writing). Frankincense oil appears to have the ability to distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells in an organ or tissue, and lead to the death of the cancerous cells while leaving the healthy ones unharmed.
Research is focusing on the chemical components of the essential oil unique to frankincense: the Boswellic acids. These natural compounds have been thoroughly studied for their anti-inflammatory activity, with a significant body of positive results. Boswellic acids can be used to reduce pain and inflammation in arthritic joints, and has even been shown to improve the texture and appearance of skin that may be prematurely aged due to sun overexposure. It is these same Boswellic acids that have been shown to induce natural cell death in cancerous cells -- it is one of the features of cancer that natural cell death does not occur, and the cancerous cells then in essence grow unabated throughout the body.
The Unique Ability to specifically Target Cancerous Cells
One of the challenges in treating cancer is targeting cancerous cells specifically with any medication or treatment, while leaving normal cells healthy and intact. More than one investigation using Frankincense has reached the same conclusion: that Frankincense oil "appears to distinguish" cancerous from non-cancerous cells, and suppresses the proliferation of the cancerous cells only. And not only does Frankincense have this important action, but it has been shown to reduce viability for cancers in quite a variety of organ system and tissues. It appears it could be a treatment for a wide number of cases and conditions.
Lemongrass Herb and Oil: Modern Research Uncovers Potential Anticancer Activity
In the last two years, Indian researchers published two papers summarizing their investigation into the anticancer actions of Lemongrass. The essential oil was found effective in causing cell death of twelve cancer cell lines typically used in such research. Lemongrass essential oil was noted to show "dose dependent effects against various human cancer cell lines". The greatest efficacy of the oil was against colon cancer cells, with a very low concentration of 4.2 micrograms per milliliter of solution. The essential oil was also found effective in what is known as mouse-model studies, where mice implanted with specific tumor cells are treated with the oil. (Note that while the author does not condone animal studies in any way, the information produced by these studies may in-fact lead to the savings of many lives).
Future Perspectives on Essential Oils and Cancer
The research abstracts referred to in this paper are freely available through online databases. There are a great many of these abstracts that present alternative cancer therapies, including essential oils, in a very favorable light. Considering that cancer survival rates have not changed dramatically over the last several decades despite the advances in conventional medical technology, it seems time these alternative modalities should get a closer look from the medical establishment. If you are so inclined, take every opportunity to forward these types of treatments. Keep the pressure on, and change will eventually come. Please note that the information provided here is not meant as a substitute for sound medical advice, it is simply to present the latest research data available.
by: Tracy Waters
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