The search for a cure for Cancer has been in full-swing for many years. Scientists around the globe are investigating every possible substance and protocol that they can dream up to offer mankind relief from this often terminal illness. Included in this research are many plants and plant extracts that have played significant roles in traditional medicine systems throughout history. In the last few years, interest and research into the potential of essential oils as anticancer agents has grown tremendously. (For those new to essential oils, they are simply the volatile aromatic constituents of plants -- for example, the chemicals that make up the scent of a Rose or the pungency of fresh Basil. They are complex compounds, very compatible with human physiology, with a host of research-supported health benefits.)
Research of Frankincense and Lemongrass Essential Oils
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.
Frankincense essential oil is very unique in its chemical makeup, unlike virtually anything else in the plant kingdom. It is only in Frankincense that Boswellic acids are found in significant quantity. Boswellic acids first became popular in the West around 20 years ago, when it found its way into anti-inflammatory preparations for sore muscles and arthritic joints. Boswellic acids seem to not only have the ability to reduce inflammation but to stimulate regeneration as well -- one high-end skin care company has started including them in their anti-aging line, as these compounds have been show to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin texture. It is these compounds that are able to initiate apoptosis, or natural programmed cell death, the lack of which is one of the characteristics of all cancers.
The Unique Ability to specifically Target Cancerous Cells
The conclusion of a study published in the journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, March 2009, by researchers at the University of Oklahoma was "Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells, and suppress cancer cell viability". This is truly a profound result, when considering what modern chemotherapy does -- reduces the viability of all cells in and surrounding a tumor, with the hope that healthy cells live through the process in significant enough numbers that the patient recovers. Similar results have been published for a great many kinds of cancer: melanoma, leukemia, liver, colon and prostate, and anecdotal reports have supported its use in the treatment of breast cancer as well.
Lemongrass Herb and Oil: Modern Research Uncovers Potential Anticancer Activity
The first result of a search for 'lemongrass' and 'cancer' is a paper titled "Anticancer activity of an essential oil from Cymbopogon flexuosus" (Cf is a popular species of Lemongrass, though other research also shows similar effects from Cymbopogon citratus). This study published in the May 2009 'Chemico-biological Interactions', performed at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine, examined both in-vitro (essentially "in the test tube")and in-vivo (in the body) anticancer activity of Lemongrass essential oil. The oil was actually evaluated for efficacy against 12 cancer cell lines in-vitro, and 2 in-vivo. The results were no less than astounding. Lemongrass was effective at inhibiting proliferation of all the cell lines, though with significant variation in the concentrations required for this effect. The lowest concentrations of Lemongrass were needed to inhibit growth of colon cancer and neuroblastoma cells in-vitro (a type of cancer of the nerve cells occurring in children and infants). Using mouse models, lemongrass essential oil was effective at limiting proliferation of a type of breast cancer and a connective-tissue cancer.
Future Perspectives on Essential Oils and Cancer
Clearly the results of laboratory research thus far is encouraging. It would be exceptionally helpful to have these studies run along side controls using known chemotherapeutic agents. With the state of cancer treatment in conventional medicine being what it is -- a rather closely guarded monopoly involving big pharmaceutical interests -- it is highly unlikely that research of treatments involving essential oils will be funded much further than these low-cost in-vitro investigations. At the same time, there are physicians out there whom are willing to work with these alternative treatments with their patients. If these natural treatment methods are of interest to you -- for yourself or a loved one -- with some effort, you'll be able to find the right health care professional. The information provided in this paper is not meant as substitute for medical advice, it is simply providing one perspective on the current research data available involving cancer and essential oils.
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About the Author
Ginger Robbins
More information on essential oils and aromatherapy carrier oils is available at the Ananda Apothecary. (show bio)
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