There are anecdotal reports of seriously ill cancer patients regaining their health with essential oils.
Please bear in mind these accounts are not the same thing as scientific studies. Also, I want to make it clear that I’m not claiming essential oils can prevent or cure cancer.
Most mainstream medical professionals will say there’s no proof aromatherapy has any benefit in treating malignancies.
Right now, though, a small, but growing. body of evidence does show that some essential oils contain powerful anti-cancer compounds, when studied in the lab. In a few circles, these natural substances are getting a closer look, by modern scientists, as potential non-toxic cancer treatments that may be available someday.
I need to stress that the cancer-fighting ability of essential oils has only been demonstrated in the lab. As far as I’m aware there are no ongoing clinical trials in the United States involving real patients. Aromatic oils also have a long history of use as folk remedies for cancer. But more research is needed.
Essential Oils and Breast Cancer Prevention
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Frankincense is among the oils that’s been studied the most. The ancients considered this resin, derived from the Boswellia tree, as more precious than gold. Now, it’s becoming clear why it was so highly treasured.
In the laboratory, frankincense can hone in on cancer cells and obliterate them. It does this while leaving normal cells undisturbed. This is something that doesn’t happen with chemotherapy drugs, which kill all rapidly dividing cells indiscriminately. This is why we see side effects, such as hair loss and gastric distress.
Research into frankincense and cancer is being carried out in Oman and in the United States, at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, where Dr. HK Lin, PhD is investigating this resin’s seemingly effective tumor-fighting potential. He has observed that one type of frankincense, made by the Young Living company, is especially good at killing cancer cells. This is something he hasn’t seen with other brands, perhaps because they’re derived from a different type of frankincense or because they’re processed differently.
Normally, I don’t buy my oils from Young Living or from other multilevel marketing companies. That’s because I’ve found other brands I like just as well. However, in the case of frankincense, I do need to point out that Young Living has been shown to be effective against cancer cells in the lab.
Please note that I’m not claiming or suggesting it will stop cancer in a person. More research is needed before anyone would suggest frankincense therapy as a mainstream treatment. However, if you’re looking for a high-grade frankincense with an amazing uplifting smell, for general all-purpose use, I can recommend highly recommend Young Living Sacred Frankincense, which I’ve purchased myself.
Sacred Frankincense Essential Oil
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Orange Oil Cancer Research
In the United States, oncologists cannot legally recommend anything that’s not approved by the FDA. This is likely part of the reason why these doctors don’t encourage people with “terminal” cancer to try another approach.
Many of the studies conducted in the United States are designed to explore how different drugs can be used to treat various conditions. There’s very little incentive for a pharmaceutical firm to fund a study on frankincense or any other natural substance, since these plant-based remedies cannot be patented.
However, there is some evidence that d-limone, a compound found in orange peels, led to a complete remission of mammary (breast) tumors in a group of rats. This study was published in the Cancer Research medical journal in 1992. Other studies have also explored this compound as a potential non-toxic therapy for cancer. The results have been highly encouraging.
One study published in the October 2012 edition of the Journal of Cancer Therapy found that topical application of orange oil was safe in for healthy women and also in mice, where it was found to be absorbed.
Once again, I’m not suggesting that orange essential oil offers protection against breast cancer in humans. I’ve purchased several bottles of orange oil from other companies, which I’ve used to help me sleep at night. I’ve also used it during the day, since I find the aroma invigorating. If you’d like to purchase Young Living orange essential oil, it’s sold by various multilevel marketing reps. It’s also available online.
Young Living Orange Essential Oil
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Although some essential oil distributors recommend ingesting essential oils, most aromatherapists disagree with this practice. I also warn people against doing this as well, as these highly concentrated plant extracts are so potent. One of the companies I buy my oils from strongly discourages internal use. Another company says to only consider this if working with a professional aromatherapist.
One of the best ways to derive the benefits of these precious oils is to dilute 1 or 2 drops in a carrier oil and use them for massage. This way all of the healing compounds are safely delivered. Olive, grapeseed and coconut oil make excellent carrier oils.
Myrrh and Cancer
Along with frankincense, myrrh is another of the gifts given to Jesus by the Three Wise Men. It’s also being discovered that these two resins go very well together, at least as far as cancer is concerned. In the laboratory, Dr. Lin has found that the additional of a little myrrh to frankincense seems to supercharge the latter.
In 2001, the Journal of Natural Products reported the findings of a group of researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey, in which a compound found naturally in myrrh killed breast cancer cells in the laboratory. This has not yet been tested in humans. However, a press release announcing the publication of the studies noted that the researchers believe this resin was used in ancient times to fight cancer.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice. I am not responsible for treatment decisions or outcome. Please do not neglect getting proper medical care because of anything you’ve read on this site.
