Is this the secret cure for a disease that supposedly has no ‘cure’? This article takes a look at the case for essential oils for cancer – do they really work and if so, why are people still dying of cancer?
The Curious Case of Essential Oils for Cancer
“Essential oils can cure cancer!”
“Essential oils do nothing for cancer!”
There’s so much conflicting information out there when it comes to essential oils for cancer. To make things worse, there is much less documented scientific evidence of cancer being cured with essential oils.
But why are essential oils becoming a sensational topic when it comes to cancer? What’s so special about essential oils that’s making people believe essential oils hold the magical cure for cancer?
Cancer is complex. There are so many different types of cancer including breast, prostrate, ovarian, lung, skin, brain, blood, bone and pancreatic cancers, to mention but a few. And even under each cancer, there are various categories and stages.
Since cancer is not one disease, there is no way we can say essential oils alone hold the magic remedy to completely annihilating cancer. Every individual has to be diagnosed correctly and customized lifestyle changes and remedies must be used in a holistic protocol for a true cure. Cancer takes months, if not years, to form. Likewise patience and consistency must be exercised when treating cancer, whether by natural means or modern medical means.
Research Regarding Essential Oils for Cancer
A paper published in the Molecular Medicine report in 2015 showed that a plant diterpene called sclareol , found in clary sage essential oil was found to induce apostasies (or self-destruction) of osteosarcoma cancer cells. This compound also inhibited cancer by destroying the membrane of cancer cells. (1)
Research carried out by the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine in 2008 showed that lemongrass oil displayed promising anticancer activity against 12 human cancer cell lines. The oil also caused a loss in the viability of tumor cells leading to their destruction. (2)
Numerous studies have been conducted on the potent anti-oxidant properties of lavender essential oil. Anti-oxidants are considered to be highly important in treating cancer because they help neutralize free radical damage, reduce oxidative stress and encourage the regeneration of healthy cells. Lavender was shown to have nuero-protective, cancer-preventative effects. (3)
Myrrh, similar to frankincense has been demonstrated to have significant cancer-fighting properties. Research carried out by the Harbin Medical University, China in 2013 showed myrrh to have anti-cancer activities, surpassing frankincense oil. No synergy was found when using both oils together to speed up the anti-cancer effects. (4)
A report published in the Molecules journal in 2010 noted thyme essential oil to display potent anti-cancer activities. Thyme was found to have positive effects against breast, prostate and lung carcinoma cells. (5)
Research published in the BioMed Research International in 2014 showed the effect of peppermint essential oil on the common symptoms faced by cancer patients. It was found that essential oils helped to alleviate pain, headaches, dizziness and distress that many cancer patients, especially those undergoing radiation therapy, underwent. (6)
The Problem with the Research on Essential Oils for Cancer
While the existing research on the effects of essential oils for cancer seems reasonable, there is still a big limitation that no one seems to realize. The fact is that all these studies are entirely based on in vitro experimentation. This means that the all the evidence of essential oils killing cancer cells is based on petri dish samples.
Just because an essential oil is able to inhibit the spread of cancer cells in a controlled environment such as in a laboratory petri dish, does not mean that it will cure cancer in a human being who is a complex creature of different cells, conditions and circumstances.
The bottom line is: is it possible that essential oils can cure cancer? May be. Do in vitro tests of the effect of essential oils on carefully controlled cancer cell samples prove the essential oils can cure cancer? Not at all.
Cancer Cure Testimonials Continue to Sweep the Internet
Regardless of the severe lack of clinical research and evidence on successful treatment of cancer using essential oils, cancer cure testimonials continue to take the internet by storm. Some of these stories include:
Marilyn, who was diagnosed with breast cancer, applied frankincense and lemongrass to her breast every day. At her 6 month check-up, no trace of cancer was found!
Jacqui’s nephew was suffering from a second incidence of leukemia. By taking essential oils during chemo, he went into remission much quicker than the doctors expected!
A young child diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in the brain was massaged with frankincense and sandalwood essential oils on the bottom of her feet every day. Now is cancer-free!
Sourced from: http://www.budwigcenter.com/essential-oils/
Top 10 Essential Oils for Cancer
Here are the most common essential oils for cancer, based on the studies and success stories available:
1. Frankincense (where to get it)
2. Thyme (where to get it)
3. Lavender (where to get it)
4. Peppermint (where to get it)
5. Myrrh (where to get it)
6. Clary sage (where to get it)
7. Lemongrass (where to get it)
8. Sandalwood (where to get it)
9. Wintergreen (where to get it)
10. Chamomile (where to get it)
References
(1) http://pubget.com/articles/elasticsearch_show/25672419
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19121295
(3) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711312005120
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3796379/
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3796379/
(6) https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/154106/#B206
Have you used essential oils for cancer? What oils did you use and how did you use them? Please share your story in the comments below so others can benefit from your experience.