Alternative Treatments For Cancer Frankincense And Lemongrass Essential Oils Show Promising Results In Laboratory Research

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.

Modern Research Proves Ancient Medicine's Potential

Frankincense essential oil is noted in "The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy" by Salvatore Battaglia as an immuno-stimulant, an oil that does not eradicate viruses or bacteria directly, but improves the body's own natural immunity. A look at the research performed over the last few years is quite impressive: several pages of abstracts are returned when searching specifically for research regarding its potential as a cancer therapy. Many of these investigations have found the same result: Frankincense (and actually other essential oils that have similar effects) apparently targets only cancerous cells, leaving otherwise healthy cells unaffected.

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


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

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).

Israeli researchers, publishing their results in the May 2007 Planta Medica, discovered similar results focusing on a primary constituent of Lemongrass essential oil: Citral. This natural constituent adds the 'lemony' aroma to many essential oils, including of course Lemon, Melissa, and Lemon Verbena. Citral was noted to also show cancer cell specificity (liver cancer cells were evaluated in this case), causing only the cancer cells to die off. It appears that lemongrass essential oil, like Frankincense, also induces natural cell death in cancer cells, sparing normal healthy cells in the process.

Looking Forward: Alternative Therapies as Cancer Treatments

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.