The Benefits of Essential Oils, Aromatherapy for Cancer – Essential oils have been around since the beginning of time. Throughout history, essential oils were used to cure diseases, relieve symptoms, and help people feel better after long illnesses. They are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants and have amazing medicinal properties. However, when some people think of essential oils, they may turn up their nose. Due to the Flexner Report of 1910 and the alliance between “Big Business” and the American Medical Association (AMA), they no longer recognize oils a crucial part of the medical curriculum.
Medicine continues to focus on drugs, prescribing a “pill for everything ill.” Proven remedies and traditions are falling by the wayside, and essential oils lost some of their popularity. Cancer patients, however, have started a new resurgence in essential oils. Through aromatherapy, many cancer patients have found relief from the dire effects of chemotherapy. They utilize aromatherapy techniques during their recovery. And as you’ll see at the end of this article, they may even use essential oils as a treatment.
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is a natural modality that can help patients cope with chronic pain, nausea, stress, and depression. It also has been used to stimulate the immune system, fight off bacterial infections, increase circulation, alleviate headaches, soothes sore muscles, and help you sleep at night. Each oil is promoted to have specific health benefits, so patients must find the right oils for their health concerns. Common essential oils used in aromatherapy and their health benefits include:
- Lavender is used to relieve stress, treat depression, reduce inflammation, and act as a natural decongestant
- Eucalyptus can fight migraines, fevers, respiratory issues, and bacterial infections
- Chamomile is a soothing essential oil that has antibacterial properties and can reduce inflammation and chronic pain
- Bergamot is used to treat stress, anxiety, depression, skin infections, and fatigue
- Peppermint is a stimulant that can sharpen your focus, enhance your mental alertness, and boost your energy
These essential oils, and many more, can be used to help alleviate some of the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of allopathic cancer treatments like chemotherapy.
The Benefits of Essential Oils, Aromatherapy for Cancer
Aromatherapy can be self-administered or administered by a professional. Many aromatherapists found in the United States are also massage therapists, psychologists, chiropractors, or social workers. They may use the oils in their practices to help relieve some of their patient’s pain and enhance the quality of life. In the United States, you can buy the oils and a home diffuser yourself in order to self administer your aromatherapy treatments. Essential oils can be used individually or combined for maximum benefits.
Everyone has a unique body chemistry, so different oils may work differently on unique individuals. For this reason, aromatherapy may take time to improve your symptoms. You may need to try numerous oils and oil combinations before finding an oil or a combination of oils that truly works for you. Once you find the right oils, they can be applied to your skin or inhaled. For inhalation purposes, a home diffuser can be purchased. A home diffuser utilizes water to humidify your home and add essential oils to your environment. You may also add a few drops of essential oils to a steaming pot of water or to your shower each day in order to vaporize the oils and inhale them.
If essential oils are applied directly to your skin, they may need to be applied along with a carrier oil. Olive oil and coconut oil are both great carrier oils. They can soak up the essential oils and help your body to absorb them properly. You can also make your own creams and salves that contain essential oils. You can use them on sore muscles or any areas of your body that are painful.
What about Frankincense?
This article when be complete without mentioning frankincense. For over 5000 years frankincense (aka Boswellia serrata) has been used to support the immune system, fight infection and heal diseases. Yes, even cancer! A 2013 study by University of Leicester researchers indicated that frankincense contains a compound AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid). This targets cancer cells, including ovarian, brain, breast, colon, pancreatic, prostate, and stomach cancers.
According to researchers out of Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, frankincense helps regulate the cellular epigenetic machinery. This highlights its ability to influence genes to promote healing. As a result, they believe that it may be effective for both cancer prevention and treatment!
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