The Concerns of Cancer Make Top News
At the top of the list of American concerns is most likely the development of cancer. Headlines from magazines, newspapers and websites denote a rise in cancer among young and old alike. Concerns vary from cancer being an inevitable death sentence, to how to pay for this disease if diagnosed, as well as how to choose from the myriad of methods in preventing the development of cancer in the first place.
Another shift in headline news is alternative treatments to often expensive and sometimes invasive forms of health care. More and more individuals are seeking ways to gain freedom from dependence upon pharmaceuticals, intensive scans and often impersonal treatments to both body and soul.
Essential oils are a rather gentle yet a highly effective method of treating ailments and supporting overall good health. These plant extractions are low in cost compared to frequently overarching methods of modern medical treatment and can be used safely by all ages.
This paper specifically addresses the rising interest of essential oils in research, specifically on the effectiveness in preventing and treating cancer. It also addresses how essential oils when used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatment can decrease the side effects of these modern methods.
Brief Description of Cancer
Cancer in general terms is cells growing out of control. The mechanism (found in the mitochondria of the cell) to stop abnormal growth of the cell is interrupted or turned off. Once this process begins, these abnormal cells either invade or replace normal tissue. Such a process can occur within any parts of the body.
There are two main groupings of cancer cells: cancers that form in solid tissues like the liver, bone or brain and cancers that do not form solid structures and proliferate in the blood and lymph systems, such as leukemia and lymphomas.
Causes of cancer formation within the body can originate from various sources. Most cancers are now attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle; dietary choices such as a diet rich in processed foods; genetics, as well as hazardous chemical exposure either though air, water or direct contact.
According to a 2005 paper produced by the American Cancer Society , over one million new cancer cases were expected to be diagnosed in the United States alone. According to this publication, cancer is the second leading cause of death, taking the lives of one in four Americans.
Surge in Interest of Essential Oils by American Medical Researchers
With the rising cost of orthodox medical care and the escalating interest of Americans to seek alternative treatments to bodily ailments, medical researchers are expanding their interests to other forms of potential treatment, specifically essential oils.
European practitioners have been using essential oils to treat various illnesses for years, even centuries. Yet, in the United States, it is now just stirring the interest of medical practitioners and researchers. In the paragraphs below a brief overview of current research on essential oils and cancer is provided.
Current Research on the Effectiveness of Essential Oils Against Cancer
Numerous studies looking at various essential oils on the cytotoxic (killing of cells) properties of cancer cells have been conducted. The results are promising and hopeful. In the last three years alone, studies have found isolated compounds in essential oils to have noticeable cyotoxicity on cancer cells.
In 2007, a study published in the September/October Anticancer Research jounal performed at the University of Calabria, Italy, noted that essential oils from the Lauraceae families inhibit human tumor cell growth in vitro (out of living cells, such as in a test tube or Petri dish) environments. In the January 2006 Journal of Ethnopharmacol, University of Quebec, Canada researchers identified compounds in the leaf essential oil of Croton flavens L. that are cytogentic against tumor cells.
Lemongrass, after Frankincense, may next most commonly researched essential oil for anti-cancer activity. In the May 2009 journal of Chemico-Biological Interactions, researchers tested Lemongrass essential oil against 12 human cancer cell lines. Colon cancer and neuron cancer cell lines were found most susceptible to the essential oil. In a Canadian study, researchers even found conventional aromatherapy treatment to increase the cytoxicity of a commonly-used cytotoxic drug was significantly increased.
One of the interesting features of these studies is that each used different essential oils and found a similar result: essential oils killing cancer cells. That's not to say all oils will do this, and it is likely within those that do, some will eventually be found significantly more effective than others. And, the value of simple inhalation of essential oils should not be overlooked as an important complementary medicine. - 14130
At the top of the list of American concerns is most likely the development of cancer. Headlines from magazines, newspapers and websites denote a rise in cancer among young and old alike. Concerns vary from cancer being an inevitable death sentence, to how to pay for this disease if diagnosed, as well as how to choose from the myriad of methods in preventing the development of cancer in the first place.
Another shift in headline news is alternative treatments to often expensive and sometimes invasive forms of health care. More and more individuals are seeking ways to gain freedom from dependence upon pharmaceuticals, intensive scans and often impersonal treatments to both body and soul.
Essential oils are a rather gentle yet a highly effective method of treating ailments and supporting overall good health. These plant extractions are low in cost compared to frequently overarching methods of modern medical treatment and can be used safely by all ages.
This paper specifically addresses the rising interest of essential oils in research, specifically on the effectiveness in preventing and treating cancer. It also addresses how essential oils when used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatment can decrease the side effects of these modern methods.
Brief Description of Cancer
Cancer in general terms is cells growing out of control. The mechanism (found in the mitochondria of the cell) to stop abnormal growth of the cell is interrupted or turned off. Once this process begins, these abnormal cells either invade or replace normal tissue. Such a process can occur within any parts of the body.
There are two main groupings of cancer cells: cancers that form in solid tissues like the liver, bone or brain and cancers that do not form solid structures and proliferate in the blood and lymph systems, such as leukemia and lymphomas.
Causes of cancer formation within the body can originate from various sources. Most cancers are now attributed to an unhealthy lifestyle; dietary choices such as a diet rich in processed foods; genetics, as well as hazardous chemical exposure either though air, water or direct contact.
According to a 2005 paper produced by the American Cancer Society , over one million new cancer cases were expected to be diagnosed in the United States alone. According to this publication, cancer is the second leading cause of death, taking the lives of one in four Americans.
Surge in Interest of Essential Oils by American Medical Researchers
With the rising cost of orthodox medical care and the escalating interest of Americans to seek alternative treatments to bodily ailments, medical researchers are expanding their interests to other forms of potential treatment, specifically essential oils.
European practitioners have been using essential oils to treat various illnesses for years, even centuries. Yet, in the United States, it is now just stirring the interest of medical practitioners and researchers. In the paragraphs below a brief overview of current research on essential oils and cancer is provided.
Current Research on the Effectiveness of Essential Oils Against Cancer
Numerous studies looking at various essential oils on the cytotoxic (killing of cells) properties of cancer cells have been conducted. The results are promising and hopeful. In the last three years alone, studies have found isolated compounds in essential oils to have noticeable cyotoxicity on cancer cells.
In 2007, a study published in the September/October Anticancer Research jounal performed at the University of Calabria, Italy, noted that essential oils from the Lauraceae families inhibit human tumor cell growth in vitro (out of living cells, such as in a test tube or Petri dish) environments. In the January 2006 Journal of Ethnopharmacol, University of Quebec, Canada researchers identified compounds in the leaf essential oil of Croton flavens L. that are cytogentic against tumor cells.
Lemongrass, after Frankincense, may next most commonly researched essential oil for anti-cancer activity. In the May 2009 journal of Chemico-Biological Interactions, researchers tested Lemongrass essential oil against 12 human cancer cell lines. Colon cancer and neuron cancer cell lines were found most susceptible to the essential oil. In a Canadian study, researchers even found conventional aromatherapy treatment to increase the cytoxicity of a commonly-used cytotoxic drug was significantly increased.
One of the interesting features of these studies is that each used different essential oils and found a similar result: essential oils killing cancer cells. That's not to say all oils will do this, and it is likely within those that do, some will eventually be found significantly more effective than others. And, the value of simple inhalation of essential oils should not be overlooked as an important complementary medicine. - 14130
About the Author:
Its easy to warm the atmosphere of any space with quality essential oils. An aromatherapy diffuser is an easy means of bringing these fragrances into your home, for positive health effects, or to simply enjoy their aromas.
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