12 Essential Oils for Cancer That You Should Know (Backed by Evidence)

Cancer is an uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells that destroy healthy body tissue.

If you or anyone in your family or friends is suffering from cancer, you know how devastating it can be.

The diagnosis is not the end of it, it’s the start of the battle. Despite medical advancements, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death in the world.

There is good news though.

You can use essential oils for cancer treatment at home. Check out these science-backed facts about how essential oils can fight cancer.

Although these natural remedies are scientifically proven, the information below is not meant to replace medical advice.

12 Essential Oils for Cancer Treatment

1. Oregano Oil

Oregano is popular worldwide for its medicinal properties [1].

Its active compounds such as carvacrol and thymol have cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. [2]

The proper use of oregano extract can lead to cellular death of cancerous tumors. [1].

Oregano extract can kill cancer cells and prevent them from spreading [1].

Oregano’s toxic effects work only for cancerous cells, and do not affect the healthy cells.

How to use oregano oil for cancer:

For this remedy, you will need: 6 drops of oregano oil, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Combine the two oils. Take one tablespoon of the mixture in the morning. Take another tablespoon in the evening. Repeat everyday.

2. Cinnamon Oil

Free radicals have long earned a bad reputation for the harm it causes on the body.

These by-products of oxygen metabolism can speed up the aging process. It can cause different kinds of diseases.

That’s not all.

Researchers described these as “an important class of carcinogens” [3]. In other words, free radicals can increase the risk of cancer.

Various studies have shown that cinnamon oil has potent antioxidant content. Thus, it can prevent free radical damage inside your body [4, 5].

Learn how you may use cinnamon oil for cancer:

To prepare this remedy, you will need: 5 drops of cinnamon oil, and water. Boil water in a pot.

Add cinnamon oil. Drink this tea several times a day.

3. Cardamom Oil

Cardamom is an aromatic spice that originated in the humid parts of Asia. It contains beneficial pharmacological properties [6].

It works as an analgesic, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-convulsant [6].

This herbal plant can treat many diseases and infections. It contains strong antioxidants. For instance: quercetin, 1,8 cineole, alpha-terpinyl acetate, myrcene, and terpinen-4-ol [6].

Most of these compounds are also present in its oil extract. So it doesn’t come as a surprise that its essential oil can fight even serious diseases such as cancer.

There are several ways cardamom oil fights cancer. It has a powerful cytotoxic activity that destroys cancer cells. It also strengthens the immune system and prevents the formation of cancerous tumors [7].

Cardamom oil is also an anti-inflammatory agent. It inhibits the process of carcinogenesis [7].

Here is a simple method of using cardamom oil for cancer:

Take 7 drops of cardamom oil and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Mix cardamom and olive oil. Take one tablespoon of the mixture during breakfast and after dinner. Do this every day.

4. Clove Oil

Clove is a popular spice used in Indian cooking that adds an enticing aroma and rich flavor to dishes.

What many do not know is that its essential oil works against cancer [8]. Researchers found clove oil to have the highest cytotoxic activity on cancer cells. [8]

This means that it can wipe out the abnormal cells inside the body before the spread.

Clove oil is rich in antioxidants. It prevents cancer-causing free radicals from inflicting any damage in the body [11].

Here’s how you may use clove oil for cancer:

To prepare this tea, you will need: 7 drops of clove oil, 1 pot of water, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Bring water to a boil and put clove oil. Add honey and mix well. Consume tea twice or thrice a day.

5. Fennel Oil

A 2011 study conducted in Egypt investigated properties of fennel oil. It contains anticancer, cytotoxic and anti-tumor properties [12].

Researchers utilized the mouse model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma on Swiss albino mice. [12]

At the same time, they also had some studies done on the various types of human cells [12].

After the 30-day experiment period, researchers concluded that cancer cells reduced by 50%. The free radical damage halted by 100% [12].

It was particularly effective in protecting the breast and liver from cancer. Fennel oil is safe, effective, and easily accessible source of cancer-fighting antioxidants [12].

Data from other studies support the claims that fennel oil can ward off cancer. It neutralizes free radical damage, killing cancer cells. [13, 14].

How to use fennel oil for cancer:

To prepare this remedy, take 7 drops of fennel oil, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Blend the oils together. Add one teaspoon of the mixture to your dish. Do this three to four times a day.

6. Thyme Oil

Thyme oil is an essential oil derived from the thyme plant. It has served many purposes in different fields—culinary, perfumery, dentistry and aromatherapy.

It has a long list of medicinal properties. It acts as an antibacterial, antiseptic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, expectorant, carminative, hypertensive, stimulant, and diuretic, among many others.

Everyone should also know that thyme oil is a good defense against cancer. According to a study published in the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, thyme oil can destroy cancer cells even those that are resistant to chemotherapy. [15]

The credit goes to thyme’s strong anticancer agents like thymol and carvacrol [15]. These antioxidants are also known to fight cancer by scavenging free radicals in the body [16].

Chemotherapy triggers even the healthy cells but this oil is much safer to use. It only focuses on the harmful cancer cells.

Learn how you may use thyme oil for cancer:

Combine 7 drops of thyme oil and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Consume a spoonful of the mixture twice a day.

7. Lavender Oil

When the stress gets too high, the first thing you want to do is to open your lavender oil bottle and sniff into.

Once you do, you’ll feel yourself calming down, and feeling better. The relaxation effects of lavender oil are few of its many wonderful benefits for the mind and body.

Lavender oil is also known for its antifungal, antibacterial, carminative and anti-depressive properties. [17]

Scientists also proved the anti-mutation and anticarcinogenic activities of lavender oil [18].

This oil has the ability to work as a chemotherapeutic agent. It works well particularly for cervical cancer [19].

Here is a simple method of using lavender oil for cancer:

For this remedy, you will need: water, basin, and 10 drops of lavender oil. Boil water in a pot. Transfer water in a bowl and add lavender oil. Inhale the steam. Do this several times a day.

8. Rosemary Oil

Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb that has many significant pharmacological properties. It is popular for its unique woody scent.

Many claim that it’s good for treating dandruff and dry scalp. It prevents viral and bacterial infections. It also promotes urinary and respiratory health. Rosemary oil reduces stress, anxiety and depression, among others.

Ancient healers have treated cancer with rosemary oil [20].

A study shows that supplementation with rosemary oil reduced the risk of mammary cancer in rats by up to 47% [20].

Rosemary oil inhibits the formation of several substances that trigger cancer formation. It scavenges the effects of free radicals in the body. It activates the complement system to suppress the body’s inflammatory reaction [20].

Rosemary has anti-cancer effects. Its active compounds called rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid treats cancer. [21]

Here’s how you may use rosemary oil for cancer:

To prepare the tea, take 8 drops of rosemary oil, and 1 pot of water. Put water in a pot and bring to a boil. Add rosemary oil. Sip tea slowly. Do this three to four times a day.

9. Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil is used as incense and perfume in Africa, Middle East and India [22].

It can cure many health problems including cancer. A study indicates that frankincense oil is capable of inducing death of cancer cells [23].

Researchers used an MTT assay to examine the effects of frankincense oil on five tumor cell lines [23]. Other studies confirm that it can treat bladder cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer. [24, 25, 26]

Its mode of actions relies on the arrest of cell cycle and growth, as well as causing death in cancerous cells [24]. Frankincense oil can distinguish between cancerous and healthy cells [24].

It kills the abnormal cells without harming the healthy ones.

How to use frankincense oil for cancer:

To make this solution, take 7 drops of frankincense oil, and 1 glass of water. Dilute frankincense oil in a glass of warm water. Drink this solution once a day.

10. Myrrh Oil

There’s more to myrrh oil than its enticing scent. It actually holds multitude of benefits for the health.

A yellowish oleo-gum resin used since the ancient times in Egypt and China [23]. Among the many diseases that it can help control is cancer. Myrrh oil contains anticancer and cytotoxic effects. [27, 28, 29, 30].

A study in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research states that myrrh oil kills cervical and endometrial carcinoma cells. [31]

Learn how you may use myrrh oil for cancer:

Blend 8 drops of myrrh oil and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Take one tablespoon of the mixture in the morning. Take another tablespoon in the evening.

11. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is often added to mouthwashes, toothpastes and other dental products. It makes the taste of these products more pleasant. Peppermint oil has antibacterial and breath-freshening effects.

Peppermint oil is also a good way to fight cancer. A study conducted on animals showed that the use of peppermint oil can cure cancer such as skin cancer [32].

The number and size of the cancerous tumors reduced after the mice subjects consumed peppermint oil. [32]

The use of this oil is not only for treatment of cancer, but also for prevention. It’s also safe to use for long-term as it doesn’t harm the healthy cells, only the cancerous tumors.

Here is a simple method of using peppermint oil for cancer:

Add 10 drops of peppermint oil to 1 glass of water and mix well. Consume peppermint oil mixture two times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

12. Clary Sage Oil

Clary sage essential oil comes from the flowers and leaves of the perennial clary sage herb.

Clary sage oil is a popular home remedy for skin disorders since the middle ages. The primary chemical compounds of this oil are Linalyl acetate, Linalool, and sclareol.

These chemical compounds contains anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative and anti-cancer effects.

The oil is used for soothing inflamed skin, boost quality night’s sleep and mental relaxation.

One of the major components of the oil sclareol. It fights cancerous cells in human body.

A 2006 study confirms that 13-epi-sclareol, in clary sage oil leads to death of cancerous cells. Clary sage oil is more effective in preventing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

Studies show that clary sage oil can prevent and treat the deadly disease.

Here’s how you may use clary sage oil for cancer:

Mix 4 drops of clary sage oil, and 1 glass of warm water. Consume the solution twice daily.

Additionally, soak in clary sage oil bath by mixing 8-10 drops of the oil to your warm shower water. Continue the treatment every day to curb cancer.

When to See a Doctor

You must consult a doctor if you see any symptoms of cancer. Essential oils may help relieve some symptoms, but they can’t cure cancer.

You must have regular appointments with your doctors and start your treatment as soon as possible.

Final Note

Many die from cancer each year. World Health Organization (WHO) predicts a 70% increase in cancer cases in the next 20 years. You can use essential oils as a natural cancer treatment.

Cancer is not something that you should treat by yourself. Thus, consult your doctor before trying out any treatment.

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