Essential Oil of Thisle Root Examined for Anti-Breast Cancer Activity

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Eric@Ananda
Ornamental Thistle Root Essential Oil

Ornamental Thistle root essential oil shown to have anti-proliferative effects for type of breast cancer.

While not commercially available as essential oils, the hydro-distilled oils of Marsh and Ornamental Thistle roots (relatives of Milk Thistle) were examined for their anti-proliferative effects on adenocarcinoma breast cancer cells. Adenocarcinoma means cancer of cells lining organs and tissues.

The essential oils were concluded to have moderately anti-proliferative effects, limiting proliferation at concentrations below concentrations which did the same to healthy cells.

What’s really remarkable is that this is one in a long list of essential oils noted effective against cancer cells, some of which are noted to cause cell death to cancer cells at concentrations which leave healthy cells ‘healthy’

Boswellia trees, source of Frankincense resin.

Boswellia Trees, from which Frankincense resin is ethically harvested, and the essential oil is distilled from this resin.

Most notably, Frankincense essential oil has been found effective in causing cell death in breast cancer cells (post to follow soon!).

Several other essential oils have shown this effect as well, on a variety of cancer cell lines. The take home message is that many essential oils show anti-carcinogenic effects, and are worth investigating to a point where protocols are developed for their use.

And now the abstract regarding the Thistle root essential oils…

Published In: Natural Product Communications, 2012 Feb;7(2):269-72.

Title: The chemical composition of the essential oils of Cirsium palustre and C. rivulare and their antiproliferative effect.

By: Nazaruk J, Karna E, Kalemba D.

Source: Department of Pharmacognosy, Medical University of Białystok, Poland.

Abstract: The composition of the essential oils of Cirsium palustre and C. rivulare and their antiproliferative activity against breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MBA-231) were investigated. The essential oils obtained by hydro-distillation from the roots (yield 0.2 and 0.1% v/w, respectively), leaves and inflorescences (yield below 0.01%), were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The composition of the essential oils in the respective organs of each plant differed considerably. On the other hand, similarities were observed in the composition of root and leaf oils. In C. palustre and C. rivulare root oil, 50 and 39 constituents were identified, accounting for 95.3% and 92.4% of the total content. The main components were aplotaxene and its derivatives, representing 78.6% and 46.6% of the total content. In leaf oils of both species, 59 and 49 compounds, respectively, were identified, representing 67.4% and 78.3% of the total content. The major constituents were beta-damascenone (4.1% and 13.4%, respectively) and beta-ionone (6.7% and 5.3%, respectively). Short-chain saturated and unsaturated aliphatic alcohols and aldehydes constituted another important group of compounds (17.7% and 9.0%, respectively). The essential oils of the roots have moderate anti-proliferative activity, with IC50 values ranging from 110 to 140 microg/mL. These concentrations were below the level able to inhibit the proliferation of healthy cells.

Posted in Essential Oil Science | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Confirms Pain Relief from Essential Oils

Posted on March 24, 2012 by Eric@Ananda

Lavender Flowers, Source of Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender Fields in France, Source of the Main Ingredient in this Pain Relieving Formula

Straight up! Essential oils shown in a double-blind, placebo controlled study to reduce painful symptoms of one’s menstrual period. Now, we (the store staff and friends) have been using essential oils to reduce pain and inflammation, and speed healing of all sorts of injuries for some time – yet for whatever reason, validation of this type of action is rare (can we just donate a kilo of Helichrysum, and work with anyone to fund a study of human subjects? Let us know…we’re serious :)

Clary Sage, source of Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary Sage, often used in "women's" formulas, made up 25% of the essential oils in this blend.

SO in this study, published in the March 22nd Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research, a blend of Lavender, Clary Sage and Marjoram, in a 2:1:1 ration was based in an unscented cream at a 3% concentration. Participants receiving a placebo had synthetic fragrances in the cream base rather than essential oils.

Sweet Marjoram, often included in pain-relieving massage forumulas.

Results indicated a significant difference in both duration and severity of symptoms of dysmenorrhea in the group receiving treatment with true essential oils. The authors conclude: “Aromatic oil massage provided relief for outpatients with primary dysmenorrhea and reduced the duration of menstrual pain in the essential oil group.

To make one ounce of this formula yourself is very simple. There are 4 parts total of essential oil used (2 lavender, 1 clary sage, and 1 marjoram). The total concentration in 1oz, which is 30milliliters, was 3%, the same as saying 1ml per 30ml, so there is one ml total essential oil, and about 29ml of cream base in the formula. According to our measurements, there are ABOUT an average of 44 drops per ml of these essential oils (this is using our standard 3ml pipette, which is rate at 22 drops per ml of water…remember, water and essential oils have different viscountcies, hence the difference in these numbers…you can always test this yourself…we did three tries with each oil: fill the pipette to the 1ml mark, and count the number of drops as the essential oil is expelled – here are the results of our measurements for the number of drops of essential oils per ml from our standard pipettes).

THE POINT BEING, by simply using 11 drops per ‘part’ of the formula, you can make the blend like this: 22 drops lavender, 11 drops clary sage, and 11 drops sweet marjoram essential oils, into an empty 1oz bottle, then fill the bottle with ANY carrier oil, or an unscented cream such as our organic Jojoba/Coconut cream base. Shake well…and there you have it!

SO THE BIGGER QUESTION is what about the scientific validity of pain relief provided by other essential oils? We know that wintergreen and birch are both virtually 100% ‘liquid aspirin’ (methyl salicilate) and have been used for ages for pain and inflammation relief (however, we really only recommend their use on a temporary, not ongoing basis, as elimination of methyl salicilate from the body is hard work for the liver).

Helichrysum italicum, source of the essential oil.

Helichrysum italicum, source of the essential oil, the most consistently reliable pain relieving oil we have used personally.

But what about our all-time favorite: Helichrysum italicum? Almost every user who uses it at above a 20% concentration finds relief almost instantaneous. For many injuries, healing seems more than just the relief of pain, but stimulation of regeneration and inflammation relief, as is consistent with knowledge of the oil’s chemistry (for example, a knee was hurting after a long trail run in new shoes the other day…about 10 drops of the oil massaged on location, and the pain was gone…a subsequent run in the same shoes two days later did not result in the pain returning — this type of relief, on different injuries, seems fairly consistent).

Why did Lavender, Clary Sage and Marjoram work? Because MANY essential oil constituents (as found in these three oils) show inflammation-reducing properties. Only a few, however, show safe, ketone-mediated potentially regenerative properties, one of these being Helichrysum, another being Lavender. Sage and Rosemary Verbenone also contain regenerative ketones, but these have not been proven safe for continual use as those in Lavender and Helichrysum.

Regardless, this is one of the few studies directly investigating the pain relieving properties of essential oils, in controlled research, using a formula that has been specifically called for for treatment of this particular condition in the aromatherapy literature…not because it had been ‘proven’ to work before, but because those with the knowledge of essential oil chemistry EXPECTED it to work, and it did.

Our final point? That this is one small validation for the entire spectrum of healing potential suggested by the aromatherapy literature…much of this has been written by practitioners and Ph.D.’s with YEARS of research and observation under their belts. Two thumbs up for the researchers taking the chance, and kudos to the aromatherapists whom suggested this type of blend should provide this result in the first place!

Posted in Essential Oil Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Ravintsara Essential Oil New at Ananda – How is it Different Than Ravensara?

Posted on March 17, 2012 by Eric@Ananda

Ravensara Leaves, Often Confused with Ravintsara

There’s been so much written about both Ravensara and Ravintsara over the years, and it is clear that even the most renown of therapists and writers have been writing about one oil, yet calling it another. Ravintsara essential oil is more akin to Eucalyptus oils due to its high 1,8-Cineol content. Ravintsara can be used safely in place of, or accompanying Eucalyptus oils in all their applications. Eucalyptus oils are generally utilized for their pleasing, lively aroma, as well as for their positive effects for cold and flu care, and respiratory ailments specifically. Ravintsara has its own unique aroma relative to other ‘Eucalyptol’ (1,8-cineol) containing essential oils: its scent is that of both Eucalyptus with a touch of cinnamon-spiciness.

Ravintsara is not indigenous to Madagascar (where the majority of it is now sourced), but instead to Taiwan & China. The Ravintsara grown in Madagascar differs from these, as they are generally much higher in camphor (its botanical name being Cinnamomum camphora). The Ravintsara essential oil distilled from the leaves of the trees grown in Madagascar is considered the safer cousin of all these oils, and is very well tolerated by the majority of the population, are the Eucalyptus varieties.

This essential oil is wonderful for use in all the ways Eucalyptus varieties are – for an uplifting note in your diffuser blends (with the antiseptic properties associated with Eucalyptus species), as a breathing/respiratory support essential oil unto itself, and for inclusion in invigorating massage blends. Ravintsara essential oil is noted to be antibacterial, anticatarrhal, antifungal, anti-infectious, anti-rheumatic, antiviral, a decongestant, cicatrisant (wound healer), expectorant, and general immune and neurotonic.

Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt notes about Ravintsara: “it is the essence of choice for the treatment of influenza”…and calls its natural chemistry (of cineol and alpha-terpinol – also, by the way, why evergreen tree needle oils are included in anti-viral blends) a “cold-and-flu” synergy.

Essential oils also noted for similar properties include Bay Laurel, Eucalyptus Radiata, Niaouli, Tea Tree and Spike Lavender (to this list, we would add Benchmark Thyme as well). Treatment with these oils  may inhibit viruses by altering the pH and electrical resistance of humorous fluids in a way that is disadvantageous for viral replication.

The best way to use this oil for this application would be in a nebulizing diffuser, or inhaled from a steaming bowl of water several times per day. It can also be used in a diffuser as a prophylactic, perhaps preventing illness in those that are well, when coming into contact with ‘sick’ individuals. It can also be includedin blends for joint massage, due to its potential anti-rheumatic action.

Ravensara, on the other hand, is low in 1,8-cineol, though higher in methyl eugenol. It is the preferred oil to be blended with the carrier oil Tamanu for support of healing of Shingles. BOTH oils can be used for HSV in general, but it is the specific chemistry of Ravensara that appears to give it the advantage when treating shingles in its 50/50 blend with Tamanu (we include this blend, along with a dash of a few other highly-regarded anti-hsv essential oils in our TheraSkin formula).

Posted in Ananda Apothecary News | Leave a comment