Essential oils have been used by many cultures around the world since many centuries. They have been a part of religious ceremonies, traditional healing methods, and even personal aromatic therapies. Although it is not known at which point of time in history the use of essential oils began, certain records from ancient civilizations in India, China, Egypt, Greece, and greater Europe note that essential oils were used in those times to miraculously heal people and promote good health and well-being.
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential oils are plant-based substances and are pure plant extracts that contain an aroma that is almost 70 to 100 times more concentrated than their respective parent plants. Pure essential oils are solely obtained from plants by extracting them carefully with the help of processes such as distillation and cold pressing. However, many commercial essential oils might contain chemicals as they are often made in a laboratory. These special oils are derived from various parts of plants such as the root, leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, berries, and even grass. The purest form of essential oils have wonderful therapeutic properties and have the ability to treat many simple and complex illnesses.
Research has proved that certain essential oils can even cure some cancers, which are often regarded as the deadliest of all diseases. Read on to find out which essential oils can prevent cancer, specifically skin cancer, and benefit humanity incredibly.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense is also known as Olibanum and is derived from the Boswellia trees known as Boswellia Sacra and Boswellia Carteri. Frankincense is the milky sap extracted from the bark of these trees, which hardens into a gum resin and its oil is produced by steam-distillation of the frankincense.
Frankincense oil heals many skin conditions. However, several medical studies have also proved that this essential oil can combat the possibilities of certain cancers such as breast cancer, bladder cancer, and even skin cancer. This is due to the presence of 17 active agents found in most types of frankincense. This essential oil has the potential to reduce skin cancer symptoms naturally.
Sandalwood Oil
Sandalwood is an evergreen tree that has its origins in India, and it can take thirty to sixty years to mature fully. Sandalwood essential oil is extracted by the method of distillation from the wood found in the center of the tree trunk.
Sandalwood oil is anti-inflammatory in nature and is known to relieve people from mild inflammations such as contact lens irritation, insect bites, and other mild skin conditions. However, a study was published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention in 1997, and it proved that sandalwood is full of chemo-protective properties and can prevent skin cancer effectively. The study found that sandalwood oil had the ability to decrease papilloma frequency by up to 67 percent, which reduce the possibilities of being attacked by skin cancer to a great extent.
Myrrh Oil
Extracted by the process of steam-distillation of the resin of the Commiphora Myrrha tree, myrrh essential oil was used by the ancient civilizations in Egypt and China. However, the amazing fact is that myrrh essential oil has also been found to inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells.
How To Make A DIY Skin Cream From Essential Oils
Try this recipe to make your own skincare product at home, and soothe your skin using essential oils.
Ingredients:
1. 20 drops of your chosen essential oil
2. ½ cup of cocoa butter
3. ¼ cup of coconut oil
4. 2 tbsp of argan oil or jojoba oil
5. 2 tbsp of olive oil or sweet almond oil
Method:
1. Take a bowl and melt the cocoa butter. Once it melts, add coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, and your chosen essential oil to it.
2. Mix them well and place the bowl in the fridge until it starts to harden. Once it has cooled down, use a hand mixer or an electric mixer to whip it up.
3. Scrape the residue from all sides of the bowl with the help of a spatula and continue whipping. Repeat the process until the cream reaches its best consistency. Store it in a glass jar and keep it handy.
Tip: You may store the cream in the fridge during the hot and humid summer months. Also, note that you buy only the pure and organic essential oil of your choice.