Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the top two killers of women. In addition to orthodox medicine, complementary therapies can also be used to provide women extra prevention and more comprehensive care. Amongst others, aromatherapy care can be added to the daily after shower routines, make use of essential oils with the related beneficial properties for extra care of your breast and cervix.
- Breast care – After shower, apply the diluted essential oil in layers, massage from underarms to nipples, and massage around the nipples.
- General care – lavender, geranium, chamomile, diluted with carrier oil.
- Lymphatic circulation – frankincense, geranium and thyme diluted with carrier oil.
- Cervix care – After shower, apply the diluted essential oils in layers, massage from the inner thighs to the genital area. Dilute frankincense, geranium and thyme with carrier oil for topical application, diffuse neat oil for aromatic benefits.
- Frankincense
Frankincense essential oil, commonly known as the King of Oil, is distilled from the resin of the Boswellia sacra tree. It comprises a complex mixture of monoterpenes of alpha-Pinene, alpha-Thujene, Limonene, Sabinene. Its dominant constituent, alpha-Pinene, is suggested by studies that it may help to reduce appearance of blemishes, promotes cellular health and many other health benefits. It also contributes to the “piney” scent of the oil. Studies have found that boswellic acid and other volatile constituents in frankincense can inhibit tumour cell proliferation, induce cell differentiation and apoptosis. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine recognized that frankincense has the effects of promoting blood circulation, relieving dysmenorrhea, and detoxification, and is also widely used in the treatment of rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
- Geranium
Geranium essential oil is distilled from the whole plant of Pelargonium. There are over 200 varieties of Pelargonium, but only a handful are used for essential oils. They are namely P. graveolens, P. odoratissimum, P. capitatum, P. radens and P. roseum (A hybrid of P. capitatum and P. radens). In ancient Egypt, Geranium was used as to beautify skin. Besides it being widely used as an ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics, geranium is now widely used in aromatherapy applications to manage stress, anxiety, fatigue and tension, balance emotions and hormones. In addition, the main components of citronellol and citronellyl formate highly contribute to the oil’s ability to repel insects. In a pre-clinical study conducted on the benefits of citronellol, it was shown that citronellol promotes metabolism.
- Thyme
Thyme is commonly used as spice to add flavour in cooking. The oil distilled from Thyme leaves contains high Thymol. The other primary chemical components are para-cymene and γ-terpinene. This combination provides cleansing and purifying effect on the skin. In traditional Chinese medication, Thyme has been used to treat indigestion, body ache, windy stomach, cough and sore throat and used as cooling herbal. The high concentration of Thymol in thyme gives it the antimicrobial and antiviral properties that stimulates the immune system to defend against respiratory related symptoms. Thyme oil can be used to naturally balance hormones. Thyme oil increases progesterone levels. It helps to reduce fibroids because high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone is one of the causes of fibroids. It also helps to relief menopause symptoms such as mood swings, hot flashes and insomnia. According to a Research by the Proceedings of the Society of Experimental Biology and Medicine, of 150 herbs tested for progesterone production that inhibit the growth of human breast cancer cells, thyme oil is one of the top six to have the highest estradiol and progesterone binding.