Using Essential Oils with Cancer

If you have cancer, you can certainly benefit from the use of essential oils. However, you will have to take some precautions and avoid some essential oils all together. Read on for tips on using essential oils with cancer.

Using Essential Oils with Cancer - Essential Oils to Avoid

When you have cancer, there are essential oils that you'll want to avoid at all costs. These essential oils include aniseed, basil, bay, clove, cinnamon, fennel, laurel, nutmeg and star anise.

Although many of these essential oils are safe to use on healthy persons, people with cancers of any kind should take care not to use them. They could cause adverse affects, depending on the type of cancer. Remember, it's always better safe than sorry!

Using Essential Oils with Cancer - Essential Oils to Avoid with Estrogen Dependant Cancers

When you have estrogen dependant cancer, there are even more essential oils you should avoid. These essential oils include citronella, eucalyptus, lemon grass, verbena and the essential oils listed above for general cancers.

Using Essential Oils with Cancer - Essential Oils to Avoid with Skin Cancers

When you have skin cancer, there are still more essential oils that shouldn't be used at all. These oils include bergamot and all sun sensitizing oils. Sun sensitizing essential oils will cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight, which of course you don't want with skin cancer. These essential oils also cause sunburn and skin damage to occur much more rapidly when applied to the skin.

Essential oils that may cause sun sensitivity include angelica, dill, lemon verbena, orange and mandarin. There are other essential oils that may cause sun sensitivity but only when they are cold pressed. These cold-pressed phototoxic oils include bitter orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime and tangerine.

Using Essential Oils with Cancer - Tips for Use

When using essential oils with cancer, keep any massage with essential oils light. Make sure to avoid deep massage on the muscles and near the lymph glands. Massage can be very beneficial to cancer patients but follow these guidelines with using essential oils.

Another tip to keep in mind when using essential oils for massage purposes with cancer is to avoid any area that is irritated or that have skin cancers of any kind. Stay away from any abnormal skin and/or tissue when performing massage with essential oils.

If you follow these tips and avoid the oils listed above, you will be able to safely benefit from the healing properties of essential oils and aromatherapy, even with cancer.