Did you know that quite a number of scientific studies have been done to determine whether essential oils can support and improve human health? I was surprised to learn this myself and even more surprised by the results!

Humans around the globe have been using plants for medicinal and other purposes from time immemorial. However efforts to extract the essential “oils” from plants is a practice believed to have begun in ancient Egypt, perhaps as early as 5000 years ago!

So what exactly are essential oils?

Essential oils are aromatic substances present in specialized cells or glands of certain plants. They are used by the plant to protect themselves from predators, pests and disease and to attract pollinators; so you could describe them as part of the plant’s immune system and love life! Furthermore, essential oils really aren’t oils at all because they contain no fatty acids. They contain terpenes and are considered volatile or ethereal ‘oils’ - highly concentrated and molecularly complex.

Recently the scientific community has become curious about the potential essential oils possess for boosting our immune systems, fighting pathogens, and reducing the risk cancer. A number of studies have been done and I’m happy to say that essential oils are coming up smelling like roses, or more precisely like lemons, cloves, cinnamon, oranges, frankincense and myrrh…well you get the point!

In one study, oregano, lavender, lemon, myrtle, frankincense and thyme oils were tested for their effectiveness in combatting bacterial pathogens commonly involved in human infections, including those highly resistant to antibiotics such as MRSA. While they were all effective, oregano oil was the real heavyweight in this study, in some cases even more effective than alcohol.

“Oregano oil presented up to 64 times lower MICs/MBCs than ethylic alcohol, if considered as standard, on all bacteria.”

Another study looked at the anti-inflammatory effects of a blend of cinnamon bark, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary and orange essential oils. The results showed that this blend significantly reduced chronic inflammation thereby strengthening the immune system and reducing the risk of cancer.

For thousands of years, frankincense and myrrh have been used synergistically and individually. Both are gummy sap that oozes from the boswellia tree (frankincense) and camiphora tree (myrrh). The sap is left to dry and the resulting resin is then scraped off into little beads that are ground into incense, steam distilled to create an essential oil, or used in other ways. Both trees are native to the Arabian Peninsula and northeast Africa.

Ancient Egyptians used frankincense and myrrh in the treatment of wounds and skin sores and myrrh in their embalming practices and facial masks. From ancient Sumeria to the present, myrrh has been used to treat infected teeth and gums. The Greek physician Hippocrates, who highly influenced medicine in fourth and third centuries B.C., wrote extensively about the value and uses of myrrh. In the 11th century, a Persian physician and philosopher used frankincense to treat urinary tract infections. The antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of these two resins was clearly well known in ancient times and they were highly valued. Pliny the Elder, ancient Roman botanist and historian, recommended frankincense as an antidote for hemlock poisoning and suggested that it had made the southern Arabians the richest people on earth. Frankincense and myrrh might in fact have been more valuable than gold, these three riches making up the gifts presented to the baby Jesus in the New Testament myth.

Frankincense and myrrh have also been used in spiritual and religious ceremonies from time immemorial. The Babylonians, Assyrians, Hebrews and Catholics all burned the fragrant resins as part of their religious ceremonies, and in NYC I bought belts made from stringing resin beads which I wore over my lapa during west African dance classes where the heat and sweat released their distinctive aromas contributing to the spiritual intentions of the dance and perhaps to a reduction in airborne pathogens! Even today you can smell frankincense and myrrh wafting through churches when the priest swings the thurible that houses the aromatic incense.

Inspired by all these ancient texts and practices, a group of scientists decided to study the antimicrobial effects of frankincense and myrrh in combination. The study concluded that:

“Frankincense and myrrh essential oils have been used in combination since 1500 bc; however, no antimicrobial investigations have been undertaken to confirm their effect in combination. This study validates the enhanced efficacy when used in combination against a selection of pathogens.”

These results are only a few examples of recent studies that support what the ancients knew through practice, trial and error, and perhaps through meditation and communing with nature.

Modern medicine certainly has its strengths and has helped countless people in a myriad of ways. The discovery and development of antibiotics in particular was an enormous game-changer. However humans leaned into them too heavily for too long and their effectiveness has dwindled as pathogens learned to outsmart them. We may be nearing the end of a golden age of antibiotics. So it is incumbent upon us as individuals to strengthen our immune systems if we want to live long healthy lives. Personally I can attest to the value of using essential oils to help ward off viruses, recover faster when I do get sick, help my digestion, help me sleep, and improve my mood. Enjoying essential oils everyday in my skincare regime has become, well, essential to me!

So consider incorporating essential oils into your life and when you do you’ll know that you’re in good company with ancient physicians and philosophers as well as modern scientists!

REFERENCES:

The Science of Essential Oils