Essential oils could counter lung and liver ailments

[gerald]

It appears to be based on some solid testing. It will be interesting to see if additional tests or studies are done


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Essential oils could counter lung and liver ailments caused by air pollution


Certain ingredients in essential oils made from plants such as cloves, anise, fennel and ylang-ylang could serve as a natural treatment of lung and liver conditions caused by air pollution. This is according to Miriana Kfoury of the Unité de Chimie Environnementale et Interactions sur le Vivant, Université du Littoral Côte d'Opale in France and the Lebanese University in Lebanon. She is the lead author of a study in Springer's journal Environmental Chemistry Letters. It is the first of its kind to evaluate the value of using certain essential oil compounds to treat inflammation caused by the fine particles that are typical of hazy, polluted air, and that are known to be carcinogenic.

Plants naturally contain various essential oils that are made up of different compounds. Some of these have been found to have antioxidant value, and to also be able to fight inflammation. A group of organic compounds called phenylpropanoids are found in the essential oils of some plants, and show promise as possible anti-inflammatory substances. Among these are trans-anethole (a flavor component of anise and fennel), estragole (found in basil), eugenol (which occurs in clove bud oil) and isoeugenol (contained in ylang ylang).

Kfoury and her collaborators first collected air pollutant samples containing fine particles in Beirut, Lebanon. In laboratory tests, the samples were then introduced to human cell cultures of normal bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and cancer derived hepatic cells (HepG2). The fine particle matter was found to induce inflammation in the cells - these started to secrete the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 (substances that are secreted during infections and tissue damage). Cytokin levels normally increase when the body's immune system is fighting a specific infection.

Next, the researchers established that the trans-anethole, estragole, eugenol and isoeugenol all have so-called cytotoxicity, which means that they could cause cell death at relatively high concentrations. In this evaluation, they were able to determine the level of cytotoxicity of these oil compounds. This was important in order to establish the maximum dose to be selected in the next step, namely the assessment for anti-inflammatory properties. In the second round of tests, the four compounds were introduced to the combination of cell lines and air pollutants to see whether these could protect liver and lung cells damaged by fine particle air pollutants. It was found that the essential oil compounds tested decrease the levels of the two types of cytokines in the samples. The levels of cytokine IL-6 decreased up to 96 percent, and the levels of cytokine IL-8 by 87 percent.

"The findings provide the first evidence that natural essential oil components counteract the inflammatory effects of particulate matter, such as that contained in polluted air," says Kfoury.

www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-08/s-eoc082316.php

[Suzanne (Suz)]

I use Doterra oils since last August 2015. I was skeptical at first as I have very bad reactions to perfume since diagnosed with COPD 7 years ago. My lungs feel better and I can tolerate all smells so far.

When you order Doterra oils you become an advocate to others - I have not pushed the oils here but if anyone at all is interested in trying a few - I could order them for you and have them delivered somehow - I'd have to speak to my consultant. But I order regularly and even take their Lifelong vitamins filled with herbs and good stuff.

I use Cardamom every day during the week - 4 drops in my tea - it helps with breathing and also a mood calmer - so I'm not as stressed at work.

Message me if you need more info - I have lots! OH and certain of these oils are digestible therefore not filled with any chemicals other than the fruit/plant extract.

You may have to speak to a specialist/doctor before you take these however, I just slowly tested a few as an infuser at the beginning then moved on to other oils - I love them.

[lavishgail]

I just love oils to. I also use a defuse. I like mine it's all different pretty colors when you plug it in. And I get mine from the vitamin store. All natural and pretty cheap now since I already purchased the whole thing. But thanks Suz.