Lemongrass as an herb has been used for centuries for its positive health effects. In Ayurvedic medicine, it has been used for relief of menstrual discomfort and nausea. The fresh grass is used in indigenous medicine systems around the world. Recently, the essential oil has been the subject of scientific studies regarding its effects on cancer cells. One of the features of cancer cells is the upset of natural cell death. Lemongrass appears to be effective as a form of chemotherapy, causing cell death to occur as it should: “Our results indicate that the oil has a promising anticancer activity and causes loss in tumor cell viability by activating the apoptotic process”. These studies indicate that Lemongrass essential oil, with its low toxicity, has the potential of being an inexpensive ‘alternative’ treatment in the future.

Several aromatic botanicals have been investigated for their anti-cancer effects, most notably Frankincense, Lemongrass, and the common constituent “linalool”, which adds a sweetness to many essential oil varieties. In two publications released in the Feb 2008 and May 2009 Journal of Chemico-biological interactions, studies were performed at the Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine in Jammu were summarized. The investigations centered around the causes and concentrations required for Lemongrass essential oil to bring about cell death in otherwise flourishing cancer cell lines. Rather unlike classic chemotherapeutic agents, Lemongrass initiated normal cell death by eliminating protection from naturally-occurring free radicals, and a loss of membrane integrity of the mitochondria of these cells. Surrounding normal cells were not affected.

Electron microscopy identified that the cancer cells had lost their normal surface projections, meaning that the cells were no longer viable because they were unable to intereact with their environment. They could no longer receive nutrients or communicate with other cells nearby. Further, the nuclei of the cells exhibited condensation and fragmentation typical of cell death. The amount of Lemongrass needed to inhibit proliferation of the cancer cells was relatively low, with an IC50 of only 30 micrograms per milliliter.

Lemongrass oil overall was effective against twelve types of cancer cells in-vitro, with a rage of effective doses from 4.2 to 79 micrograms per ml depending on the cell line, and two types — solid and ascitic Ehrlich and Sarcoma-180 were also found affected by the the essential oil. Colon and Neuroblastoma cancers were the most susceptable to Lemongrass treatment. The absolute mechanism of induction of cell death is not yet known, though it is considered that essential oils disrupt un-natural cell processes in a manner of ways. In yet another study, Citral, a component of many lemon-scented oils, including Lemongrass, was found to induce apoptosis (natural cell death of cancer cells) in a liver cancer cell line at very low concentrations. This indicates it may not be the lemongrass per se, but can work with other essential oils such as Melissa, Lemon, and Lemon Verbena.

This important factor, notably that more than one chemical of the same essential oil can cause cancer cell death, is extremely interested, pointing out the potential for many essential oils to hold promise as anti-cancer therapies. Linalool, for example, has been shown in a recent study to cause cell death of liver cancer cells at very small concentrations. Linalool is found in a great many oils, most notably Lavender, and any oil which there is even a hint of sweetness. Does this mean other constituents do not have this effect, or do not work in concert with Linalool? Certainly not, and it seems most appropriate not to seperate out what science considers the ‘active ingredient’ — there may certainly be more than one, and without extensive examination, it will be difficult to determine the synergy between all the constituents in these highly complex natural mixtures. It is crucial to recognize the importance of true, authentic essential oils, such as those from aromatherapy essential oils and other manufacturer’s dedicated to the craft, as the foundation of these natural healing compounds. Single chemicals can simply be manufactured in the laboratory, but it is the plant-based complete medicine that can create a harmony within the organ systems and psychology that may in-fact have the greatest healing effect.

As the body of evidence continues to grow, essential oils are finally moving out of the ‘aromatherapy’ realm and into the medical realm. At last count, over four hundred results were returned when searching Pub Med for Essential Oils and Cancer. Almost ten thousand results are available from the U.S. National Library of Medicine in all areas of essential oil use. Embracing essential oils as medicine in the U.S. is a practice that has the potential to save many lives, and is especially warranted now in these times of escalating health care costs and dwindling returns. Have a look at the fine essential oils and great information available at Ananda Aromatherapy for more information on using essential oils as medicine.