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Linalool has been the subject of several studies investigating its anxiolytic (anti-stress) effects. Breathing of Linalool, extracted from pure essential oils, leads to lowered aggressive behavior, lessens stress response, and improves sleep.

Now, in a study just released in the Journal of Chemico-biological Interactions, researchers at the American University of Beirut studied a single component found in a great many therapeutic grade essential oils: Linalool. This naturally made plant chemical adds the sweet smell to oils used in aromatherapy; Lavender is perhaps the most popular linalool-containing oil, though it is found in many, many species of plants. One of the chemotypes of Thyme essential oil is called c.t. (for ‘chemotype) linalool, meaning this particular variety of thyme has a high percentage of the linalool molecule.Linalool Appears to Kill Cancer Cells at a Very Low Concentration

In this study, linalool extracted from steam distilled Coriander oil was found to decrease the viability of the HepG2 cell line, cells of liver cancer used throughout the world for cancer research. The essential oil from Coriander seed was chosen as the researchers believed them to have healthful properties. Linalool inhibited these liver cancer cells from replicating. A concentration of 0.4 micromole inhibited 50% of the cells from replicating, a concentration of 2 micromol inhibited 100% of the cells from replicating, thereby destroying the cancer.

Now we don’t claim to be high-tech researchers Ananda but we did take a bit of chemistry in college. It appears this is an exceptionally small amount of linalool — 1 mole of Linalool is 154 grams. This appears to be .000308 grams of linalool per liter of solution the cell line was bathed in.

Given that most Lavender species produce an essential oil containing between 30 and 40% linalool, this is astounding. 25 drops of Lavender essential oil delivers in somewhere around .3 grams of linalool. The oil is quickly absorbed through the skin, and safe to injest in small amounts.

“A 50% and 100% decrease in the viability of HepG2 was obtained at 0.4muM and 2muM linalool (note: these are very small amounts of linalool in the solution), respectively…In addition, a time-dependent decrease in glutathione (GSH) level and in the reduction of nitroblue tetrazolium was obtained, indicating increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In addition linalool increased ROS generation and decreased GSH level…Pretreatment with the antioxidants: N-acetyl cysteine (2mM), Trolox (100muM) and different flavonoids (50muM) was partially protective against the linalool-induced cell death…We hereby report a decrease in cell viability of HepG2 cells by linalool and identify the mitochondria as one possible target for its site of action, inhibiting complexes I and II and decreasing ATP.”

Relevant Information

• Lavender, part 1: Species Overview & Top Varieties « The Sammis Greenhouse Herb Reference
• How To Find The Real Liver Cancer | Essential Oils
• Pure Home Remedies For Insomnia That Are Incredibly Useful | Essential Oils
• Your Beauty and Fitness » Blog Archive » Introspecting Liver Cancer
• YIVV » Corigroup – Metastatic Liver Cancer

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