Frankincense Essential Oil as a Supportive Therapy for Cancer-Related Fatigue: A Case Study

Holist Nurs Pract. 2018 May/Jun;32(3):140-142. doi: 10.1097/HNP.0000000000000261.

Abstract

Fatigue experienced by patients diagnosed with cancer can be debilitating and can be challenging to manage. The use of supportive therapies such as essential oils is gaining popularity among patients diagnosed with cancer. This article describes one patient's experience using frankincense (Boswellia carterii) essential oil to help in the management of her fatigue. The topical application of the frankincense helped to take her fatigue from being barely able to lift her head to being able to do some basic activities of daily living.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Fatigue / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Frankincense / pharmacology
  • Frankincense / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology
  • Oils, Volatile / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Oils, Volatile
  • Frankincense