Frankincense - The Expansive Healer
Wild & Spiritual Medicine with Over 300 Known Active Ingredients
Frankincense - is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae, it is also known as olibanum.
Binomial name:
Boswellia carterii syn (native to East Africa and China)
Boswellia serrata (native to much of India and the Punjab region that extends into Pakistan)
Boswellia papyrifera (native to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan)
Family:
Burseraceae
Common names:
Boswellie, Olibans, Olibanum, Salai tree
Description:
Boswellia is a tree with papery, peeling bark, sparse clusters of paired leaves and has flowers with white petals with red or yellow centers. It is the source of the oleo-gum-resin frankincense, which besides other uses, has long been valued for its sweet-smelling fumes when burnt.
There are several species and varieties of frankincense trees, each producing a slightly different type of resin.
Not all Frankincenses are born equal; the Boswellic acids found in Boswellia serrata and Boswellia carterii are reported to be particularly effective. At present it is not know if they exist in every species of Frankincense tree.
Frankincense is harvested by tapping (cutting) the bark of the Boswellia tree and allowing its resin (sap) to bleed out and harden. The hardened resins are called tears.
The trees start producing resin when they are about eight to ten years old. Tapping is done two to three times a year with the final taps producing the best tears due to the higher content of their aromatic terpenes. Generally speaking, the more opaque resins are the best quality.
History:
The name ‘frankincense’ is derived from the Old French expression ‘franc encens’, meaning 'true incense'. Frankincense has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula for more than 5000 years. Up until the 1830s, many Europeans mistakenly believed that frankincense was the resin of a species of Juniperus, a conifer.
Frankincense was one of the consecrated incenses described in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud and has numerous mentions in the New Testament. Together with Gold and Myrrh it was one of the three gifts made as an offering to the infant Jesus.
The Greek historian Herodotus was familiar with frankincense, it is also mentioned by Theophrastus and by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia. Southern Arabia was a major exporter of frankincense in antiquity, with some of it being traded as far as China.
Properties:
Traditional natural ‘drugs’ have multi-target and multi-channel characteristics. This can give them more effective therapeutic advantages.
Whilst frankincense and myrrh have been used as incense in religious and cultural ceremonies in the West, since ancient times; they are used mainly for the treatment of chronic diseases in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.
All oleo-gum-resins (solid plant exudations consisting of a mixture of volatile oil, gum, and resin) share anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Of the more than 300 known active ingredients in frankincense, boswellic acids are the most well-studied.
Boswellic acids, which are responsible for the impact of the ingredients of the Boswellia resin, interfere in the process of inflammation.
Dr Oliver Werz of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, in Germany said (in his own research in 2011).
There are theories that most, if not all age-related degenerative conditions are directly associated with inflammation.
Phytochemicals (biologically active compounds found in plants) in frankincense have been proven useful for arthritis, rheumatism, cancer, ulcers, colitis, brain injuries, depression, anti-aging (increasing skin elasticity and reducing wrinkles) and much more.
Frankincense is listed as having the following Properties:
Stimulant: – helps to increase alertness and energy
Anti-inflammatory: – reduces inflammation
Astringent: – encourages skin cells to contract
Antiseptic: – preventing the growth of disease-causing microorganisms
Disinfectant: – something that destroys bacteria
Digestive: – promotes the digestion of food
Diuretic: – increases the excretion of water from bodies
Expectorant: – promotes the secretion of sputum by the air passages
Cicatrisant: – skin-healing, wound healing or cell regenerative
Carminative: – relieving flatulence
Cytophylactic: – stimulates the generation of new cells
Emenagogue: – something that stimulates or increases menstrual flow
Uterine: – supports the health of the uterus
Vulnerary: – of use in the healing of wounds
Pharmacological Activities of Frankincense:
Modern studies have shown that the main chemical constituents isolated from frankincense are pentacyclic triterpenoids, tetracyclic triterpenoids, macrocyclic diterpenoids, and a variety of essential oils.
Pentacyclic triterpenoids are the most characteristic and deeply-studied components in frankincense.
Their representative compounds are β-boswellic acid, acetyl-β-boswellic acid, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA, 3), 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA, 4), α-boswellic acid, and acetyl-α-boswellic acid, which have been identified as the main components and are considered to be the biomarkers of frankincense. (National Library of Medicine - National Centre for Biotechnology Information)
To get the benefits of all of the components found in Frankincense you need to use the whole resin; not just the essential oils. Whilst the oils do have some pharmacological effects they do not contain AKBA, or other Boswellic acids (a claim made by some manufacturers). Any essential oil of Frankincense that makes this claim is misleading and it is designed to market the product, not assist your wellbeing. Triterpenoids, especially AKBA (4) and KBA (3), have significant antitumor activity.
The National Library of Medicine provides a table of The pharmacological effects and mechanisms of frankincense; it identifies the compounds that have the following effects:
It also includes the mechanisms by which they work.
Uses:
Frankincense can be inhaled, ingested or used as an oil, salve or balm.
Inhalation:
Our olfactory system (sense of smell) is the quickest way to the brain. The use of Frankincense as an incense has been around for a very long time (see history). Most religions practice some form of ceremonial burning of incense; whether as an offering to the god or gods, to purify the area, or to create a receptive atmosphere for supplicants.
Studies have shown that oleoresins such as Frankincense contain psychoactive ingredients that affect our brain chemistry; our bodies being able to absorb the medicinal, healing properties through the smoke. This is able to induce feelings of heightened spirituality and well-being. In studies it has been shown to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, and reduce inflammation in the brain.
Inhalation and consumption of Boswellia olibanum reduces the risk of asthma; and has an anti-inflammatory effect in bronchitis and sinusitis.
Oil, Salve or Balm:
Using as an oil, salve or balm can help the skin to increase its elasticity, reducing wrinkles and signs of aging.
In addition to being able to apply directly to the problem (inflamed joints or rubbed on the chest for respiratory relief) many of Frankincenses healing compounds can be absorbed through the skin and are able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
Anecdotal evidence also shows that when rubbed on the chest it quickly relieves the physical pangs of an anxiety or panic attack, lightening the chest, easing the breathing and bringing about a deep feeling of calm.
Contemporary studies have shown that the resin has analgesic, tranquilising and anti-bacterial effects. In addition the Boswellic acids reduce inflammatory conditions in the course of rheumatism by inhibiting leukocyte elastase and degrading glycosaminoglycans; similar results were shown with arthritis.
Cautions:
Just because a substance is ‘natural’ does not mean that you cannot be allergic, or intolerant to it. If you are trying any ‘herbal product’ for the first time, it is recommended that you seek the advice of a medical practitioner first.
Always consult your medical practitioner if you are on any prescription medicines. It is possible that a contraindication could exist.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant, it is not advised to use Frankincense due to it’s Emenagogue properties. It is possible that it could cause miscarriage.
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