What Is Frankincense And What Has It Been Used For?
Frankincense would relieve arthritis symptoms, could control asthma, and its application is being studied in some types of cancer. Find out what it is, how it is used, its benefits and possible adverse effects.
Because of its woody and spicy scent, frankincense is used as incense, food flavoring, and fragrance for perfumes, soaps, and lotions. It is known to be easy to inhale, plus it can be absorbed through the skin.
Frankincense is also considered an Ayurvedic treatment. For hundreds of years, traditional Indian medicine has used it to relieve arthritis pain, improve digestion, and decrease asthma symptoms. For this reason, it can be found in presentations as tea, oil, and supplements. We explain everything you need to know.
What is frankincense?
Frankincense is a resin or organic secretion that is obtained from making cuts in the trunk of Boswellia sacra or frankincense tree. This plant is characterized by having deciduous leaves, a height that ranges between 2 to 8 meters and growing in northeast Africa and the south of the Arabian peninsula.
Similarly, the resin is used as incense, flavoring, and medicine. In the latter case, it is used to treat pain, reduce inflammation and improve wound healing, among others.
What benefits are attributed to it?
The active principles present in the frankincense would confer a series of benefits for human health. Let’s see in detail those that have been certified by science.
1. Could reduce arthritis symptoms
The anti-inflammatory properties of frankincense are linked to a decrease in swelling caused by osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. According to a study published in Postępy Higieny i Medycyny Doświadczalnej , this is because it interferes with the release of leukotrienes, a group of molecules known to cause inflammation.
It is also a source of terpenes and boswellic acids, compounds known for their anti-inflammatory effects. A test-tube and animal study showed that the effectiveness of these acids is compared to that of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but with fewer side effects.
Human research, meanwhile, proposes that frankincense extract is capable of reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. A 2018 review stated that it is better than placebo when it comes to relieving pain and improving mobility.
Another study found that taking 1 gram of frankincense extract daily for 8 weeks can decrease swelling and pain, as well as increase joint mobility and strength. However, more research is still required.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy