Frankincense (or olibanum) is a gum resin that is air-dried and comes from the frankincense tree. It is used both as incense and for therapeutic purposes. The smoke that is produced when it is burned is also called frankincense.
Occurrence and cultivation of frankincense
The resin of frankincense contains a substance that has a very good effect on various chronic inflammations. This substance is called boswellic acid. Frankincense is obtained from the frankincense tree. The tree grows to a height of about four to six meters and only thrives on very dry, poor soils, which must have a certain mineral content. The main areas of cultivation are the hinterland of the coast of East Africa, the south of Arabia and India. The tree contains a milky liquid which is dried in the air and from which the so-called frankincense resin is produced. The production of frankincense takes place from the end of March to the beginning of April. The trees are cut at the branches, and the quality of the resin is initially inferior and then improves over the weeks. Through the cutting, the resin comes out, is dried in the air and subsequently harvested as so-called resin tears. The yield depends on the size, age or condition of the tree in question and amounts to about three to ten kilograms. Frankincense consists of resins, essential oils, proteins and mucilage and was already used in ancient Egypt for various cults. For example, it was used during mummification as a disinfecting healing and incense. When it burns up, it produces an aromatic smoke that is still used today in various religions. In ancient times, frankincense was a very highly priced commodity, traded on the Frankincense Route. There are more than ten different species of frankincense found around the world, the best known being Boswellia serrata, which is native to northern or central India.
Effect and application
The Egyptians used frankincense for wound treatment and ointments. Mention of frankincense was already in the oldest Egyptian writing, the papyrus Ebers. Here, crushed frankincense with honey was described as a remedy, a recipe that has survived in Egypt to this day. Hippocrates used the remedy for respiratory diseases and digestive problems. In East Africa, frankincense is used to combat diseases such as schistosomiasis, syphilis and stomach disorders. For more than 5,000 years, Indian Ayurvedic medicine has also used the plant for joint and muscle complaints, rheumatic diseases, ischalgia and arthritis. It is also applied externally as an ointment for ulcers, glandular swellings and bone fractures. Internally, frankincense is also used in Ayurvedic naturopathy for hemorrhoids and inflammation of the mouth. In classical naturopathy, frankincense is used to relieve rheumatic complaints. In addition, it has been proven that frankincense helps with chronic diseases such as chronic polyarthritis, but also the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and neurodermatitis can be alleviated by frankincense preparations. The resin of frankincense contains a substance that has a very good effect on various chronic inflammations. This substance is called boswellic acid and it has the ability to block leukotriene synthesis, which reduces inflammation. In the body, inflammation is caused by the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase. This enzyme is used to produce leukotrienes, endogenous metabolites that maintain chronic inflammation. In inflammatory diseases, leukotriene production in the body is therefore always increased. However, if leukotriene production can be stopped, inflammation will decrease. This is precisely the function performed by boswellic acids: they inactivate the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase so that leukotrienes are no longer produced. Boswellic acids have fewer side effects than, for example, anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin or diclofenac. Elevated leukotriene levels are found, for example, in the following diseases: pulmonary fibrosis and asthma, allergy-related rhinitis, and allergy-related conjunctivitis. Gout, hives, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease are also found among them, as well as liver cirrhosis and nicotine addiction.Furthermore, frankincense is said to show its effect on brain tumors, as the boswellic acids are able to push back water accumulations that are formed around the tumor. This allows for better surgical treatment. In addition, frankincense has a balancing effect and can support the body in stressful situations. Since sesquiterpenes are also found in the remedy, frankincense influences the limbic system. It acts against depression and can stimulate the immune system.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
Frankincense preparations are used in tablet form or as powdered frankincense resin. So far, only one drug, called H15, is available, but it must be imported from India after a doctor’s prescription. For chronic complaints, a dose of 3 x 800mg per day is recommended at the beginning of a therapy, if the complaints are very severe. Otherwise a dose of 3 x 400mg dry extract daily is sufficient. However, incense tablets only take effect after about four weeks and are therefore not acutely analgesic, which means that accompanying medication is recommended. By taking the tablets, joint swelling decreases, the general condition or morning stiffness improves, and inflammation levels decrease. Side effects may include skin rashes and itching as well as gastrointestinal complaints, but these disappear in the course of treatment. Homeopathic frankincense drops or a frankincense balm can also help with venous disorders, as the boswellic acids prevent water retention and pain. Externally, frankincense can also be used in the form of compresses or ointments; for internal treatment, capsules or distillates are available in addition to tablets.
