Herbs

Frankincense, Medicinal Giant for Alternative Medicine Today

Who has heard of the Boswellia tree? If I were to tell you that this tree provides one of the most historically significant health and wellness constituents, would you believe me? The fact is that it does. Frankincense comes from the Boswellia tree. The botanical name of the tree is Boswellia Serrata. Some of the common names for the tree are; Indian Olibanum Tree, Olibanum, Luban and Gond.
Boswellia Tree is a medium sized tree with ash colored papery bark it looks more like a giant shrub with knurled branches. The leaves look like the leaves from a Quaking Aspen. Occasionally the tree has little white blossoms. When the Boswellia tree is injured it excretes an oleo-gum-resin known as Salai Guggal or Indian Frankincense.
Frankincense is a resin that or sap that has been harvested from the trees for centuries. To harvest frankincense one must simply cut the tree bark with a knife. The tree excretes a milky white sap that will over time harden into an orange-brown gum known as frankincense.
To say that frankincense has a broad history is an under-statement. Archeologists have recovered evidence that the Egyptians used frankincense as an antiseptic incense to cleanse the room of someone who is ill of infectious airborne germs and viruses. It was also used as a gum to rejuvenate the skin on faces of royalty. Frankincense has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula and in North Africa for more than 5000 years. A mural depicting sacks of frankincense being traded is etched on the walls of the temple of ancient the Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut, who died in 1458 BC. The Egyptians also ground the charred resin into a powder called kohl. Kohl was used to make the distinctive black eyeliner seen on so many figures in Egyptian art. Frankincense was used in religious ceremonies. In the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament, it was an ingredient for incense, according to the book of Matthew; gold, frankincense, and myrrh were among the gifts to Jesus from the wise men generally thought to be shepherds from out of the East. The aroma of frankincense is said to represent life and several religious faiths have often used frankincense mixed with oils to anoint newborn infants and individuals considered to be moving into a new phase in their spiritual lives.
Medicinally frankincense has been used to aid digestion and assist with numerous skin issues. Frankincense can be edible if it is uncontaminated with black or dark brown impurities. For hundreds of years the Indian culture uses frankincense in Ayurvedic medicine. Frankincense is referred to as dhoop and is used for treating arthritis, healing wounds and strengthening the female hormone system. The Indians also burn frankincense to purify the atmosphere of undesirable germs. Interestinly enough burning frankincense wards off mosquitoes and actually aids in avoiding disease like West Nile disease, malaria and Dengue Fever.
So are there any facts to back historical claims made by those ancient people who so greatly valued frankincense? The Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have determined that frankincense smoke is a psychoactive drug that relieves depression and anxiety in mice. The researchers found that the chemical compound incensole acetate is responsible for the effects. In a different study, an enriched extract of frankincense was used in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of patients with osteoarthritis. Patients receiving the extract showed significant improvement in their arthritis in as little as seven days. The compound caused no major adverse effects and, according to the study authors, is safe for human consumption and long-term use. Other researchers continue to investigate the potential medical uses for frankincense essential oil. In fact, some European hospitals are researching the potential therapeutic benefits of frankincense. Some of the issues that frankincense seems to have an effect with are; as an anti-catarrhal. This is the prevention or intervention of the swelling of certain mucous membranes mostly in the respiratory system. Post surgery topical healing. There are indicators that some of the constituents are effective in preventing tumors. Other studies involve boosting the immune system and mental stimulation.
It is easy to see why frankincense was valued over gold, silver and other commodities. There were heavily traveled trading routes through what we now know as Iraq, Iran, Egypt and Northern Africa established to trade frankincense.
It is probable that the research being done on frankincense right now will reveal many more wonderful things. Frankincense truly lives up the reputation that its five thousand year history gives it.
Have a happy, healthy day!
KParr

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