Frankincense the all rounder

I love using Frankincense and it has become a staple for my skincare routine. I also add a few drops to my water bottle as doTERRA oils are of such good quality that some can be consumed internally.  Frankincense or olibanum, which is the resin of the Boswellia tree, had been an important trade material for the civilisations located in Middle Eastern countries as well as North Africa. In the modern world and thanks to a constant flow of raw materials and goods, Frankincense is available in the European market. Due to its known therapeutic properties, the plant is of interest both to doctors and to nutritionists. Traditionally, the oleo-gum resin of some Boswellia species such as Boswellia serrata and Boswellia carterii has been used in many countries for the treatment of rheumatic and other inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Additionally, the essential oils of Frankincense have been used as antiseptic agents in a mouth wash as well as in the treatment of coughs and asthma. Much research has reported on the anti- inflammatory, immune- enhancing, anti-carcinogenic, antimicrobial, anti- viral and also anti-diabetic properties of several Boswellia species (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 ,7) .

Frankincense has immune-enhancing properties and these may attack bad bacteria, viruses and possibly cancer cells. Recently a study reported that Frankincense promoted cancer cell death in bladder cells (8). These same researchers reported that Frankincense promotes immunity with a 90% lymphocyte transformation (9). Also, Frankincense has known antiseptic qualities which may help in dental hygiene, and reduce oral inflammation (10).

This 'super' oil can inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines in vitro (meaning in a petri dish in a science lab). These cytokines are present in chronic inflammation and chronic inflammation is the key player conditions associated with conditions such as arthritis, bowel disorders like IBS, asthma, and major diseases such as Heart Disease, Cancer, Diabetes and more (11, 12).

In 2008 a study reported that Frankincense attenuates inflammatory cytokines that are implicated in Atherosclerosis, which is the main cause of coronary heart disease. It is therefore likely that Frankincense may represent an alternative for pharmacological medicine treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis (13), although more studies are needed to confirm this.

In addition there is research to suggest that Frankincense can be used to improve memory and learning functions. In traditional medicine, Frankincense is suggested to improve learning and memory, and it has been used in the elderly for enhancement of memory and in pregnant women to increase the memory and intelligence of their offspring. A study conducted in 2014 reported that there is a significant increase in the power of learning at post-learning stage, short-term memory, and long-term memory in rats whose mothers received aqueous extract of Frankincense orally during pregnancy (14) .

Throughout history essential oils have been used as medicine with positive results. It would seem from results in modern day research that these oils have a pharmacological effect on inflammation, which is a key in most chronic inflammatory disease states observed today. Perhaps an approach may be to undertake more studies on oils such as Frankincense, and find new, complementary, natural medicine to help control, cure, or prevent some kinds of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, as well as cancer and heart disease.

Here is a link to a recent article on the benefits of Frankincense