Frankincense is a resin from the Boswellia tree that has many traditional medicinal uses. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties and can be used to treat conditions like ulcers, cysts, asthma, skin diseases, and mental health issues like anxiety and stress. The document provides details on the botanical information, constituents, and traditional uses of frankincense as an herbal medicine.

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Alternative medicine: Frankincense
Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:52:09
By Patricia Khashayar, MD., Press TV, Tehran
Frankincense is a good treatment for ulcers, goiter, cystic breast, piles, asthma, bronchitis,
jaundice, syphilis and skin diseases.
Botanical: Boswellia Thurifera
Family: N.O. Burseraceae
Synonym: Olibanum, Salai guggal, Boswellia serrata
Habitat:
Frankincense is indigenous to Arabia, Somaliland and the Horn of Africa.
Description:
Frankincense is an aromatic resinous, evergreen tree with papery bark.
Frankincense resin begins as a milky-white sticky liquid that flows from the trunk. Finer resins
are opaque white, semi-translucent white with shades of lemon or light amber.
Part Used Medicinally:
The gum resin.
Constituents:
Frankincense contains resins, triterpenes and mucilage and its essential oil compounds
include a-pinene, phellandrene, 1-octylacetate, monoterpenes, diterpenes and pentacyclic
triterpenoids.
Medicinal Uses:
Frankincense has antiseptic, astringent, anti inflammatory, carminative, digestive, diuretic,
analgesic, sedative, expectorant, decongestant and tonic properties.
It is effective in treating bronchial and urinary infections.
Frankincense alleviates menstrual cramps and is an effective treatment for post natal
depression.
Its topical use helps treat rheumatic arthritis and lower back pain.
Frankincense has a rejuvenating effect on the skin and is commonly used in anti-wrinkle skin
care creams and lotions.
It helps treat wounds, sores, ulcers, carbuncles, hemorrhoids and inflammations.
As a mouthwash, it has soothing effects on the gums, mouth and throat.
Frankincense's essential oil can slows down and deepens breathing.
It has a calming effect on the mind, and helps restore energy. It is also beneficial in
combating anxiety and stress.
Frankincense is used in perfumery and aromatherapy.
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It also has cholesterol and triglyceride lowering effects. Frankincense prevents
atherosclerosis, and protects the liver against bacterial endotoxins.
Frankincense is good for the memory and it is believed pregnant women who use the herb
have smarter children.
It is useful in treating fevers, diaphoresis, convulsions, dysentery, asthma, coughing, syphilis,
chronic laryngitis and jaundice.
Frankincense gum has pain-relieving qualities, and in high doses can lower blood pressure,
and reduce heart rates.
The inhalation of steam laden with the volatile portion of the herb is said to relieve bronchitis
and laryngitis.
A combination of Frankincense and Myrrh has additional therapeutic effects.
Caution
No drug interaction has been reported.
PKH/HGH
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http://www.presstv.com/pop/print.aspx?id=40745 3/17/2008