Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is made from the resin of the Boswellia tree. This tree commonly grows within the dry, mountainous areas of India, Africa, and the center East.
Frankincense Essential Oil provides a woody, spicy smell and may be inhaled, absorbed throughout the pores and skin, or taken to be a complement.
Utilized in common Ayurvedic medication, frankincense seems to supply specified overall health Positive aspects, from improved arthritis and digestion to lessened bronchial asthma and greater oral health and fitness. It might even help battle sure sorts of most cancers.
Listed here are five science-backed advantages of frankincense.
one. Could minimize arthritis
Frankincense has anti-inflammatory consequences that may assistance cut down joint inflammation because of arthritis.
Scientists feel that frankincense can protect against the release of leukotrienes, which are compounds that can result in inflammation
Terpenes, together with boswellic acid, seem like the strongest anti-inflammatory compounds in frankincense
In a single 2014 research, equally oral and topical boswellic acid lowered cartilage reduction and joint lining inflammation in osteoarthritis in mice
In humans, frankincense extract may well assist decrease symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
In a single 2018 assessment, frankincense was constantly more practical than a placebo at reducing osteoarthritis agony and strengthening mobility
On the other hand, the assessment noted that the quality of most reports was reduced and a lot more investigate is required.
In the subsequent study, contributors took 169.33 mg of boswellia extract twice each day for a hundred and twenty days. Outcomes indicated that the dietary supplement lessened inflammation, joint soreness, and stiffness in delicate to average knee osteoarthritis, without severe side effects.
Yet another research discovered that oliban oil, An additional title for frankincense, diminished osteoarthritis discomfort when placed on the skin for 6 months. Even so, contributors’ ability to do everyday routines or get involved in athletics didn’t display significant enhancements.
Combinations of frankincense with other dietary supplements could also be successful.
A 2018 analyze found that 350 mg curcuminoid and a hundred and fifty mg boswellic acid nutritional supplement taken 3 times per day for 12 months was linked to reduced osteoarthritis ache. The combination was simpler than curcumin on its own or maybe a placebo.
In the same way, having a combination of 5 g of methylsulfonylmethane and seven.two mg of boswellic acids daily for 60 times was more practical at improving suffering and performance than getting glucosamine sulfate, a normal health supplement for osteoarthritis.
For rheumatoid arthritis, researchers induced arthritis in rats then taken care of them with one hundred eighty mg/kg of boswellia extract. They identified that frankincense lessened inflammation but wasn’t as helpful as normal medications.
Total, extra analysis is necessary, significantly for rheumatoid arthritis.
2. May possibly increase gut perform
Frankincense’s anti-inflammatory Houses can also enable your gut functionality properly.
One particular 2017 analyze located that frankincense, together with other herbal medicines, lowered abdominal pain, bloating, and also involved melancholy and panic in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.
A further research also indicated that boswellia 250 mg tablets taken daily for 6 months improved signs and symptoms in people with IBS .
This resin appears significantly efficient at cutting down symptoms of ulcerative colitis, on the list of principal inflammatory gut problems.
A examine located that boswellia extract taken each day for 4 months enhanced indications in those with moderate ulcerative colitis in remission.
Boswellia extract also had anti-inflammatory and antioxidant consequences in rats with colitis.
On the other hand, most scientific tests were compact or not completed in folks. As a result, a lot more research is needed in advance of powerful conclusions may be created.
3. Improves bronchial asthma
Traditional drugs has applied frankincense to deal with bronchitis and asthma for centuries.
Investigate implies that its compounds could avoid the production of leukotrienes, which lead to the bronchial muscles to constrict in bronchial asthma.
Frankincense can also have an affect on Th2 cytokines, which can lead to inflammation and mucus overproduction in those with bronchial asthma.
In one compact research, individuals that took a day by day complement of five hundred mg boswellia extract Together with their standard bronchial asthma more info cure have been in the position to take less inhalations of their regular remedies during the 4-7 days research.
Additionally, when scientists gave folks 200 mg of the dietary supplement produced from frankincense plus the South Asian fruit bael (Aegle marmelos), they found the health supplement was simpler than the usual placebo at reducing asthma indicators.
In One more examine, asthma signs in mice improved with boswellic acid, a ingredient of frankincense resin
four. Maintains oral health
Frankincense might enable strengthen oral hygiene and prevent gum ailment.
The boswellic acids it offers look to possess strong antibacterial properties, which may aid protect against and take care of oral infections.
In one check-tube review, frankincense extract was productive in opposition to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a microorganisms that triggers aggressive gum condition.
In One more very modest examine, individuals chewed gum containing frankincense for five several hours, with saliva samples indicating diminished quantities of microbes Every hour.
The authors suggested that frankincense may possibly lower sources of an infection from the mouth.
Even so, more investigate is needed over the outcome of frankincense on oral health.
5. Might have anticancer Qualities
Studies show that frankincense could possibly have anticancer consequences.
Check-tube studies advise which the boswellic acids it consists of may well reduce cancer cells from spreading.
A investigation evaluate notes that boswellic acids may additionally reduce the formation of DNA in cancerous cells, which could aid limit cancer expansion.
Thus far, check-tube experiments propose that frankincense might combat breast, prostate, pancreatic, skin, and colon cancer cells.
It could also help lower side effects of most cancers remedy.
In a single research of individuals becoming treated for brain tumors, four,five hundred mg of boswellic acid extract taken each day assisted reduce brain edema — an accumulation of fluid in the Mind — even though also decreasing contributors’ typical medication dose.
Nonetheless, extra analysis in individuals is needed.