Frankincense, also called olibanum, is comprised of the resin of the Boswellia tree. This tree usually grows in the dry, mountainous locations of India, Africa, and the center East.
Frankincense Essential Oil includes a woody, spicy scent and might be inhaled, absorbed through the pores and skin, or taken as being a health supplement.
Utilized in conventional Ayurvedic drugs, frankincense seems to supply sure wellness Gains, from improved arthritis and digestion to lowered bronchial asthma and better oral health. It could even support battle particular varieties of most cancers.
Listed below are 5 science-backed benefits of frankincense.
1. May well decrease arthritis
Frankincense has anti-inflammatory outcomes that may enable decrease joint inflammation a result of arthritis.
Scientists feel that frankincense can prevent the discharge of leukotrienes, which are compounds that could cause inflammation
Terpenes, which include boswellic acid, appear to be the strongest anti-inflammatory compounds in frankincense
In one 2014 review, both of those oral and topical boswellic acid lessened cartilage reduction and joint lining inflammation in osteoarthritis in mice
In individuals, frankincense extract may well help minimize signs of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
In a single 2018 review, frankincense was constantly more practical than the usual placebo at decreasing osteoarthritis suffering and strengthening mobility
Nonetheless, the evaluation noted that the caliber of most research was lower plus more investigation is necessary.
Within a subsequent review, contributors took 169.33 mg of boswellia extract 2 times daily for 120 times. Outcomes indicated which the dietary supplement minimized inflammation, joint suffering, and stiffness in delicate to moderate knee osteoarthritis, with no critical Unwanted side effects.
An additional analyze discovered that oliban oil, A further title for frankincense, lowered osteoarthritis ache when placed on the pores and skin for six months. Nonetheless, members’ power to do day-to-day routines or get involved in sports didn’t clearly show major improvements.
Combos of frankincense with other health supplements may be productive.
A 2018 study discovered that 350 mg curcuminoid and one hundred fifty mg boswellic acid complement taken three instances on a daily basis for 12 months was linked to diminished osteoarthritis discomfort. The mix was more effective than curcumin By itself or simply a placebo.
Equally, using a combination of five g of methylsulfonylmethane and 7.two mg of boswellic acids every day for 60 days was more effective at strengthening suffering and function than getting glucosamine sulfate, a normal nutritional supplement for osteoarthritis.
For rheumatoid arthritis, scientists induced arthritis in rats then taken care of them with 180 mg/kg of boswellia extract. They uncovered that frankincense minimized click here inflammation but wasn’t as powerful as common medications.
Over-all, more study is necessary, specially for rheumatoid arthritis.
two. May well improve gut function
Frankincense’s anti-inflammatory Qualities may additionally assist your gut perform thoroughly.
A single 2017 review uncovered that frankincense, together with other herbal medicines, lessened abdominal pain, bloating, and also involved depression and panic in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.
A further analyze also indicated that boswellia 250 mg tablets taken day by day for 6 months improved indicators in those with IBS .
This resin appears significantly efficient at decreasing indicators of ulcerative colitis, on the list of most important inflammatory intestine situations.
A research discovered that boswellia extract taken every day for four months enhanced symptoms in individuals with mild ulcerative colitis in remission.
Boswellia extract also had anti-inflammatory and antioxidant consequences in rats with colitis.
Having said that, most reports were smaller or not performed in folks. Hence, a lot more investigate is necessary just before solid conclusions may be designed.
three. Enhances asthma
Classic medication has applied frankincense to deal with bronchitis and asthma for hundreds of years.
Exploration indicates that its compounds may possibly protect against the production of leukotrienes, which induce the bronchial muscles to constrict in asthma.
Frankincense could also impact Th2 cytokines, which might cause inflammation and mucus overproduction in those with bronchial asthma.
In one smaller study, people who took a day by day nutritional supplement of five hundred mg boswellia extract As well as their conventional bronchial asthma remedy have been able to just take less inhalations of their typical prescription drugs in the four-7 days review.
Moreover, when researchers gave men and women two hundred mg of a nutritional supplement made from frankincense as well as the South Asian fruit bael (Aegle marmelos), they observed that the complement was more practical than a placebo at lessening asthma signs.
In An additional review, asthma symptoms in mice improved with boswellic acid, a part of frankincense resin
4. Maintains oral health and fitness
Frankincense may perhaps assist increase oral hygiene and prevent gum condition.
The boswellic acids it provides appear to get powerful antibacterial Qualities, which can enable protect against and take care of oral infections.
In one test-tube study, frankincense extract was successful in opposition to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a microorganisms that triggers intense gum illness.
In another incredibly modest examine, participants chewed gum that contains frankincense for 5 hours, with saliva samples indicating minimized quantities of microbes Each and every hour.
The authors prompt that frankincense may reduce resources of infection inside the mouth.
Having said that, more study is needed around the effect of frankincense on oral health.
5. Might have anticancer Attributes
Experiments demonstrate that frankincense might have anticancer outcomes.
Test-tube scientific tests recommend that the boswellic acids it has may protect against most cancers cells from spreading.
A investigate assessment notes that boswellic acids may protect against the formation of DNA in cancerous cells, which could assist Restrict cancer development.
Up to now, test-tube research suggest that frankincense may perhaps battle breast, prostate, pancreatic, pores and skin, and colon cancer cells.
It may also assistance lower Unwanted side effects of cancer procedure.
In a single research of men and women being taken care of for brain tumors, 4,500 mg of boswellic acid extract taken every single day served reduce Mind edema — an accumulation of fluid inside the brain — whilst also lowering participants’ standard medication dose.
However, much more investigate in individuals is required.