Information About The Herb Frankincense

Botanical Name: Boswellia carterii, Boswellia thurifera

Plant Family: Burseraceae

Common Names: Olibanum

Origin: Arabia, Somalia

History: Frankincense was used in religious ceremonies by ancient Persia, Babylon and Assyria for:

• embalming
• fumigation
• funeral rites  
• worship

It was used by the Romans for state occasions and domestic purposes as well as religious rites.

Pliny mentions it as 'an antidote to hemlock' and the herbalist Avicenna recommended it for:

• affections of the breasts
• dysentery
• fevers
• tumors
• ulcers of the head and ears
• vomiting

Tradition: 

• Used as incense in religious ceremonies

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Plant Constituents

Contains:  Resins (65%) composing:

• alibanoresin
• boswellic acid

as well as:

• bassorin
• plant residue
• volatile oil
• water soluble gum

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Usage

Medicinal Parts Used: Gum resin

Frankincense is used for:

Bacterial Conditions

• gonorrhea
• leprosy (China)

Gastrointestinal Conditions

• dysentery
• fevers
• ulcers
• vomiting

Other

• tumors

Externally it has been used as an inhalant to relieve:

• bronchitis
• laryngitis

and as a local application for:

• boils
• carbuncles
• gangrenous sores

Other Uses:

• incense
• kohl (black eye powder used by Middle Eastern and Indian women as a cosmetic)
• soap and perfume

Action:

• astringent [a binding agent that contracts organic tissue, reducing secretions or discharges of mucous and fluid from the body]
• sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
• stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy]
• tonic [an agent that tones, strengthens and invigorates organs or the entire organism giving a feeling of well-being]

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Precautions

Drug Interactions:

Do not use Frankincense without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:

• None indicated

Products

Global Herbal Supplies has Frankincense available in the following forms:

• Frankincense Essential Oil

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Research

Information given by our website  is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.

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D: Damiana  ||  Dandelion  ||  Devil's claw  ||  Dill  ||  Dong quai  ||  Dragon blood  ||

E: Echinacea  ||  Elder tree ||  Elecampane  ||  Ephedra  ||  Eucalyptus  ||  Evening primrose  ||  Eyebright  ||

F: False unicorn  ||  Fennel ||  Fenugreek  ||  Feverfew  ||  Flax  ||  Frankincense  ||

G: Garlic  ||  Gentian  ||  Ginger  ||  Ginkgo biloba  ||  Ginseng american  ||  Ginseng korean  ||  Ginseng siberian  ||  Ginseng tienchi  ||  Goat's rue || Goldenrod ||  Goldenseal   ||  Gotu kola  ||  Gravel root  ||  Green tea  ||  Guaiacum resin  || Gymnema  ||

H: Hawthorn  ||  Hemidesmus indicus ||  Hops  ||  Horehound white  ||  Horseradish  ||  Horsetail  ||  Hyssop  ||

I-J-K-L: ||  Inula || Juniper ||  Kava kava || Lavender  ||  Lemon balm ||  Licorice  ||

M-N-O: Marshmallow  ||  Meadowsweet ||  Mistletoe  ||  Mugwort  ||  Myrrh  || Neem  ||  Nettles || Oats  ||  Olive tree ||

P-Q: Paeonia lactiflora  ||  Passionflower  ||  Pau_D Arco  ||  Peppermint  ||  Phyllanthus amarus  ||  Picrorhiza kurroa  ||  Plantain  ||  Polygala tenuifolia  ||  Polygonum multiflorum ||  Queens delight ||

R: Raspberry leaves  ||  Red clover  ||  Rehmannia glutinosa  ||  Rheum palmatum  ||  Ribwort  ||  Rosehips  ||  Rosemary  ||  Rue  ||

S: Sage  ||  Salvia militiorrhiza  ||  Sarsaparilla  ||  Saw palmetto  ||  Senna ||  Shepherd's purse  ||  Skullcap  ||  Slippery elm  ||  Squaw vine ||  St john's wort  ||  St mary's thistle ||

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W: Walnut  ||  Wild cherry  ||  Wild yam  ||  Willow bark  ||  Willow herb  ||  Witch hazel  ||  Withania  ||  Wormwood  ||

Y-Z: Yarrow  ||  Yellow dock || Zizyphus ||