Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Expectorant, Cough suppressant, Immune modulator
Boswellic acid, Essential oils, Terpenoids
This Site is for Educational Use Only: The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. I am not a licensed medical professional. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any medicinal plants, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
One of the three kings brought baby Jesus frankincense as a gift. He knew what he was doing. Gotta keep the kid healthy for the next 32 years so he can die at the right time. Practical gift honestly. Better than gold if you ask me. Why? Keep reading.
Frankincense comes from the resin of the tree, which already makes it one of the more dramatic entries in this database. It's anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antiseptic, and can reduce fever. The anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic applications are where it's getting the most attention right now, and for good reason. A lot of conventional anti-inflammatory medications come with a pretty rough side effect profile, and people are genuinely looking for alternatives. Frankincense is increasingly being studied as exactly that, and the research is actually growing which is exciting. Scientists are paying attention to this one and finding things worth publishing. Yay!
Beyond arthritis, its anti-inflammatory properties extend to other inflammatory conditions like asthma and ulcerative colitis, which makes it a useful option for people managing chronic inflammation in different parts of the body.
It's also antiseptic, which circles back to its historical use as incense and ritual resin. Purifying the air and the body simultaneously. The three kings really were onto something.
Safety note: Generally safe when taken with proper instruction and dosage. Contact dermatitis is possible for some people so always patch test before topical application. As with anything anti-inflammatory, if you're on existing medications check for interactions with your provider first.
Boswellia Serrata https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563692/
Effect of Boswellia species on the metabolic syndrome: A review https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7671425/
Boswellia https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/boswellia
Herbal Remedies by Andrew Chevallier
Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. No provider-patient relationship is created by use of this site. The author makes no representations regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information and assumes no liability for any adverse effects resulting from the use of plants or remedies described herein.
Who wrote it? What are their credentials? Who published it and why? A wellness blog and a peer-reviewed journal are not the same thing, even when they say the same words. Always click through to the original source.
Science updates over time. A 2003 study on a supplement may have been contradicted twelve times since. Always look for the publication date and whether newer research exists. "Studies show" means nothing without a timestamp.
Who funded the study? A supplement company funding research on their own supplement is a conflict of interest. It's not automaticly a disqualification, but worth noting. Look for the "funding" or "disclosures" section of any study you read.
Not all research is equal. A randomized controlled trial carries more weight than a case study or an animal study. "A study found..." could mean ten people in a lab or a decade-long population study. The difference matters enormously.
If only one source is saying something, be skeptical. If ten independent sources across different institutions, different countries, different decades are saying the same thing, you're getting warmer. Consensus is earned, not declared. Studies should be peer reviewed.
The National Institutes of Health database (PubMed) is free and searchable. Examine.com aggregates supplement research without selling anything. Both are significantly more reliable than any wellness influencer, including me.
