The fragrant resin known as frankincense, which comes from the boswellia tree species, has long been prized for its medicinal benefits and traditional applications. Recent scientific studies have begun to identify the frankincense bio-active substances that contain these benefits. This article provides a thorough analysis on the chemistry, health advantages, dose guidelines, potential side effects, drug interactions, and general responsible usage of frankincense.
You May Also Like:
CBD for Concentration: 3 Epic Benefits that Boost Your Focus
CBD for Concentration: The Productivity Hack for Energy and Focus
Frankincense: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, Drug Interactions, and Other Important Information is an original (NootropicsPlanet) article.
The Nature of Frankincense
Boswellia sacra, the botanical name for frankincense, is a tree that is indigenous to parts of Africa and Arabia. Incisions are made through the bark of the tree to release the frankincense resin, which subsequently hardens into droplets called “tears” or “pearls” that are then extracted.
Boswellia tree resin is prized for its fragrant properties and has been used for millennia in religious and ceremonial rituals. In addition to being used as an incense, frankincense has also been used for its therapeutic benefits in several traditional medical systems from ancient Egyptian traditions to Ayurveda in India.
Frankincense’s perfume is described as piney, citrusy, and sweet-woody. Raw resin can be consumed, used to make essential oils, or can be burnt as incense. Since it has acquired popularity in the complementary and alternative medicine community in recent years, frankincense is now frequently used as a nutritional supplement and is used in cosmetic products.
Health Benefits of Frankincense
Due to its diverse array of medicinal components, frankincense is used in traditional medicine across a variety of health sectors. Because of its anti-inflammatory qualities, it is a sensible choice for treating inflammatory diseases including asthma and arthritis. Frankincense supplementation has been found in clinical studies to significantly reduce pain and increase mobility in osteoarthritis patients.
Preliminary study suggests that frankincense can be effective in treating brain, breast, pancreatic, and colon cancers. Before making firm statements, these data call for more clinical research.
Frankincense’s immunomodulatory properties have been used to treat autoimmune conditions and boost immunological function. Additionally, a growing body of research points to possible neuroprotective advantages, with studies demonstrating reductions in neurodegenerative symptom severity.
The Chemistry of Frankincense
Monoterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, tetracyclic triterpenic acids, and polyphenols make up the complex combination that makes up frankincense. Boswellic acids are the components of frankincense that have the greatest biological impact. The most active forms are -boswellic acid, acetyl-boswellic acid, 11-keto-boswellic acid, and acetyl-11-keto-boswellic acid. These substances have been discovered to have a variety of biological properties, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immune-modulating properties.
Physiological Properties of Frankincense
The interaction of frankincense’s boswellic acids with various metabolic pathways is what causes the majority of its physiological effects. Frankincense’s anti-inflammatory properties are brought on by the suppression of 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in the production of leukotriene, a key component of the inflammatory response.
Boswellic acids can have anti-cancer effects by inducing apoptosis and inhibiting pathways including NF-kappaB and AKT signaling, which prevent the growth of tumor cells. Boswellic acids also have immunomodulatory properties because they affect T lymphocyte activity and cytokine production.
Optimal Dosage of Frankincense
The ailment being treated, your overall general health, and the type of frankincense being used (such as raw resin, essential oil, or standardized extract) all play a role in determining the ideal dosage for the herb. Studies researching the health advantages of frankincense often suggest taking dosages of 300–500 mg of boswellia extract daily.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and to follow guidance from a healthcare expert given the variation in product formulation. It is also important to remember that greater amounts of frankincense can result in potential side effects, even if lesser levels are often safe for most people.
Side Effects of Frankincense
Though frankincense is often well tolerated, it is possible for side effects to appear, especially at larger dosages. These side effects can include digestive issues such as nausea, stomach pain, and acid reflux. If you are sensitive to or allergic to frankincense, you could possibly develop skin rashes.
Due to its immunomodulatory properties, frankincense can make autoimmune disorders worse if you are sensitive. As usual, before beginning a new supplement regimen, speak with your medical professional.
Potential Substance Interactions with Frankincense
Some drugs and frankincense can interact, thereby reducing the effectiveness or rate of absorption. For instance, due to its natural qualities, frankincense can increase the effectiveness of immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory medications. Additionally, it could interact with anticoagulants, raising the risk of bleeding.
To prevent potential interactions, it is essential to discuss any new supplement regimen with your healthcare professional, especially if you are on prescription medicines.
Responsible Use of Frankincense
Although it can have many health advantages, frankincense should only be taken in moderation. It should only be used under the supervision of your healthcare practitioner, especially when used in conjunction with certain medical conditions or prescription regimens, since it is not a replacement for a balanced diet or prescribed pharmaceuticals.
Frankincense:
Conclusion
Frankincense is a strong natural supplement with a wide range of health advantages due to its complex mixture of bio-active substances. It is possible to maximize the benefits of frankincense while limiting risks by paying close attention to dose recommendations, potential side effects, and potential interactions. To understand its long fully-term consequences and create thorough guidelines for its use, additional study is necessary.
References:
- Boswellia: A Potential Anti-Inflammatory Agent. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-63/boswellia
- Frankincense in Traditional and Modern Medicine. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411016300281
- Frankincense–therapeutic properties.link:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27117114/#:~:text=Contemporary%20studies%20have%20shown%20that,reported%20to%20be%20particularly%20useful.
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
