Herbs From The Bible- What Is Frankinsense? How Is It Used?

The Christmas season will be here in just a few days. In the days of the bible, among the gifts given were herbs. They were considered a precious gift. Frankincense, holy incense, according to the bible was given as a gift to the baby Jesus by the wise men. Frankinsense came to the Holy land by way of the spice trade from East Africa. One of the leading exporters today is Somalia where it provides income for some 10.000 families. Why was Frankincense one of these special gifts? This is the story and history about Frankincense. Learn how research is proving its medicinal value.

One of the more important bible quotes reads, "Then the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum with pure frankincense, there shall be an equal part of each. and with it you shall make incense, a perfume, the work of a perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. and you shall beat some of it very fine, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting." Exodus 30:34-36. This herb is mentioned some 22 times in the bible with its main use being more in worship ceremonies. It was also indicated as an herb to sweeten the odors in rooms.

Frankincense goes back to ancient times. Around 333 B.C. Alexander the Great plundered Gaza, taking Frankinsense to Greece. It is mentioned by Herodotus somewhere around 500 BC. It was as valuable as gold in those times. . It was found in the tomb of the great ruler, Tutankhamum, some 3000 years ago.

Frankincense is not the real name of the plant species. Frankinsense is a powder made from one species of plants called Boswellia. There are 24 different plant species in the Boswellia herb family, with the most important ones being B. sacra and B. serrata. Frankinsense is made from the oleo-gum-resin that is collected from a cut in the bark. Understand that Frankincense can be made from one species or from several of the Boswellia species. This gum-resin is collected from the different species of Boswellia trees, cooked together, dried, and crushed into the expensive Frankincense powder. The combination of several Boswellia species to make Frankinsense may make the powder stronger and more effective. Different species vary is their concentration of the active alkaloids.

The B.serrata is the main species used in herbal medicine and is the basis of most of the clinical research trials. The Boswellic acids and triterpenic acids have been identified for their ability to inhibit inflammation.

Religious Use: Frankinsense is burned creating a white smoke which is thought by certain cultures to appease the Gods. The Catholic Church and other religions use it in ceremonies now in many of their churches. Frankinsense is ingrained in our history both in ancient times and today.

Skin Care: Frankinsense is used in skin care products today for the treatment of acne, wrinkles, scars, wounds, and to help the complexion. The UK today imports some 30 tons of Frankincense for perfume manufacturing. One perfume manufacturer uses 5 tons each year.

Health Usage: Notice reading the next part of this article, that different cultures in different parts of the world with different healing modalities use Frankinsense for the same kinds of illness and disease. This supports that the herb works on these conditions. Real life usage is the ultimate test of effectiveness.

Early Islamic physicians: Frankincense was used to treat dysentery, fevers, tumors, ulcers and vomiting.

Ayurvedic Medicine: different parts of the B. serrata species are used for Asthma;, as blood purification; and to treat lung conditions, dysentery, rheumatism, and skin problems.

Traditional Chinese Medicine: the B. sacra species is used to stimulate blood circulation, control bleeding, and to soothe menstrual pain. Its name in Chinese is Ru Xiang and is also used externally to reduce the pain and swelling of lesions.

African: Medicine Men use it as a tonic, diuretic, and to treat syphilis and bilharzias, a parasitic disease. It is also used in the treatment of lung conditions, painful periods, and inflammations.

In Canada today, the Natural Health Products Directorate, has published monographs for the accepted use of Frankincense. Frankinsense from the Boswellia species has been approved for Oral use as an astringent; a diuretic; to relieve nervous problems; and to relieve urinary problems. Topical use has been approved for Carbuncles, to promote tissue regeneration, to promote the healing of injuries, to relieve gum, mouth, and throat irritations, to relieve ring worm, to promote the healing of sores and swelling, and to relieve pain.

In December, 2010, the two species, boswellia sacra and boswellia serrata extract will be included in the United States Pharmacopeia, 2^nd supplement, 33^rd Revision, National Formulary 28^th Edition. It is also going to be included in the European Pharmacopoeia as well.

Learn how researchers are proving its historical usage. Science today cannot match the wisdom of the ages.

Modern Research: Boswellia is one of the herb species which has undergone considerable research trials. In 2008 one double-blind research study showed that Boswellia gave considerable relief for osteoarthritis of the knee. This proves its anti-inflammatory ability..

In Germany, a 2007 clinical trial studied Boswellia Serrata Extract to treat collagenous colitis with an impressive success in clinical remission. This reduced inflammation present in this disease.

In India, a double-blind research study pitted Boswellia against the drug Valdecoxib for OA of the knee. Patients all showed great improvement in pain, stiffness, and knee flexion with the Boswellia. The drug later was later taken off the market in both India and the US for heart problems. Again anti-inflammatory benefits with Boswellia use. Does that tell you something? Boswellia has been used since ancient times without serious side effects and damage to heart and liver functions. Drugs are taken off the market every year for the harm they cause.

In every trial of Boswellia in the treatment of OA of the knee, patients got significant relief. Other clinical trials have shown success with bronchial asthma, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and malignant gliomas.

This is but one example of research proving what other cultures have known for years. Frankincense has been used in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Islam medicine for centuries for the same illnesses that now have been proven with positive clinical trials. More clinical trials will come. It takes billions of dollars for clinical trials. Most herbs do not yet have the research to prove their historic use. Historic use and modern day use in many countries has proven over centuries the value of these herbs.

References:

The Holy Bible, Exodus 30:34-36

Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Herbs of the Bible, James A. Duke, CRC press, pps 63-65. James Duke, Ph.D. is a botanist and ethnobotanist, author of 30 some books on herbs and botany. He is considered a renowned and foremost expert in the field of herbs and herbal medicine.

Herbalgram Magazine,www.herbalgram.org, Issue 88, November 2010. pp. 3-4

http://www.nizwa.net/env/frankensence/fkensence.html

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/botany/question283.htm