Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is made from the resin of the
Boswellia tree. This tree typically grows in the dry, mountainous regions of
India, Africa, and the Middle East.
Frankincense has a woody, spicy smell and can be inhaled, absorbed through
the skin, or taken as a supplement.
Used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, frankincense appears to offer certain
health benefits, from improved arthritis and digestion to reduced asthma and
better oral health. It may even help fight certain types of cancer.
Here are 5 science-backed benefits of frankincense — as well as 7 myths.
May reduce arthritis
Frankincense has anti-inflammatory effects that may help reduce joint
inflammation caused by arthritis.
Researchers believe that frankincense can prevent the release of
leukotrienes, which are compounds that can cause inflammation (1Trusted
Source.
Terpenes, including boswellic acid, appear to be the strongest anti-
inflammatory compounds in frankincense (3, 4).
In one 2014 study, both oral and topical boswellic acid reduced cartilage loss
and joint lining inflammation in osteoarthritis in mice (5).
In humans, frankincense extract may help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis
and rheumatoid arthritis (6Trusted Source, 2).
In one 2018 review, frankincense was consistently more effective than a
placebo at reducing osteoarthritis pain and improving mobility (7).
However, the review noted that the quality of most studies was low and more
research is needed.
In a subsequent study, participants took 169.33 mg of Boswellia extract twice
daily for 120 days. Results indicated that the supplement reduced
inflammation, joint pain, and stiffness in mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis,
without serious side effects (8Trusted Source).
Another study found that oliban oil, another name for frankincense, reduced
osteoarthritis pain when applied to the skin for 6 weeks. However, participants
ability to do daily activities or participate in sports didn’t show significant
improvements
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.