| Frankincense is a resin that is derived from the | | | | for chemotherapy of non-resectable malignancies." |
| Boswellia tree, which is found in North Africa, the | | | | Another study performed at the University of |
| Middle East, and parts of Asia. Frankincense oil had | | | | Oklahoma released data on the effects of |
| been sought after for over 5000 years for its | | | | frankincense on bladder cancer cells. It revealed that |
| benefits. It was found in King Tut's tomb, and it is | | | | frankincense can not only differentiate between |
| mentioned in the story of Christ's birth as a gift from | | | | normal bladder cells and cancer cells, but that it could |
| one of the wise men who came to see the new | | | | also help inhibit cancer cell viability. The study stated, |
| born king. For most of us in Western culture | | | | "Micro-array and bioinformatics analysis proposed |
| frankincense is relatively unknown, but today | | | | multiple pathways that can be activated by |
| scientists are discovering many of the benefits that | | | | frankincense oil to induce bladder cancer cell death."1 |
| this substance provides, leading us to understand | | | | The variability of the benefits of frankincense oil is |
| why it was once valued as much as gold. | | | | astounding. Not only is it being shown to have |
| Not only is frankincense used for a variety of skin | | | | potential with reducing cancer cells, but another study |
| problems such as wrinkles, wounds, scars, dry skin, | | | | shows that frankincense extract from a particular |
| and relief for sore muscles, but there have also been | | | | variety of the Boswellia tree called Serrata, can |
| a number of recent university studies showing the | | | | relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis.2 Dr. Siba |
| medicinal benefits of frankincense for issues such as | | | | Raychaudhuri from the University of California, Davis |
| arthritis, anxiety and even cancer. | | | | noted that their team was concentrating on a |
| Frankincense has been used in many cultures as an | | | | particular ingredient in frankincense called AKBA which |
| incense, because it was said to produce a state of | | | | has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory |
| calmness. In 2008 scientists at Johns Hopkins | | | | properties. The UC Davis team was testing this form |
| University and Hebrew University of Jerusalem have | | | | of frankincense because it has been proven to be |
| found that there might actually be something to this, | | | | highly effective without any of the adverse side |
| concluding that frankincense does in fact relieve | | | | effects other treatments possessed. Their research |
| symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study, | | | | included a double-blind study with placebo controls |
| published in the May 20, 2008 issue of FASEB Journal, | | | | and was performed on seventy patients. The team |
| discovered that the positive effects were due to an | | | | was hopeful after processing the results of their |
| element in frankincense oil called incensole acetate. | | | | tests and commented that frankincense "was shown |
| Gerald Weissman of the FASEB Journal remarked, | | | | to have no major adverse effects in our |
| "The discovery of how incensole acetate, purified | | | | osteoarthritis patients. It is safe for human |
| from frankincense, works on specific targets in the | | | | consumption and even for long-term use." |
| brain should also help us understand diseases of the | | | | Frankincense oil is a great substance to have on the |
| nervous system." | | | | shelf for a variety of health issues. It is a very useful |
| This discovery of frankincense as a natural remedy | | | | ingredient for homemade skin care products as well |
| for anxiety and depression is very promising, but | | | | as a stand alone treatment for numerous skin issues, |
| scientists are finding that it may have even more | | | | arthritis, and cancer. No wonder it has long been |
| benefits than anyone realized. In 2006 the | | | | considered a gift suitable for wise men and kings! |
| Virgina-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine found | | | | Notes |
| that frankincense helped to reduce the size of skin | | | | 1. The study was published in the journal, |
| cancer lesions on horses. John Roberts, director of | | | | Complementary and Alternative Medicine, on March |
| the college's Center for Comparative Oncology | | | | 18, 2009. |
| applied the frankincense topically and found that the | | | | 2. The study comes from the University of California, |
| treatment eliminated small cancer cells and greatly | | | | Davis, headed by Siba Raychaudhuri and was |
| reduced larger tumors. Robertson noted, "....this | | | | covered in an article in the July 30, 2008 edition of |
| ancient medicine may have significant modern uses | | | | the Washington Post. |