Frankincense Used in the Past

It is December at the time of this writing and Christmas carols are being played; children are practicing their lines for the traditional Christmas story of the birth of baby Jesus and how the Wise Men (Magi) brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. To many in western culture, this is the sole association of frankincense. Yet in other parts of the world, frankincense has for centuries been of traditional, ceremonial and medicinal importance; in ancient times its price was that equal to gold. Old Testament Biblical text recorded the burning of its incense, regarding such a practice as holy; medical texts of practitioners from around the ancient world recorded the uses and applications of frankincense. The centuries old legend of the Phoenix describes a bird-like creature that built its nest from twigs of frankincense and fed upon the tears of the resin with having supernatural powers to die and be born anew. For thousands of years the Phoenix was a mythical symbol of resurrection, rejuvenation and immorality.

The origin of frankincense is traced back to the Arabian Peninsula. According to Herodotus (5th century BC Greek historian), “Arabia is the only country which produces frankincense, myrrh, cassia and cinnamon…” At one time, there was an active over-land frankincense trade route that started in the Dhofar region of Oman, went through Yemen and followed the Red Sea coast to reach Jerusalem and Egypt. The production and trade of frankincense may have lasted for up to 6,000 years, spurring the creation of villages and towns along the route. Caravans of camels transporting frankincense were often targets of raids, since frankincense commanded prices equal to that of gold. It is likely that frankincense grew in areas across the Red Sea, such as Ethiopia and Somalia, but the initiation of the frankincense trade route began with gum resin from Omani trees. Due to raiding, desertification and other religious zealotry, the trade route dried up after about 300AD.

Gathering the Resin

Frankincense is an oleo-gum-resin produced by several tree species of the Boswellia genus and the family Burseraceae, which is distinguished for its resin bearing ducts. There are about 15 members of this genus, native to the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, India and China. The method of extraction is simple and fairly unchanged since ancient times. An incision is made in the bark of the tree resulting in a milky gum-like substance exuding from the cut area. This oleo-gum-resin is then either scrapped off the tree with an iron tool or collected on palm mats when the resin drips to the ground. Resin is then dried and later sold in markets around the world.

Harvesting varies among species and the practices of the region. In Oman, harvesting begins in December, reaching a peak in March to May. In India, harvest is once a year towards the end of October, whereas in Somalia, a twin harvest depends upon the extent of rains.

Phytochemistry

Although botanically there are numerous species of olibanum (Arabic for frankincense), only a few species produce the frankincense mainly used for purposes around the world; the type and quality of the resin depends upon its origin. Species most commonly uses are Boswellia sacra (from Oman, Yemen and Somalia), B papyrifera in tropical north east and west Africa, B frerana in Somalia and B serrata in India. In Omani tradition, the best quality resin is pale in colour, formed as opalescent tears 5mm-25mm long.

Active medicinal ingredients of frankincense have been reported in recent science journals to be sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, monoterpenes, diterpenes and boswellic acids; compound variation differs between species and even among the same species depending upon the climate, geographic origin and harvesting conditions.

Medicinal Applications

Compounds of frankincense have been found to exhibit in vitro (outside a living organism, usually in a test tube or Petri dish) antibacterial, antifungal, immunomodualtory (ability to regulate functions of the immune system) and in recent years immunostimulant activity. Studies have also found anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of Boswellia. It is thus apparent that frankincense has a wide range of uses. Selected below are just three traditional applications for treating illness and are currently of interest in medical research.

Asthma: Asthma is known to be a inflammatory-caused illness. A 2006 paper from the University of Tuebingen, Germany indicates that boswellic acid, an active component of frankincense, has shown to act as an anti-inflammatory agent in preliminary studies. The paper further states that boswellic acid inhibits 5-lipoxygenase as well as cytokines (inflammation mediators) and thus promising for treatment of asthma without the side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Cancer: Throughout the centuries many illnesses, including cancer, have been treated using frankincense resin. Rising attention has been given to the possible anti-cancer uses of frankincense. A study published in March of this year investigated the induction of tumor cell cytotoxicity using Boswellia carteri. This study found that frankincense oil appears to distinguish between cancerous and normal bladder cells as well as suppress cancer cell viability. Such a finding might indicate use of frankincense as an alternative agent to treat bladder cancer.

Asthma: Much like arthritis, asthma is an inflammatory-caused illness. A 2006 paper from the University of Tuebingen, Germany indicates that boswellic acid, an active component of frankincense, has shown to act as an anti-inflammatory agent in preliminary studies. The paper further states that boswellic acid inhibits 5-lipoxygenase as well as cytokines and thus promising for treatment of asthma without the side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Concluding Thoughts

It is evident that frankincense holds historical and traditional significance. Research indicating the current medicinal value of Boswellia species is growing. Such positive initial results merit further investigation into potential clinical uses; it is now recognized that some of the ancient remedies may result in the creation of novel drugs. Such results also stir a sense of excitement and possibility for those seeking alternative treatments to debilitating and even life-suppressing illnesses. The value of frankincense was recorded as being a gift for the baby Jesus and is now a gift for modern people as well.

The author utilizes pure aromatic botanicals for aromatherapy. More information is available through The Ananda Apothecary at www.anandaapothecary.com.