Frankincense: The Secret Ingredient for a Healthy and Happy Life

A Traditional Oil With Many Uses

Long associated with Christmas holiday festivities, frankincense is much more than a seasonal scent. The essential oil of Boswellia carterii, Boswellia frereana, and Boswellia serrata are powerful herbal medicines in their own right. Native to India, Africa, and the Middle East, this rare but resilient tree possesses a range of healing attributes, including easing depression, anxiety, and stress; boosting the immune system and fighting cancer; improving memory and brain health; protecting and soothing the skin; and balancing hormones for reduced symptoms of PMS and menopause. Interested in learning more? Keep reading to explore all the wonderful properties of this unique botanical!

Anxiety & Depression

For those who suffer from anxiety and/or depression, inhaling frankincense essential oil or incense is a gentle yet effective natural remedy. Animal studies have found two compounds in the plant, incensole and incensole acetate, work upon TRPV3 ion channels in the brain that help to alleviate both anxiety and depression in animal models when inhaled via an essential oil diffuser or by burning incense.¹

Immunity

Researchers have found that frankincense regulates the immune system and may be helpful for those with autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis.^6,10 Due to its strong antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and broad antiviral activity, a study published in the journal Inflammopharacology found Boswellia serrata is beneficial for supporting the immune system and treating the symptoms of severe acute respiratory syndrome.¹²

Inflammation & Cancer

When combined with myrrh essential oil, frankincense was shown to fight breast and skin cancer cells that had become resistant to chemotherapy.³ Additional research found the botanical inhibited the proliferation of leukemia, glioblastoma, prostate, pancreatic, and skin cancer cells.^2,9,11 Moreover, a study using human colon cancer cells in vitro “suggested that B. serrata extracts inhibit proliferation, angiogenesis, and migration, and induces apoptosis of the cells”.⁸ It also exhibited anti-inflammatory effects and was found to be effective for ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, bronchitis, sinusitis, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, eczema, and asthma.^2,6,7

Youthful, Clear Skin

Traditionally used as an effective anti-aging treatment, frankincense oil diluted and applied topically can help to reduce the signs of aging, boost collagen production, reduce inflammation, calm psoriasis, and treat acne.^2,13,14 Seeking an all-in-one solution for beautiful skin? I personally use Herbal Facefood serum and cream.

Brain Health

Frankincense oil may also improve brain function and memory. One animal study found that when pregnant rats consumed the herb, their offspring had significant improvements in learning and both short-term and long-term memory.⁵ Incredibly, a compound found in frankincense by the name of P7C3 has shown significant neuroprotective qualities when taken orally for Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), traumatic brain injury, and age-related cognitive decline.⁴

The Power of Plants: Natural Solutions for Cognitive Health & More

Along with frankincense, our Brain Bundle contains a collection of powerful herbal remedies that enhance and protect brain health; cool inflammation; address viral, fungal, and bacterial infections; fight cancer; improve memory, and calm anxiety, stress, and depression.

Cordyceps Mushroom

• Neuroprotective
• Combats fatigue
• Improves brain function
• Fights chronic inflammation
• Antimicrobial
• Antiviral – Cordycepin from C. militaris is thought to inhibit viral entry and viral replication
• Demonstrates great potential for acute lung injury induced by influenza
• Improves memory, learning, and reduces oxidative damage to cells
• Boosts athletic performance
• Manages blood sugar levels
• Supports cardiovascular and liver health
• Asthma and Allergies
• Inhibits the growth of cancer cells, including those of the lung, colon, and liver.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom

• Anti-inflammatory
• Boosts cognitive function
• Shown to help reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Parkinson’s
• Helps to repair damaged nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain by encouraging Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
• Studies have shown that lion’s mane has a unique ability to stimulate the growth of brain cells.
• Lessens insomnia, anxiety, and depression
• Improves energy by improving blood oxygen levels, reducing muscle fatigue, and lowering lactic acid accumulation.
• Helpful for autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Reishi Mushroom

• Fosters quality sleep, alleviates adrenal fatigue, and encourages healthy immune function.
• Strengthens the body against the negative effects of stress, including: hormonal imbalances, high cortisol, fatigue, brain fog, and low energy
• Relieves autoimmune diseases and leaky gut through anti-inflammatory action and immune system modulation.
• High in beneficial beta-glucans, glycoproteins, and triterpenes to support gut and metabolic health.
• Alcohol-extracted reishi helps with blood sugar management
• Lowers liver enzymes and supports liver function.
• Suppresses inflammatory compounds and inhibits histamine release.

Lemon Balm

• Dementia
• Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease
• Anxiolytic (soothes anxiety) and helps calm the body and mind
• Improves sleep quality
• Reduces inflammation
• Antioxidant properties protect nerves
• Encourages GABA production to soothe anxiety and stress
• Eases PMS symptoms
• Relieves insomnia
• Calms ADHD symptoms
• Balances blood sugar levels
• Improves heart arrhythmia
• Antiviral activity against colds and influenza
• Effective for the treatment of cold sores, herpes, and shingles both internally and topically

PART OF MY DAILY ROUTINE

“I bought this bundle because one of the reviews mentioned the lemon balm helping with ADHD and I wanted the Reishi for my immune system, but the whole bundle is such an important part of my daily routine now! When I placed my first order, I was starting to get a cold. I don’t know how it shipped so fast, but I got the order the next day and started taking the tinctures immediately. They nipped my cold in the bud! Since taking the Brain Bundle, I have more energy, have stayed healthy, and I am able to focus more at work. Any of Nicole’s tinctures are worth every penny. I have also used the Balanced Gut Tincture and that helped a lot, too. I am 100% these are amazing! Thank you, Nicole!” -Lacy

If you would like to take advantage of these and many other health benefits, visit my apothecary today to learn why our herbal extracts are considered the gold-standard of medicinal tinctures.

Here’s to your health!

Nicole Apelian

Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post

References

1. 1. 1. Al-Harrasi, A., Csuk, R., Khan, A., & Hussain, J. (2019). Distribution of the anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant compounds: Incensole and incensole acetate in genus Boswellia. Phytochemistry, 161, 28–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.01.007
   2. Al-Yasiry, A. R., & Kiczorowska, B. (2016). Frankincense–therapeutic properties. Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online), 70, 380–391. https://doi.org/10.5604/17322693.1200553
   3. Chen, Y., Zhou, C., Ge, Z., Liu, Y., Liu, Y., Feng, W., Li, S., Chen, G., & Wei, T. (2013). Composition and potential anticancer activities of essential oils obtained from myrrh and frankincense. Oncology letters, 6(4), 1140–1146. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2013.1520
   4. Pieper, A. A., McKnight, S. L., & Ready, J. M. (2014). P7C3 and an unbiased approach to drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. Chemical Society reviews, 43(19), 6716–6726. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3cs60448a
   5. Mohammad Hosseini-Sharifabad; Ebrahim Esfandiari (2011). Effect of Boswellia serrata Triana & Planch. gum resin administration during lactation on morphology of pyramidal neurons in hippocampus of rat. Journal of Herbal Drugs, 2(1), -. https://www.europub.co.uk/articles/-A-23342
   6. Efferth, T., & Oesch, F. (2022). Anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities of frankincense: Targets, treatments and toxicities. Seminars in cancer biology, 80, 39–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semcancer.2020.01.015
   7. Nathaniel C. Gilbert et al, Structural and mechanistic insights into 5-lipoxygenase inhibition by natural products, Nature Chemical Biology (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0544-7
   8. Almeida-da-Silva, C. L. C., Sivakumar, N., Asadi, H., Chang-Chien, A., Qoronfleh, M. W., Ojcius, D. M., & Essa, M. M. (2022). Effects of Frankincense Compounds on Infection, Inflammation, and Oral Health. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 27(13), 4174. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27134174
   9. Hakkim, F. L., Bakshi, H. A., Khan, S., Nasef, M., Farzand, R., Sam, S., Rashan, L., Al-Baloshi, M. S., Abdo Hasson, S. S. A., Jabri, A. A., McCarron, P. A., & Tambuwala, M. M. (2019). Frankincense essential oil suppresses melanoma cancer through down regulation of Bcl-2/Bax cascade signaling and ameliorates heptotoxicity via phase I and II drug metabolizing enzymes. Oncotarget, 10(37), 3472–3490. https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.26930
   10. Ammon H. P. (2010). Modulation of the immune system by Boswellia serrata extracts and boswellic acids. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 17(11), 862–867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.03.003
   11. Park, B., Sung, B., Yadav, V. R., Cho, S. G., Liu, M., & Aggarwal, B. B. (2011). Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid suppresses invasion of pancreatic cancer cells through the downregulation of CXCR4 chemokine receptor expression. International journal of cancer, 129(1), 23–33. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.25966
   12. Gomaa, A. A., Mohamed, H. S., Abd-Ellatief, R. B., & Gomaa, M. A. (2021). Boswellic acids/Boswellia serrata extract as a potential COVID-19 therapeutic agent in the elderly. Inflammopharmacology, 29(4), 1033–1048. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-021-00841-8
   13. Siemoneit, U., Koeberle, A., Rossi, A., Dehm, F., Verhoff, M., Reckel, S., Maier, T. J., Jauch, J., Northoff, H., Bernhard, F., Doetsch, V., Sautebin, L., & Werz, O. (2011). Inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E2 synthase-1 as a molecular basis for the anti-inflammatory actions of boswellic acids from frankincense. British journal of pharmacology, 162(1), 147–162. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.2010.01020.x
   14. Calzavara-Pinton, P., Zane, C., Facchinetti, E., Capezzera, R., & Pedretti, A. (2010). Topical Boswellic acids for treatment of photoaged skin. Dermatologic therapy, 23 Suppl 1, S28–S32. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8019.2009.01284.x