How to Use Frankincense

Wondering how to use frankincense? This article describes some of the uses of this powerful herb.

Frankincense is an herb that comes from the resin of the Boswellia tree. Slits are made in the bark of the tree, and a white liquid bleeds out from these slits. The liquid is dried into a resin known as frankincense tears. The tears are then used in a variety of preparations including essential oils, powders and capsules.

Frankincense has a sweet, woody scent with hints of camphor. The Boswellia trees from which frankincense are taken grow in Somalia and India.

If you are not sure how to use frankincense, rest assured it has a number of suggested uses in natural and mainstream medicine.

From a medical perspective:

• Recent research at Virginia Tech seems to suggest that frankincense may be useful in treating malignant melanoma. Further research indicates that it may also have efficacy in treating bladder cancer.
• A double blind, placebo-controlled study tested a drug called 5-Loxin, a derivative of frankincense. Indications are that the drug shows efficacy in treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
• Another study done at Johns Hopkins university indicated that frankincense smoke has psychoactive properties which relieve anxiety and depression in mice.

Anecdotally, there are many reported benefits of frankincense in its various forms that are not currently backed up by medical research. Some of these reported uses include:

• Treatment of ganglion cysts using twice daily topical application of a few drops of frankincense essential oil in a carrier oil such as grape seed oil.
• Frankincense is believed to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, some use it for treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and osteoarthritis. Use of frankincense for these conditions should only be carried out under the care of a physician, so no instructions for use are provided in this article for the application of frankincense to treat these conditions.
• Used as aromatherapy, frankincense oil has been shown to relieve a number of conditions related to emotional stress such as anxiety, disappointment, emotional fatigue and hysteria. To use for aromatherapy, place a few drops in warm water such as a bath, massage with the oil diluted in a carrier oil, or use a special aromatherapy diffuser.
• Further aromatherapy uses of frankincense oil include treatment of congestive conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis.
• Frankincense can be applied topically (a few drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil) for treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne scarring, healing of cuts and blemishes.
• A few drops of frankincense oil in daily skin treatment creams are said to minimize wrinkles and restore elasticity to the skin.
• Relieve menstrual cramps by adding eight to ten drops of frankincense essential oil to your bathwater and settling in for a long, soothing soak.
• Eight to ten drops of frankincense oil in bathwater can also relieve the burning of urinary tract infections. It probably goes with out saying – soak in the bathwater; don’t drink it.
• A few drops of frankincense oil sprinkled on a handkerchief and inhaled regularly can relieve the nasal congestion associated with common colds and allergies.
• For heavy periods, apply three to four drops of frankincense oil in a carrier oil and massage on the lower abdomen twice a day.
• To improve circulation, add four to five drops of frankincense oil to a carrier oil and massage on the affected areas twice daily.
• For wounds, apply two to three drops of frankincense oil to a cold compress and apply directly to the area twice daily.

Many of the above uses have not been tested by the ADA. It is always best to check with your physician before using any herbal remedy. Frankincense shouldn’t be taken internally unless you are under the care of a physician or natural health care provider who recommends such use.

• If you are using a blood thinning medication such as Plavix or Coumadin, you should not use frankincense.
• Frankincense should never be applied to broken skin.
• You should never use frankincense while pregnant or nursing unless you are under the direction of your health care provider.
• Frankincense oil should never be applied directly to the skin or irritation may result. Always dilute frankincense in a carrier oil or water.
• If you have any of the conditions described in the medical section above, do not self-treat with frankincense. Talk to your doctor.
• If irritation of the skin occurs, discontinue use and consult your doctor.

For more information on how to use frankincense, consult with a natural health care provider or aroma therapist.

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