Frankincense

Boswellia sacra · 乳香

Resins & Pitch. Middle Eastern & Unani, African and Chinese Medicine.

Also called Olibanum, Luban, Ru xiang

Pinyin: Rǔ Xiāng

Spanish: Incienso

Essential oil not for swallowing

An aromatic tree resin burned as incense and studied for joint pain and inflammation.

Did you know? The English name frankincense comes from an old French phrase meaning high-quality incense.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Joint pain & arthritis. Most trials used Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata), not this species. Small trials in osteoarthritis found less pain and better movement.
Early proof
Inflammation. Boswellic acids slow inflammatory enzymes in lab studies, mostly with Indian frankincense. Human proof for this species is lacking.
Traditional proof
Wounds, burns & bites. Used on cuts and sores in tradition. Lab tests show some healing effects, but human wound studies are lacking.
Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Joints, Immune system, Skin & hair

Traditional use

Arab and African healers have used the resin on wounds and for pain. Chinese medicine uses ru xiang to move blood and ease pain.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary, Analgesic. Energy: warming.
Chinese medicine: 乳香 Invigorate blood. Nature: warm. Flavour: pungent, bitter. Enters the Heart, Liver and Spleen channels.

How people take it

Capsules of standardized extract were used in joint trials. Resin is burned as incense, and essential oil is diluted for skin use.

Capsule, essential oil and topical.

Where to get it

Grows in Oman, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Buy resin in spice or incense shops and extracts in capsules. Check labels for Boswellia sacra or Boswellia carterii, since many extracts are Indian frankincense.

Be careful

Most people tolerate it, but it can cause upset stomach, diarrhea, rash or allergy. Essential oil must not be swallowed. Avoid it in pregnancy, because the resin may trigger uterine contractions.

Avoid if: pregnancy; bleeding disorders; before surgery.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Both are aromatic resins used together in traditional incense and remedies.
Works well together
Classic resin pair. In Chinese medicine, ru xiang and mo yao are often used together for pain from stuck blood.
Use caution
Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
Boswellia may affect clotting in lab tests. Ask a doctor before mixing with blood thinners.

Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.

The honest take

Frankincense has real but limited human research, and most of it used a different Boswellia species. Joint pain trials are small and show modest pain relief. Claims about cancer or immunity are not supported.