What is frankincense? History, traditional uses and ingredients

Most people only know frankincense from the church, where it is used as incense during religious services. But frankincense has a long and varied history that goes far beyond its religious significance. Frankincense was already used as a medicine and fragrance in ancient Egypt. Even today, frankincense is valued and intensively researched for its health benefits.

Where does frankincense come from?

Frankincense is dried resin from the Boswellia tree and was first mentioned as a medicine in the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus. Its origin is estimated at around 1500 BC (1). The story of the Three Wise Men who gave Jesus three gifts at his birth is also well known: frankincense, gold and myrrh. Today, frankincense is used primarily in the Catholic Church during church services (2).

Frankincense comes from tropical regions in the Middle East, Africa, China and India. The largest producers of frankincense are Oman, Yemen and Somalia. Other important countries include Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan and India (2, 3).

What is frankincense?

Frankincense comes from different species of Boswellia trees. They belong to the family of balsam trees (Burseraceae). Frankincense is mainly obtained from the varieties Boswellia sacra (Middle East), Boswellia papyrifera (Ethiopia, Eritrea), Boswellia serrata (India) and Boswellia frereana (Somalia). Most scientific studies have been carried out on the resin of the Indian species Boswellia serrata. Boswellia trees grow in tropical and subtropical areas and usually reach a height of up to 8 m. About 3–10 kg of resin can be harvested per tree annually (2, 3).

The resin is obtained by scratching the bark of the frankincense tree. A white, viscous mass flows out and dries at the site of the injury. After drying, pearl-like resin is formed, which is then harvested. The natural function of the resin is to seal the injured area and prevent the penetration of harmful microorganisms and fungi.

Frankincense resin is a so-called multi-component mixture. Over 200 different substances have been identified in frankincense. The main components include essential oils, mucilage and resin acids. Boswellic acids are particularly important for the health effects of frankincense (4).

What is frankincense used for?

Frankincense has been used both internally and externally for many millennia, for example by chewing or inhaling. In addition to its role as a sought-after commodity, frankincense was a versatile medicinal product. In Egypt, for example, frankincense was used as a fragrance in embalming, as an insect repellent and as a perfume (5). Important physicians such as Dioscorides and Celsus in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD used frankincense to treat wounds and bleeding. In ancient Judea, frankincense played an important role in certain ceremonies in temples. Since the 4th or 5th century, frankincense has also been used for fumigation in Christian worship services.

In Babylon between the 3rd and 6th centuries AD, prisoners were said to have been given frankincense in wine to influence their mood and prevent them from being "sad." The Persian physician Ibn Sina in the 11th century pointed to the use of frankincense for inflammation, urinary tract infections and amnesia.

In Ethiopia, frankincense is used for its calming effects. In Kenya, frankincense is taken mixed with sesame oil to reduce blood loss in schistosomiasis. In India, frankincense is used to treat inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease, arthritis, and asthma. According to traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda, frankincense is said to have a powerful effect on the nervous system. In China, frankincense has been used as an ingredient in skin remedies to treat bruises and infected wounds (1).

What ingredients does frankincense contain?

The effects of frankincense have been investigated in numerous studies to date. Boswellic acids have received particular attention as important active ingredients. They make up around 30% of frankincense.

The proportions of the individual components of frankincense can vary depending on the variety. For example, Boswellia serrata is composed as follows:

• 5 – 15 % oil
• 55 – 66 % resin
• 12 – 23 % mucus/gum

Boswellic acids are special chemical compounds that belong to the group of pentacyclic triterpenes. Boswellic acids can occur in an alpha and a beta configuration. 11-keto-β-boswellic acid (KBA) and 3-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) belong to the beta configuration and have the highest biological activity in frankincense. According to the European Pharmacopoeia, effective frankincense products should contain at least 1.0% KBA and AKBA (6, 7). Frankincense also contains diterpenes and monoterpenes. They are found in essential and volatile oils and are associated with numerous health-promoting properties (5).

Terpenes come from turpetine, a viscous balsam that flows out of the bark and young wood of various trees when cut. Turpetine contains resin acids and some hydrocarbons called terpenes. Terpenes are therefore substances that are mainly of plant origin and are made up of isoprene subunits. They give many plants characteristic, usually pleasant scents. In nature, terpenes have the task of attracting insects for pollination, repelling harmful predators and serving as signaling substances and growth regulators for plants (8).

Conclusion

Frankincense is the valuable resin of the Boswellia trees, which are widespread in Africa, Arab countries and India. Frankincense has been used in traditional medicine and religious ceremonies for several thousand years. The resin is obtained by scratching the tree bark, which releases a viscous mass that can be collected as resin after drying. Frankincense is rich in terpenes, which give it its characteristic scent. Particularly important are the so-called boswellic acids, which are responsible for the health effects of frankincense.

Sources

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7. Krüger P, Kanzer J, Hummel J, Fricker G, Schubert-Zsilavecz M, Abdel-Tawab M. Permeation of Boswellia extract in the Caco-2 model and possible interactions of its constituents KBA and AKBA with OATP1B3 and MRP2. Eur J Pharm Sci 2009; 36(2-3):275–84. doi: 10.1016/j.ejps.2008.10.005.
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