Frankincense health benefits can fight cancer, manages arthritis and can relieve pain.

Many of the herbal formulas used here at Natchez Trace Veterinary Services contain Frankincense as one of the main ingredients, so we thought you may be interested in the history, use, and effects of this amazing herb. One of our popular herbal formulas is Frankincense Relieve Soreness. This Traditional Chinese herbal blend is formulated using Notoginseng Root (san qi),  Angelica Tang Kuei (dang gui), Frankincense (ru xiang), Myrrh (mo yao), Carthamus (hong hua), and Achyranthes (huai nui xi).  This formula is especially for dogs, and helps manage discomfort and support the normal healing process. Utilizing Chinese theory, Frankincense Relieve Soreness is a blend of blood-moving herbs. From a traditional Chinese standpoint, normal, everyday activity and exercise can lead to acute stasis or stagnation of blood. With time, this stagnation affects the flow of energy, or Qi (pronounced “chi”), to the affected area.  Frankincense Relieve Soreness is designed to move the blood and energy in the affected area. Without the stagnation of blood, the discomfort diminishes, returning the dog to full function as quickly as possible.

Frankincense – sometimes called olibanum – is a gum-resin. Historically, it is one of the most valuable substances in the world and the source of a major trade empire.

Beads of Frankincense from Dhofar

Frankincense has been used for centuries for ritual, ceremonial and medicinal purposes. It was used in ancient Egyptian Temples to honor Ra and Horus, and reportedly Queen Sheba brought Frankincense trees as a special gift for King Solomon. Frankincense is actually a gum resin produced by the Boswellia sacra tree. This tree only grows in very arid conditions and in a limited geographic range along the Arabian Peninsula and the northeast coast of Somalia. The Frankincense “gum resin” bleeds out of the trunk and branches of the tree when the outer bark is removed. The resin hardens into little white blobs which are then harvested by hand.

At one time Frankincense was more valuable than gold – needless to say, a situation much relished by the traders who only benefited from the obscurity and remoteness of the trees. Legend had it that the trees only grew in the most inhospitable mountainous places, guarded by dragon-like creatures that would readily strike out at any intruder. Obviously such stories were invented to scare off any attempts of enterprising and adventurous young men who otherwise perhaps might have ventured in search of the trees to do a little harvesting themselves. But, scare tactics aside, the long journey across the desert was no amble down the garden path – it was fraught with peril and as potentially dangerous as it was lucrative. -Sacred Earth

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Frankincense is called Ru Xaing. When taken internally properties are pungent, bitter, and warm and Frankincense health benefits mainly occur in the heart, liver, and spleen meridians. It used to invigorate blood, alleviate pain, dispel blood stasis, promote movement of Qi, relax sinews, reduce swellings, and generate flesh.

In Western Herbal Medicine, it is taken internally and Frankincense health benefits as a powerful anti-arthritic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory.  It has been shown to help osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.  Studies indicate that Frankincense may even protect cartilage from deterioration and damage before it occurs.  Frankincense is also taken internally for the treatment of colds and stomach and intestinal ailments and is supposed to aid digestion, help with ulcerative colitis, and reduce congestion from colds and flu.

New studies have shown that Frankincense may be a possible treatment for several different types of cancer by helping to repair their own DNA, which leads to normal cell death in tumor cells without affecting the healthy cells. Frankincense has been studied in the treatment of several types of cancer, all with very beneficial results. In these studies, frankincense was generally taken internally.

Click Here to Read a Study on How Frankincense is Being Used to Treat Bladder Cancer

In France, Frankincense is used in hospitals to treat depression, ulcers, and asthma. Frankincense has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier to oxygenate the pineal and pituitary glands, and Frankincense’s health benefits are being studied in relationship to Alzheimer’s, dementia, and senility as well as a host of other common ailments.

“Frankincense can cross the blood-brain barrier and helps oxygenate the pineal and pituitary glands. It may help with aging, allergies, bites, (insect and snake), bronchitis, cancer, carbuncles, catarrh, colds, coughs, diarrhea, diphtheria, gonorrhea, headaches, healing, hemorrhaging, herpes, high blood pressure, inflammation, jaundice, laryngitis, meningitis, nervous conditions, prostate problems, pneumonia, respiratory problems, prevent scarring and heal old ones, sciatic pain, sores, staph, strep, stress, syphilis, TB, tension tonsillitis, typhoid, wounds and warts.” -Frankincense Benefits Natural Healing

When using Frankincense, you need to make sure you purchase  CPTG (Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade) essential oil.  This is a pure form and can be taken internally, rubbed on the body, or diffused in a cold diffuser. If the essential oil is not graded CPTG it might contain additives, pesticides or herbicides that may do your body more harm than good. Also, It is best to avoid heating the oil in a burner, because heating might alter the chemical properties of the essential oil.

Are you interested in improving the health of your pet with natural remedies or herbal medicine? Call us!

• Natchez Trace Veterinary Services (Belle Meade) (615) 750-2248
• Natchez Trace Veterinary Services (Franklin) (615) 790-8100
  

Sources:

• Frankincense Benefits Natural Healing
• Herbal Arthritis Remedies: Using Frankincense Can Help Diminish Pain
• Herbsmith Rx
• Livestrong.com
• Natural History Museum
• Sacred Earth Ethnobotany & Ecotravel
• TCM Health Info

Note: It is always best to consult with your veterinarian before concluding that your pet has a particular ailment. Your veterinarian will also be able to recommend the best dosage of a particular remedy for your pet based on its symptoms, age, size, and specific needs.