Incense tree is a unique representative of the plant world. The second name is the sacred Boswellia. It is from the resin of this plant that incense is made. Many are familiar with this substance. Incense has long been used as incense. Moreover, it is a component of many religious cults.
Plant description
First you need to figure out where the incense tree grows. It grows in Somalia, in the lands of Yemen, Oman. Boswellia is also found on Socotra, an island that has sought fame for a botanical paradise.
Boswell prefers the slopes of the mountains. Most often it can be found at an altitude of about 1,800 m above sea level. The plant belongs to the Burzerovs. It is a stunted tree, a shrub. It can reach a height of 3 to 5 m. The plant differs in paper bark resembling pine, as well as a strong trunk. The peculiarity of Boswellia is that, having dropped the old bark, it begins to be covered with a new one. Young shoots appear annually. They are initially covered with short yellow hairs. Leaves are pinnate, grow from whorls. They are also covered with hairs.
The frankincense tree, a photo of which can be seen in the above article, blooms in spring - from April to May. From the axils of the leaves at the initial stage, brushes covered with buds appear. In full disclosure, the flowers consist of five petals, and in the middle, red or dark yellow stamens are visible. To complete the description of the frankincense is worth mentioning the seeds. At the end of flowering, in the places where the buds used to be, boxes of a light brown hue are formed. It is in them that the seeds of the plant are contained.
History tour
Incense tree, or rather, its resin, was widely used in Ancient Rome. Here, Boswellia was considered the best source of medicinal raw materials against pulmonary, skin diseases. With the help of incense, bleeding was stopped. After some time, the resin began to be used for the treatment of ulcers.
In ancient Egypt, frankincense was often added to masks to help rejuvenate the skin. The substance was also used to treat neurosis, syphilis, kidney infections, and severe pain in joints and bones.
Boswellia Properties
Incense tree, the beneficial properties of which have been studied for many centuries, is widely used in traditional and traditional medicine. The gum resin contained in it:
- It has an anti-inflammatory effect that applies to all organs and systems of the body. This is due to the presence of boswellic acids in the composition. These substances block the activity of leukotrienes, which are responsible for the development of inflammatory reactions.
- Reduces pain due to analgesic effect.
- Destroys pathogenic microflora.
- Improves the state of the nervous system. Relieves depressive states.
- It allows you to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, as well as restore their integrity. This greatly improves blood circulation and tissue nutrition.
- Helps alleviate the condition of those suffering from gastrointestinal disorders. Often, incense is used to treat diseases of the digestive tract and with ulcers.
- Used as an antitumor agent. Often, gum resin is used in the treatment of certain forms of cancer.
- It has anti-allergic effect.
- Helps patients with asthma.
- Helps relieve symptoms of gout and rheumatism.
- Suitable for the treatment of inflammatory diseases localized in the oral cavity - periodontitis, caries, periodontal disease, gingivitis, etc.
- With catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, it is used as an antiseptic.
Frankincense extract is used to treat many diseases. However, the best result is achieved with complex therapy.
Attention! Self-medication can be life threatening. Any medicine, herbal or synthetic, should be prescribed by the attending physician.
Biochemical composition
All the medicinal properties of frankincense are determined by the biochemical composition of the gum resin. It contains:
- 30-47% gum. This component consists of polysaccharides - galactose and arabinose, as well as galacturonic acid.
- Aromatic resins - 50%. They contain organic boswellic acids.
- Essential oils - 2-8%. The composition of these substances depends on the variety of the plant.
In what cases are medications containing incense prescribed? After all, this substance has unique healing properties.
In what form can it be used
Boswellia preparations are produced by many manufacturers in the form of:
Capsules are the optimal form for taking the drug inside. They contain dry plant extract. The shell is vegetable. In this form, the drug is absorbed faster, and the result is not long in coming.
Frankincense resin extract is often added to formulations intended for external use - in creams, gels, ointments. Often, such drugs are designed to eliminate inflammatory processes in the joints.
Use in therapy and for the prevention of diseases
Frankincense extract is a loose powder without white impurities. It is well soluble in water, glycerin. Therefore, the component is often used for the production of many biological additives and medicines. Widespread use due to the beneficial properties of plant materials.
Preparations containing Boswelli extract are prescribed during the complex treatment of all kinds of arthritis - rheumatoid, osteoarthritis, etc., rheumatism, arthrosis. The substance is part of the preparations intended for oral administration, and for topical use. The component helps eliminate inflammation affecting the joints and cartilage.
Thanks to many studies, it was proved that Boswellia is not toxic, unlike the synthetic components of anti-inflammatory drugs. The active substances of the extract of this plant block the production of leukotrienes. It is these substances that destroy cartilage, damage the joints.
It is proved that frankincense improves the functioning of chondroprotective compounds - chondroitin, glucosamine. The active substances contained in the plant positively affect the tissues of the body. This improves blood circulation in the joints.
Preparations with shrub extract are recommended for athletes. This is an excellent prophylactic that prevents damage to joints, cartilage. The components of the plant extract improve vascular patency, blood circulation, which is important for patients with certain cardiovascular disorders.
It is worth considering that Boswellia is able to have a slight sedative effect, calming the nervous system. The extract is used for the manufacture of drugs designed to eliminate conditions that are characterized by anxiety, depression. If necessary, such medicines can replace Glycine.
What diseases
Boswellia is used for:
- tumors;
- hemorrhoids;
- injuries, all kinds of bruises, life-threatening injuries, sprains and muscles;
- kidney disease;
- inflammatory processes;
- obesity;
- ulcerative colitis;
- pain in the lumbar region, in the joints;
- diseases of the kidneys, urinary tract;
- varicose veins;
- gout, polyarthritis, arthritis, diseases of the spine;
- high sugar (with diabetes);
- problems with lipid metabolism;
- hepatosis of the liver (fat) and with other lesions of the tissues of the organ and bile ducts.
Before using a medicine based on frankincense extract, you need to visit your doctor. After all, only a specialist can detect the presence of pathology and prescribe a comprehensive treatment. Do not forget that herbal preparations, as well as synthetic ones, may be contraindicated.
Application in cosmetology
The dry extract of frankincense is used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetology. This component dissolves well in glycerin. In addition, boswellia eliminates acne, soothes, removing signs of the inflammatory process, tightens the skin.
Cosmetics containing plant extract are used by both women suffering from dry skin and men. Contains a component in both daily care formulations and aftershave creams.
Contraindications
Not everyone can take medications based on frankincense extract. Contraindications - individual intolerance to active components that are part of the biochemical composition of medicinal raw materials. Often the reaction is manifested by a mild rash on the skin or gastrointestinal tract disorders.
As for the side effects, in practice, no negative manifestations from taking the drug based on Boswellia have been identified. In the course of studies on living things, with an increase in dosage to 1-2 g per 1 kg of weight, no changes in biochemical and other parameters were noticed.
Take with caution
Before using drugs and bioadditives containing frankincense components, it is worth studying the features of the application. Such funds should be taken with caution to those suffering:
- multiple sclerosis;
- psoriasis
- vitiligo;
- Parkinson's disease;
- oncological diseases;
- systemic lupus erythematosus.
Consultation with specialists is also required for those prone to allergies, pregnant and lactating women.