Frankincense: A Powerful Remedy for the Body and the Soul
Ridha Naturals will be posting articles on the different benefits that certain foods and herbs have on the body and the soul – today’s focus is on frankincense.
Our primary source for both the scientific evidence as well as the evidence from Prophetic Medicine (Islamic medicine) comes from the book Encyclopedia of Islamic Herbal Medicine by John Andrew Morrow, PhD, which you can find on Amazon.
Let’s start with the scientific research on frankincense, but first, a warning about its safety.
Internally, true frankincense is only edible if it is pure, translucent, and free of black or brown impurities. The edible product is often a light yellow with a very slight greenish tint. Frankincense poses no known health hazards or side effects when consumed in proper therapeutic doses. Some essential oils, however, can be poisonous, and should never be taken internally or applied to the skin.
When non-toxic, and non-irritant, the essential oil of frankincense seems safe for use by most adults. Internally or externally, frankincense should not be used during pregnancy or lactation.
For those who do not possess sensitivity to frankincense, then it has powerful therapeutic effects on the body and the soul.
The scientific studies that Dr. Morrow cites in his Encyclopedia include anticancer, antidiarrheic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, antiarthritic, and antiulcer, all of which had very positive results.
The anticancer study, conducted by the Foundation for Collaborative Medicine and Research in Greenwich (UK), found that frankincense, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, reversed multiple brain metastases in a patient with breast cancer who was not showing improvement with standard therapy. Additionally, Nihon University in Japan, “fifteen compounds exhibited potent cytotoxic activities against all of the three human neuroblastoma cells tested.”
An 8-week randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of frankincense’s effects on arthritis was conducted on 30 patients in Indira Gandhi Medical College in India showed that its extract was safe and effective in treatment of osteoarthritis in the knee, with patients who took the extract reporting decrease in knee pain and frequency of swelling, among other improvements. The difference between frankincense and the placebo were statistically significant.
Frankincense also has many powerful spiritual uses.
The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said that incense like frankincense, myrrh, Syrian rue (harmal), and wormwood help to expel evil spirits (demons and certain jinns) from the house.
“Use frankincense, for it invigorates the heart with courage, and it is a remedy for forgetfulness,” the Prophet also advised.
While there are certainly safety risks with use around pregnant women to observe and heed, the Prophet stated “Let your women-folk use incense when they are pregnant… The best incense is frankincense. It was the incense used by the Virgin Mary when she was giving birth.” Consult with a doctor and other qualified experts in the field to see if it is possible to safely go about doing this, such as making sure it is very diluted, in a different room, with lots of ventilation, and other precautions.
Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib, an early Islamic saint and relative of Muhammad, said “Use frankincense, for it fortifies the heart, and drives out forgetfulness.”
There haven’t been many studies on the effects of frankincense on memory loss, but hopefully soon in the future one can be conducted and we can see the true extent, if any, that it has on memory issues.
Frankincense also has a beautiful, mystical scent that works great as an incense as well as in perfume oils – the scent consistently inspires deep spiritual reflection. The men’s blend of Ridha Naturals’ Heavenly Scents all-natural perfumes contains frankincense within its mystical blend of Middle Eastern oils.
