Frankincense is one of the oldest and most valued substances in traditional medicine.
The Magi in the Christmas story brought a gift of frankincense because, even then, they knew it had some amazing properties. And today, frankincense is known as a fantastic natural remedy with remarkable healing properties.
Research on frankincense oil is still in the early stages. But scientists today believe frankincense may be helpful for everything from asthma to IBS to cancer.
Read on to learn more about the incredible properties of frankincense oil and how you can use it to live a healthier, more natural life.
1. Reduce Inflammation
One of the most remarkable things about frankincense is its ability to fight inflammation.
Some studies indicate that frankincense may slow down the body’s production of leukotrienes. These compounds can cause inflammation in different parts of the body, leading to pain and other such issues.
Thanks to this anti-inflammatory ability, frankincense can be helpful for arthritis pain. Arthritis is a condition in which the cushion between your joints breaks down, causing swelling and pain.
Some studies show that frankincense can ease pain from arthritis. It can be effective for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, frankincense performed better than placebos in some of these studies.
2. Improve Gut Function
The same anti-inflammatory properties that can ease arthritis pain may also help to improve gut function.
Often, GI distress can result from inflammation in our digestive system. If you have food intolerances or conditions like IBS, you may suffer from severe bloating, pain, and cramping due to this inflammation.
Some studies suggest that frankincense can help to ease pain and bloating from these conditions. Some patients with IBS fight anxiety and depression because of their condition. Using frankincense oil reduced their symptoms, which also helped improve their mental health.
However, most of these studies weren’t done on humans, and more research is needed.
3. Manage Asthma
The core process that causes asthma attacks is—you guessed it—inflammation.
When exposed to the right triggers, your airways tighten up, and you can’t get enough air. Leukotrienes cause this tightening. Some promising early studies suggest that frankincense can help to ease asthma symptoms.
However, it is essential to note that research on using frankincense to manage asthma is still very early. No one is suggesting frankincense should take the place of asthma medications.
You should always talk to your doctor before stopping or changing your asthma treatments. It’s also a good idea to check in before you take any new supplement.
Ask your doctor if frankincense is something you should include in your asthma treatment plan.
4. Improve Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene does more than just keep your breath smelling minty fresh. Gum disease can raise your risk of heart disease, strokes, and several other serious conditions.
Incorporating frankincense oil into your routine can help to keep your mouth healthy and your smile gorgeous. In addition to reducing inflammation, frankincense has some powerful antibacterial properties.
Some studies have suggested that chewing frankincense gum may help to reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth. But like the other uses mentioned here, research on this is still in the early stages.
5. May Help Fight Cancer
One of the most exciting potential uses for frankincense is in treating cancer.
Some test-tube studies have suggested that frankincense oil may stop cancer cells from spreading. It may also help reduce some of the side effects of cancer, making the disease more manageable during the treatment process.
It is imperative to note that frankincense does not cure cancer.
If you have cancer or suspect you may have cancer, you should work with your doctor and your medical team to determine the best treatment plan for you. Do not stop treatments prescribed by your doctor and replace them with frankincense.
How to Use Frankincense Oil
So if you want to incorporate frankincense oil into your life, how do you go about getting its many unique benefits?
One of the simplest ways to use frankincense is to take a supplement that contains frankincense oil. As always, don’t begin any new supplements without first talking to your doctor about if they’re a safe and healthy choice for your body.
Many people also choose to use frankincense essential oil as part of their daily routines. You can find skin creams that contain frankincense, or you can use frankincense essential oil in a diffuser. And, as we mentioned, you can get gum that contains small amounts of frankincense oil to improve oral hygiene.
You should never ingest frankincense oil. You should also always dilute this essential oil in a neutral carrier oil before applying it directly to your skin.
Learn More About Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil has several standout properties, the most important of which are its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial capabilities. Early studies show that this oil can help to improve symptoms of arthritis, IBS, asthma, and even cancer.
Always make sure to talk to your doctor before beginning any new supplement, and never replace a prescribed treatment with frankincense oil.
If you’d like to learn more about the fantastic benefits of frankincense oil, check out the rest of our site at Oily Simple. We offer essential oils for life in any form you need, whether supplements, roll-on, or single oil bottles.
Shop our single oils today and discover all the essential oils you need to live a happier, healthier, more natural life today.