Frankincense can be traced back to some of the earliest stories of mankind. It was supposedly one of the three precious gifts that the wise men brought to Bethlehem after Jesus was born. It was also a symbol of respect and honor as it scented ancient Egyptian temples and was given to royalty as gifts. At one time, it was thought to be more valuable than gold. In today’s world, it still holds a high value indeed.
From cleansing teas to herbal aromas and cleansing wounds, Frankincense has been used for a wide variety of medical and health purposes. In recent years, it has been used in treating cancer due to its ability to promote one’s own genes to heal. There are a number of different tree species from which Frankincense is harvested, located in Africa and across the Middle East. The Boswellia Serrata tree in India (pictured above) and the Boswellia Carteri in East Africa and China are the species that produce the resin linked to cancer treatment. Both have been used to treat Rheumatoid Arthritis and other inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease. Boswellia Serrata also exhibits anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties.
It is believed that Boswellia extracts possess anti-cancer properties as seen in their “anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in rat astrocytoma cell lines and in human leukemia cell lines, as well as their anti-carcinogenic activity in chemically induced mouse skin cancer models” (PMC). The resin has been shown to kill glioma cells in brain cancer patients and reverse brain metastases in breast cancer patients. Studies also suggest that Frankincense oil suppresses cell survival and creates apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cultured bladder cancer cells. These findings are profound and conclude that the resin might in fact help treat various types of cancer. Other types of cancer that it might be beneficial in treating are colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer.
In addition to its physical healing properties, Frankincense is also commonly used in aromatherapy and has been for an incredibly long time around the world. Its calming quality has proven useful in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and emotional problems. It has been suggested in clinical studies that Frankincense might actually deepen the breath of the individual, allowing them to experience more relaxation and grounding. It is a scent that is associated with living in the moment and letting go of burdens, which is something that we should all try a little harder to live by. When dealing with a disease such as cancer, this becomes even more important. Allow yourself time to meditate, process your emotions, and release what you can.
Essential oils are becoming very popular and you can find them online or at a local health store. You can purchase an essential oil diffuser on amazon for under $20. To use topically, rub the oil on your neck three times daily or drink three drops in water three times daily. Just as it has been a gift to others throughout history, give yourself this gift of natural healing.
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Sources:
Axe, Josh DNM, DC, CNS. “10 Natural Cancer Treatments Revealed”. Food is Medicine. https://draxe.com/10-natural-cancer-treatments-hidden-cures/. Accessed 7/18/2016.
Euler, Lee. “This Gift of the Three Wise Men Was a Powerful Cancer Treatment”. Cancer Defeated. http://www.cancerdefeated.com/this-gift-of-the-three-wise-men-was-a-powerful-cancer-treatment/1192/. Accessed 7/18/2016.
Mark Barton Frank, Qing Yang, Jeanette Osban, Joseph T Azzarello, Marcia R Saban, Ricardo Saban, Richard A Ashley, Jan C Welter, Kar-Ming Fung, and Hsueh-Kung Lin. “Frankincense oil derived from Bowswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity”. PMC U.S National Library of Medicine. Published 2009. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2664784/. Accessed 7/18/2016.
Morgenstern, Kat. “Frankincense”. Sacred Earth. Published December 2006. http://www.sacredearth.com/ethnobotany/plantprofiles/frankincense.php. Accessed 7/18/2016.
Proano-Carrion, Christina. “Enjoy the Magical Healing Touch of Frankincense Essential Oil”. The Aroma Blog. Published January 2007. http://thearomablog.com/enjoy-the-magical-healing-touch-of-frankincense-essential-oil/. Accessed 7/18/2016.
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