Incense tree
Benefits and uses of incense tree
Description of incense tree
The incense tree, or another name - Boswellia, which is native to Somalia, also grows in the archipelago of the four Socotra islands, and in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. It lives on dry slopes and can rise up to 2000 meters above sea level. These unique trees can still be found there, but from year to year, less and less. In these deserts, they are cut for heating. Humanity is still using the beneficial properties of incense tree, but, unfortunately, no one is breeding it.
The frankincense tree is very small, it can reach a height of 5 meters, it is often found in the form of a shrub with a curved trunk and hanging branches on which feather-like leaves are located. The tree belongs to the well-known Burzer family. Has white or light yellow flowers, collected in short tassels. This plant blooms in late May and early June.
Benefits of incense tree
Even in ancient times, people began to use incense tree. Ancient Roman doctors advised the use of this tree for the treatment of serious diseases of the skin, lungs, and stopping bleeding. Some time later, they were treated for purulent inflammation of the skin. In Egypt, in ancient times, incense was used for masks that have a rejuvenating effect. They also received treatment for syphilis, kidney and bladder infections, nervous disorders, digestive problems, and bone pain. Frankincense, as incense, is used in many religious cults.
A substance containing resin is released from the cuts in the bark of the incense tree; it thickens in the open air, and then solidifies in the form of amber droplets. From this resin, an essential oil is obtained by steam distillation.
This fantastic frankincense oil has many beneficial properties. It helps with diseases of the ear, nose throat - it treats a runny nose, inflammation of the tonsils, sinuses. It is used in the treatment of respiratory organs - lungs and bronchi. Also, the oil activates the natural withdrawal of excess fluid from the body, prevents the enlargement of the lymph nodes.
Frankincense is the main raw material used in modern medicine. It is a gum-resin of incense tree. It is obtained by making shallow cuts on the trunk of a tree. These cuts are made at the end of the calendar winter - early spring. Then this resin flows out and covers the entire tree trunk. The highest quality resin appears as transparent light yellow droplets. The worst grade is a dark sticky mass with an uneven consistency with small interspersed colorless pieces.
Gum-resin has the following composition: Resin - 56%, gum - up to 47%, essential oil - at least 2%. Also, this oil contains hydrocarbons - terpenes, namely camphene, pinene, piteten.
Frankincense obtained from the tree is used as an antiseptic for fumigation. It is also part of dispersed systems - emulsions used for various acute respiratory and viral infections.
Alcohol tincture of incense has found its application for abdominal pain, severe inflammation of the pharyngeal mucosa, rheumatism, acute pain in the kidneys, gonorrhea. Gum resin is often used in medicines for constipation. For the purpose of inhalation, the resin is used for acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, respiratory diseases.
Frankincense oil has a healing effect on the immune system and the digestive system. Frankincense oil is ideal for skin care and is added to cosmetics. Frankincense is a part of many ointments that help with the formation of abscesses on the skin, boils, and joint diseases. This delightful plant is widely used by Indians in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine.
In addition, incense tree produces an excellent anti-inflammatory effect, restores damaged cartilaginous tissue, helps with painful sensations in the joints, and facilitates the condition of the musculoskeletal system.
Boswellic acid is the most active component of the frankincense tree, which blocks the synthesis of substances that are one of the main causes of inflammation in the joints. The frankincense formulations prevent leukocytes from entering the cartilage and fluid contained in the joints. Thus, they weaken the degree of damage to the musculoskeletal system by leukocytes and reduce inflammatory processes.
In patients with joint damage, a decrease in urinary excretion of cartilaginous tissue components, such as, for example, uronic acid, was observed when drugs were used with this plant. All this testifies to the fact that the destructive processes have been stopped. It can be concluded that various drugs can perfectly replace aggressive antibiotics.
Frankincense is also used as a pain reliever in the treatment of joint diseases. Its active ingredients effectively reduce pain and morning joint discomfort, reduce swelling. Frankincense is known for its vaso-strengthening properties. There is an increase in the intensity of microcirculation in the articular tissues, and thereby facilitates the access of blood to the sites of injury. All this allows you to deliver nutritional support of healing substances to the musculoskeletal system.
The gum-resin of the plant has proven itself as an antiseptic. This resin has such unique properties as significantly reduce the growth of harmful microorganisms in the human body. Gum-resin has excellent wound healing function.
With nervous overstrain, the components of this gorgeous plant have a beneficial calming effect on the nervous system, reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood, protect the liver - normalize lipid metabolism.
Application of incense tree
Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, it is a substitute for harmful antibiotics for diseases of the musculoskeletal system. In these cases, incense alcohol tincture and ointment are used.
Alcohol tincture with incense incense is quite simple to prepare. Take 7.0 grams of the main component and dissolve in 15 ml of medical alcohol 96%. This mixture should be left in a warm, dark place for at least a week. It is necessary to apply the presented tincture before meals twice a day, 10 drops. Also, the tincture can be used for abdominal pain, throat ailments, gonorrhea, indigestion, pain in the bladder and kidney.
For self-preparation of incense ointment, use 10 grams of incense, 100 grams of petroleum jelly, 100 grams of previously melted pork fat. All these components must be placed in a container. Then heat in a water bath until complete dissolution, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes homogeneous. This wonderful ointment is applied to sore joints, boils, pustules on the fingers, purulent inflammation of the tissues with their subsequent melting and the formation of a purulent cavity. The ointment is for external use only.
Cotton wool, smoked with incense, is put on the chest of children at night for colds. This makes it easier for them to breathe and promotes a speedy recovery.
Frankincense essential oil has other uses as well.
The oil can be added to cosmetics - lotions, shampoos, gels, creams. Here oil is taken at the rate of 7 drops per 100 grams of fixed assets. This will make the skin silky, and a certain lifting and rejuvenation effect will be noticeable. The hair will become strong and strong.
Massages can be done with this incomparable frankincense essential oil. You need to mix 5 drops of oil with 1 tablespoon of base oil - you can choose almond, peach, even ordinary olive. You don't have to go to the salon for a massage, you can do this pleasant procedure at home, and the effect will be amazing. Massages with incense oil are effective in the early stages of skin aging - This will restore skin elasticity. Also, massage with oil will have a beneficial effect on asthma and coughing attacks.
To relax and calm the nervous system, you can use incense oil baths. To do this, you need to fill the bathtub halfway with warm water. In no case should hot water be used, the optimum temperature is 38 ° C. Next, you need to mix 8 drops of incense or milk, honey, sea salt. These components act as an emulsifier to stabilize the oil concentration. The duration of the procedure is approximately 20 minutes.
Frankincense essential oil is widely used for inhalation. This procedure is carried out both in hospitals and at home. The main first option is hot inhalation. To do this, add 3 drops of oil to a deep container of hot water. In this case, cover yourself with a towel and close your eyes. The optimal time for the procedure is 6 minutes. The second way is cold inhalation. In case of acute respiratory diseases, 3 drops of essential oil are applied with a tissue napkin and inhaled for no more than 6 minutes.
Frankincense contraindications
In medicine, no side effects have been identified when using incense. But frankincense is not recommended for cancers, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and psoriasis.
When using frankincense essential oil, you first need to apply a drop to your wrist to check for an allergic reaction. Also, you cannot use one essential oil - you must mix it with a base agent.
Care should be taken when using incense during pregnancy. Frankincense is not recommended for use with iron-containing preparations. It is recommended to always avoid hazardous eye contact.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
