FRANKINCENSE(लोबान )(kundirikkam). A 2008 study reported that frankincense smoke was a psychoactive drug that relieves depression and anxiety in mice.The researchers found that the chemical compound incensole acetate was responsible for the effects. Indian frankincense is botanically known as boswellia serrata. The most important derivative of the herb is the boswellia gum resin. When the tree trunk is tapped, a gummy oleoresin is exuded, which is fragrant, transparent, and brownish yellow in color. A purified extract of this resin is used in modern herbal preparations. Indian frankincense has been found to improve blood supply to the joints and restore integrity of vessels weakened by spasm. The herb has been used in the Indian Ayurvedic medicine since thousands of years. Traditionally, the gum resin from the plant has been used to treat diabetes, skin and blood diseases, fever, cardiovascular disorders, neurological disorders, rheumatism, dysentery, diseases of the testes, and some other disorders. It is mostly found in the western and central part of India, most notably in Rajasthan & Madhya Pradesh. Uses & Benefits of Indian Frankincense The bark of Indian frankincense is sweet, cooling and tonic. It is good in vitiated conditions of Pitta, cough and asthma. The herb is useful in fevers, urethrorrhea, diaphoresis, convulsions, chronic laryngitis and jaundice. It is also known to be useful in treating arthritis. The active ingredient contained in the resin, boswellic acid, is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It is also said to possess pain-relieving properties. These two properties make the plant effective against rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The plant extract has the effect of a mild sedative. This is rather a side effect of the plant, but works well as a pain reliever in many conditions. According to some studies, the extract from Indian frankincense has properties that tend to make it effective for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood and liver. Overall body cholesterol levels are brought down by this medicinal herb. Some studies have also figured out the immune boosting properties of this herb. The medicinal herb has been used to treat Crohn’s disease and colitis quite effectively. Its extract has been successfully used to treat Asthma. It also helps relax bronchial passageways. The oil made from Indian frankincense is a very effective one, which can calm and soothe the whole body and mind. It works to reduce all the aches and pains in the body and also clears the lungs. This herbal oil acts as a skin tonic. In a different study, an enriched extract of Indian Frankincense (usually Boswellia serrata) was used in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of patients with osteoarthritis. Patients receiving the extract showed significant improvement in their arthritis in as little as seven days. The compound caused no major adverse effects and, according to the study authors, is safe for human consumption and long-term use. In a study published in 2009, it was reported that Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell viability. In a 2012 study, researchers found that the behavioral effect [of insensole actetate] was concomitant to reduced serum corticosterone levels, dose-dependent down-regulation of corticotropin releasing factor and up-regulation of brain derived neurotrophic factor transcripts IV and VI expression in the hippocampus. These data suggest that IA modulates the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis and influences hippocampal gene expression, leading to beneficial behavioral effects supporting its potential as a novel treatment of depressive-like disorders. In 2013, Leicester University researchers announced findings that AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), a chemical compound in the resin, has cancer-killing properties and has the potential to destroy ovarian cancer cells. The lead researcher from the Universitys Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine announced the findings after a year studying the AKBA compound with ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro that showed it is effective at killing late stage cancer cells. Kamla Al-Salmani noted that among surprising findings were that some cells that had become resistant to chemotherapy were killed during the in vitro study. The efficacy of AKBA as a potential medicine for treatment of cancers(colon, breast and prostate) has been tested. The results are based on the preliminary and unverified findings of the laboratory study, which marked the first study to identify an ability to fight ovarian cancer. It is in early stages and, as of 2014, yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 10:18:20 +0000
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