Frankincese is the type of resin which originates from the family of Burseraceae (genus Boswellia) and comes from India, the North-East Africa, Arabian Peninsula and the region around the Red Sea. In these regions, through many centuries, it has been considered not only very beneficial for health, but also possessing some mystic powers.
The part of this plant which is used in culinary, aromatherapy, and what is even more important in medicine as a remedy, is the dried resin from the tree called Olibanum. Also, the oil that is drained from the resin has a wide range of usage.
The process of collecting the fruit is not simple at all. First of all, the trunk must be cut in lines so that it can secrete some substance that resembles milk, which is actually resin. When this resin stays in the air it somehow coagulates, and then it gets divided in small drop-like unions. After more or less than two weeks, those droplets can be collected from the trunk. And again, there should be a period of about three months of keeping them in some place and waiting to harden, so that they could be edible.
But, when the essential oil needs to be extracted, the process starts before these three months, or to be more precise, while they are not yet stored to become harder. So, in the case of making the Frankincense oil, somewhat the softer droplets are collected to pass the process of distillation. And it is recommendable to perform the distillation with carbon dioxide, in order to emphasize its characteristic scent and the nutritional values of it.
So, as already said, lately frankincense essential oil and the dried resin itself have obtained the deserved attention in the world of medicine. Many researches have shown a lot of beneficial effects on health in general. The scientists and doctors have listed the most important and valuable substances of frankincense. Those are monoterpenes, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, boswellic acids and diterpenes. Also, it is good to know that the resins that look like opaque are believed to be the healthiest.
When it comes to the usage in the medicinal purposes, the main ingredient of frankincense, the Boswellia has proven to have the power of stopping the inflammatory processes and infections. But, the latest examinations have brought the evidences of its anti-cancer characteristics and of boosting the immunity.
As far as the diseases based on the inflammations are concerned, Asthma and arthritis are the ones of those that can be treated with the acid of Boswellia. Also, this quality of reducing inflammations and infections is applied in the curing the gums and teeth-related problems. And, of course, it is used as the remedy for injuries, but it is put on the hurt spot in the form of powder.
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