Arthritis

Frankincense Effectiveness on Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis

This is a systematic review of data from randomized clinical trials
It shows encouraging results for conditions caused or maintained by inflammation.

Clinical trials of 47 studies on Boswellia serrata (frankincense) showed that the compound was effective for treating both rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. On top of that, the research also concluded that frankincense was effective for treating other conditions, such as colitis and Crohn’s disease.

Collectively, these data seem to indicate that Boswellia serrata extracts are effective in treating a range of conditions caused or maintained by inflammatory processes.

The evidence evaluated may be encouraging, but all the clinical trials had a small sample size. [1]

The synergy of frankincense and myrrh

Chinese medicine, frankincense and myrrh have been combined as drug pairs in the same prescription for thousands of years, and their combination has a better therapeutic effect on diseases than a single drug.

They often appear in the same prescription in the form of drug pairs. They usually have stronger synergistic effects than single medicines.

In the past, most of the studies on frankincense and myrrh focused on single-flavor medicines, and all aspects of research were relatively in-depth. However, in recent years, with the rise of network sciences such as systems biology and network pharmacology, drug combination has become a hot topic in modern drug research and a new trend in the development of modern drugs. [2]

Frankincense and myrrh can suppress inflammation

Research in Scientific Reports indicate that frankincense and myrrh can suppress inflammation and prevent/treat rheumatoid arthritis. An extensive 2011 Scientific Report concluded that frankincense and myrrh may be beneficial as an anti-inflammatory agent. This was supported by a 2015 study that showed strong evidence for frankincense and myrrh as an inflammation suppressor. [3]

Frankincense mitigates inflammation
Frankincense reduces inflamation which is linked to cancer. [4]

Osteoarthritis of knee with frankincense

Research has shown that frankincense has been more effective than placebos when it came to managing swelling, pain, and joint movement associated with arthritis. In this study all patients receiving drug treatment reported decrease in knee pain. [5]

Frankincense alleviates rheumatoid arthritis

This study concluded that oil of frankincense can be beneficial for easing morning stiffness, and the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and can even help reduce reliance on NSAIDs. [6]

Frankincense reduces inflammation

Acids from the boswelia sap can prevent the release of leukotrienes, which are inflammatories, as the active principle in treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. [7]