Botanical Name: Boswellia sacra
Family: Burseraceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Genus: Boswellia
Species:B. sacra
Synonyms:
*Boswellia bhaw-dajiana Birdw.
*Boswellia bhaw-dajiana var. serrulata Engl.
*Boswellia carteri Birdw.
*Boswellia carteri var. subintegra Engl.
*Boswellia carteri var. undulatocrenata Engl.
*Boswellia undulatocrenata (Engl.) Engl.
Common Names: Frankincense or Olibanum-tree
Habitat: Boswellia sacra is native to the Arabian Peninsula (Oman, Yemen), and horn of Africa (Somalia). It often grows on rocky slopes and ravines, up to an elevation of 1,200 m (3,900 ft), mostly in calcareous soil. Boswellia sacra is abundant in Oman in arid woodland, on the steep, precariously eroding slopes in the mountains of Dhofar, but it is most prevalent in Eastern and northern Somalia.
Description:
Boswellia sacra is a small deciduous tree, which reaches a height of 2 to 8 m (6 ft 7 in to 26 ft 3 in), with one or more trunks. Its bark has the texture of paper and can be removed easily. It has compound leaves and an odd number of leaflets, which grow opposite to one another along its branches. Its tiny flowers, a yellowish white, are gathered in axillary clusters composed of five petals, ten stamens and a cup with five teeth. The fruit is a capsule about 1 cm (0.39 in) long. The new leaves are covered with a fine down.
Individual trees growing on steep slopes tend to develop some buttressing that extends from the roots up into the base of the stem. This forms a sort of cushion that adheres to the rock and ensures a certain stability.
Uses:
The resin is entirely edible, with many beneficial health properties associated with oral ingestion. … High-quality frankincense isn’t “rocks” it’s a gum which can be chewed. Folks have been consuming this resin for a very long time.
Boswellia, or Indian frankincense, is a resin herbal extract from the boswellia tree, which natural medicine practices have used for centuries. Its anti-inflammatory effects mean that it may help with inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma.
Mainly used for brain injury, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, joint pain, swelling of the fluid-filled pads in the joints (bursitis), and swelling of tendons (tendonitis)
It can be an effective painkiller and may prevent the loss of cartilage. Some studies have found that it may even be useful in treating certain cancers, such as leukemia and breast cancer.
People use Boswellia serrata for osteoarthritis. It is also used for many other purposes, including asthma, diabetes, and stroke, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses. There is also no good evidence to support using Boswellia serrata for COVID-19.
The sap from Boswellia serrata is sometimes used to make Frankincense. Frankincense is typically applied to the skin or inhaled as aromatherapy.
Known Hazards:
people have gastritis or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), may not be able to take boswellia. Two case reports describe dangerously elevated INR (a test used to measure blood clotting) in people who were taking warfarin (Coumadin), a type of drug often referred to as a “blood thinner.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boswellia_sacra
