Probably best known because of the Nativity story, frankincense - derived from the resin of a tree called boswellia serrata and other species of the same - has an interesting history. In Hebrew, its name is levonah, meaning "white;" in Arabic, a closely-related language, it is 'al-luban, a term referring to milk; the name of the modern country of Lebanon is derived from both. However, it came to be known as "frankincense" when crusaders - many of whom were French or "Frankish" - introduced it to Europe during the Middle Ages.
Dried frankincense is used in numerous ways, including the manufacture of perfume and aromatherapy; ancient Egyptians used burnt powdered frankincense as eyeliner. The burning of the dried c/s boswellia serrata resin has also played a part in the religious rites of all three Abrahamic traditions.
Although we cannot make any claims of its value as a medicinal herb, recent studies at John Hopkins University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have shown that the fumes of burning frankincense helped to calm nervous lab mice; the BBC reported a recent study at the University of California in which arthritis patients experienced substantial relief.
Frankincense is non-toxic and has no adverse effects, but when using natural herbs for therapeutic purposes - even organic herbs - prudence and caution is called for. The Star West name on a package containing bulk herbs is your assurance of quality and purity when you buy herbs in bulk, but be aware that such herbs contain the same active substances found in many prescription medications, albeit in lower concentrations. Seek out the counsel of a licensed herbalist if you are planning to use dried herbs for medicinal purposes.
