Frankincense Q&A

A Member writes:

I have a blog question for you if you wouldn't mind commenting.  A couple people have asked me about the anti-cancer properties of the herb Boswellia serrata and our Frankincense essential oil, Boswellia carteri, and whether or not these can both be used - or what the difference is.

 

There was a recent article in the Good Health magazine at Natural Pantry that says Boswellia serrata, not carteri, is the type most often associated with medicinal properties - which is what is prompting the question.  In my own research I'm not finding anything clear about the difference other than it seems the most research has been done on B serrata and very little on B carteri.   I also read on one source that if Frankincense essential oil is steam distilled it neutralizes some of the medicinal effect, so the CO2 is the preferred extract for medicinal properties.

 

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

Thank you for this very great question!  Most of the research available has been done on Boswellia serrata.  Surprisingly little reasearch has been done on Boswellia carterii, and its relative Boswellia freanna.  Yet all of these are used--sometimes interchangeably--by local indigenous peoples and aromatherapists, to support cancer and tumor recovery, in addition to many other medicinal uses.

In my own practice, I put a lot of emphasis on the information that I get through my relationship with the oils themselves.  I do pay attention to the oils' chemistry, and the common uses that are known by herbalists.  Yet I find that this is not enough for me. 

Some very important aspects of healing with plant medicine, in my humble opinion, are direct experience through usage, and the advice that each plant spirit offers.  (I realize that many of our readers may not have a belief system that allows for direct communication--but if I did not share this huge part of my practice, my communication with you all would not be authentic!  Please know that I am not insisting that others should try to make this connection for themselves--I am just explaining how it works for me).

All of these species are similar in their chemical composition.  When I was first working as an aromatherapist, years ago, I was faced with a need for essential oils that would help support recovery from brain cancer.  Boswellia carterii (along with several other oils) was one that I chose to work with for this purpose.  

The woman that was seeking assistance for this condition was muscle tested (using kinesiology) for the oils that would help her body recover.  Boswellia carterii was one of the strongest oils tested.  

As I was making the oil blend for her to take home with her, I connected with the spirit of this oil, and "saw" the tumor shrinking; in my vision, the oil turned into a golden light and literally dissolved it.  This vision is still clear and with me today, as it was so strong of an experience that all of my doubt about her prospects for recovery dissolved and I felt a sense of peace and certainty for her recovery.  She did in fact recover and is still living happily at this time.

After having this experience of supporting the healing of cancer with Boswellia carterii, I began to test it for nearly everyone who came into my office with a form of this disease.  I can say that I grew to trust in the effectiveness of this oil, through experience.  It was so very effective.  

I do feel that the CO2 extract is closer to the natural state of the plant's resin, which seems to make a difference with Frankincense essential oil (but not with every oil).   Again, this is just my own intuitive feeling and not based on any hard science.  The frequency that I sense from the CO2 extract is much more full of life force than the steam distilled oil, which feels flat to me.

 I  welcome comments from other readers on this subject--and thank you all for your input!

Kathryn