HERBAL MONOGRAPHS FRANKINCENSE /319Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New
York 1980.
Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,
^tk 4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag
Heidelberg 1996.
Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
Teuscher E, Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologic Chemie,
Pharmakologie, 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994.
Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel. 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
mbH Stuttgart 1997.
Wagner H. Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
York 1995.
Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
Stuttgart 1997.# Frankincense
Boswellia carteri
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the tree is the resin
gum exuded when incisions are made in the bark of the
trunk.Flower and Fruit: The flowers are solitary on short stalks
and single axillary inflorescences. The calyx is small, 5-
toothed and perennial. The corolla has 5 elongated petals,
and there are 5 stamens. The long anthers fall early. The fruit
is a capsule divided into 3 parts with a seed in each section.
The seeds are surrounded by a wide membranous leaf.Leaves, Stem and Root: Boswellia carteri is a richly foliated
tree whose leaves alternate unevenly on the branches to the
tips. The 10 pairs and one leaflet are short-stalked, elongat-
ed, blunt, serrate, finely pubescent and mostly alternate. The
base of the leaf is a fleshy cup-shaped disc that is larger than
the corolla. The plant grows on few roots, which appear to be
- fused with the stony soil via an inert mass.
Habitat: Boswellia carteri is found in Somalia and parts of
Saudi Arabia.Production: (Indian) Frankincense or Olibanum is the
hardened gum resin of Boswellia carteri, which exudes when
incisions are made in the trunk. It is collected after being
allowed to harden in the open air for about three weeks.
Not to be Confused With: The exuded gum resin of the trunk
of Boswellia serrata also is called Frankincense or Olibanum.Other Names: OlibanumACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Volatile oil (5-9%): chief components 1-octyl acetate (sliare
60%), 1-octanol (share 12.7%), including as well alpha-
pinene (3.5%), incensol (2.7%)Resins (60%): components including among others alpha-
boswellic acid, beta-boswellic acid, methyl ester of 3-acetyl-
pVboswellic acidMucilages (12-20%)EFFECTS
Externally, Frankincense can cause mild irritation of the
skin. Internally, it is a mild carminative.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
The drug is considered obsolete for medicinal use because its
mode of action has not been documented. In vitro, the alpha
and beta boswellic acids showed antimicrobial activity and
inhibited the complementary system. The mucin, triterpene
and essential oil content make application for respiratory
conditions and its use for wounds seem plausible.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
The drug is considered obsolete, even though no health
hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the
proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages.DOSAGE
Preparation: The Frankincense resin is obtained by tapping
the bark and leaving the exudate for about three months,
during which time it hardens slightly, allowing the resin to
be collected.LITERATURE
Ammon HPT, Entziindliche Darmerkrankungen: Weihrauch bei
Colitis ulcerosa, siehe auch folgenden Artikel. In: DAZ
137(3): 125. 1997.
Ammon HPT, Hemmstoffe der Leukotrienbiosynthese. In: DAZ
137(3): 139-40. 1997.
Ammon HPT, Weihrauch - ein neuer Weg in der Therapie der
•"Entziindungen. In: DAZ 132(45).2442. 1991.
Ammon S, Ein pflanzliches Antirheumaticum. In: DAZ
131(19):972. 1991.
Ammon T, Lipoxygenasehemmer aus Weihrauch. In: DAZ
133(37):3295. 1993.
Anonym, Weihrauchtherapie. In: DAZ 134(4):324-325. 1995.
Hoernlein RF et al., Die Hemmung der 5-Lipoxygnesae durch
Acetyl-11-keto-P-Boswelliasaure (AKBA): Struktur-
Wirkungsbeziehungen. In: 8. Fruhjahrstagung der DPhG, Salzau,
Abstracts, in PUZ 25(3): 140. 1996.