As they made their iconic trek from the Far East to witness the invaluable gift of the newborn King, the three wise men from the biblical account of the birth of Jesus came bearing their own gifts. One of them, frankincense, possesses a value much more significant than just a fragrant incense. It demonstrates powerful anti-cancer effects that even in modern times legitimize this precious oil as being truly fit for a king.
Frankincense Essential Oil Uses
Frankincense, also known as olibanum, has been used for thousands of years and is a popular type of essential oil used to help:
- fight disease-causing inflammation
- support heightened immunity
- relieve chronic stress
- reduce pain
- prevent dangerous infections
- reduce the signs of aging and improve overall beauty
- decrease the appearance of scars
But many people remain unaware of the added cancer-fighting potential of this precious serum, which researchers from the University of Leicester in the UK (among others), confirmed through rigorous scientific testing.
Also known as boswellia, frankincense claims as part of its vast nutrient profile a unique compound known as acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, or AKBA for short. Scientific tests have determined that AKBA is a sworn enemy of cancer. With funding from the government of Oman, researchers from the University of Leicester were able to uncover how frankincense may prove to be a safe and effective therapy for women who suffer from ovarian cancer – one of the leading causes of cancer in women.
Frankincense and Cancer: Frankincense Essential Oil Benefits
Even in patients with late-stage ovarian cancer – which is exceedingly difficult to treat using conventional cancer treatment methods – the researchers discovered that the AKBA found in frankincense oil demonstrated clear efficacy.
Here’s what Kamla Al-Salmani, lead author of the paper and a PhD student at the University’s Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine department, had to say about their findings in late 2013:
After a year of studying the AKBA compound with ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro, we have been able to show it is effective at killing cancer cells. Frankincense is taken by many people with no known side effects. This finding has enormous potential to be taken to a clinical trial in the future and developed into an additional treatment for ovarian cancer.
Frankincense Essential Oil and Cancer
Related research into AKBA has shown that this unique substance is also effective against other forms of cancer as well, including breast, colon, and prostate cancers. And the evidence suggests that frankincense isn’t just a supplemental treatment to go along with chemotherapy and radiation; in some cases it may actually be preferential as a replacement.
The reason for this is that frankincense shows demonstrable effectiveness in a few areas where chemotherapy isn’t all that effective, particularly with regards to ovarian cancer. Commenting on the study’s findings, Dr. Mark Evans, who heads the program of which Al-Salmani is a student, explained that certain cancer cell lines that don’t respond to chemotherapy are notably responsive to frankincense.
Though commonly mixed with a carrier oil such as saponified coconut oil or jojoba oil and applied topically, frankincense can also be consumed orally by putting one or two drops of the oil into a beverage. Purity and quality is extremely important when using essential oils – especially if you are ingesting essential oils. Always be sure to consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner versed in the proper use of essential oils before undertaking such a regimen – especially for cancer-fighting purposes.
Editor’s Note: This article originally published August 2015 and was updated and republished August 2017
Article Summary
You may know frankincense as being one of the gifts the three wise men brought baby Jesus, but this precious oil also has demonstrated powerful anti-cancer effects.
Frankincense (also known as olibanum), has been used for thousands of years and is a popular type of essential oil used to help:
- fight disease-causing inflammation
- support heightened immunity
- relieve chronic stress
- reduce pain
- prevent dangerous infections
- reduce the signs of aging and improve overall beauty
- decrease the appearance of scars
Researchers from the University of Leicester in the UK announced back in 2013 that frankincense may prove to be a safe and effective therapy for women who suffer from ovarian cancer.
Related research into a compound found in frankincense – AKBA – has shown is may also be effective against other forms of cancer including breast, colon, and prostate cancers.
Purity and quality is extremely important when using essential oils. Always work with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using essential oils for any health purposes.
If you live in the U.K. Then check out the frankincense store in London, they sell high quality oils and resins some of which are ingestible.
Hi.. can you please let me know which store in London.. txs
http://www.thefrankincensestore.com/
If I had lung cancer I would put baking soda and water into a nebulizer and inhale that 3 times a day to alkalize and stop the cancer growth. Very effective treatment for the cost of mere pocket change. Milk thistle to clean the liver and optimize its function. Then eat raw fruits and veges to get my minerals and enzymes . Stay away from boxed,canned processed foods, food preservatives. They give you calories without rebuilding cells
The use of Frankincense comes from the 6 thousand year old healing system of Ayurveda. We have people ingest the resin for cancer. You can find more about this protocol, or make an appointment here–http://www.curanderahealing.com/healing-work.html
For lung cancer we also use the following Ayurvedic plant medicines: CURCUMA LONGA (CURCUMIN)
Owing to its rich medicinal properties, Curcumin is a widely used herb in case of cancer. Many malignant cancers have found curcumin to be very helpful. Anti-oxidants present in the herb reduce the free- radicals from the body thereby improving the health and immunity. Curcumin herb has rich anti-diabetic properties that make it a wonderful herb to use for diabetic patients. It is a famous Chinese medicine to relieve digestive and liver related diseases. Its anti- inflammatory properties make it a strong herb for various allergies, infections and inflammations. The herb has the power to fight against toxins and infections owing to its rich anti-biotic properties. It is used in many cosmetics due to its beneficial actions on the skin. We use Curcuma longa to prepare Curcumin capsules.
WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (ASHWAGANDHA)
The ancient Ayurvedic herb Ashwagandha is a multiple benefit herb. It was beneficial effects over the complete human body in a natural way. Ashwagandha helps in cases impotency, stress, constipation, rheumatism and many more chronic ailments. A look at these disorders tells us that they are all related to our life style. The increase in stress and manifold decrease in a healthy diet and lifestyle leads to stress induced disorders including many neurological disorders. People usually complain of stress, fatigue, memory and bodily weakness. Most of us face issues of low stamina and endurance power.
Ashwagandha herb plays a vital role in such cases. It is a great antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to promote overall well-being of the body and nourishes it with strength and immunity. Apart from these, the Ayurvedic herbal supplement for work out has potential powers to nourish the brain to make the functioning of the brain quicker and sharper. It has dynamic results on the male sexual system as it facilitates quicker and longer lasting erections. We at planet Ayurveda provide you the best of Ashwagandha benefits in KACHNAAR GUGGUL.
GILOY (GUDUCHI)
It improves immunity in a natural way. Calcium deficiency in the body can be effectively managed with this herb. It is nature’s best herb to maintain homeostasis in the body and prevent diseases. Giloy is added to GILOY CAPSULES.
COMMIPHORA MUKUL (GUGGUL)
Guggul has highly potent rejuvenating properties. It revitalizes cells and therefore rejuvenates them. Its purifying properties as well as lipid- regulating properties make it a wonderful herb for many health tonics. It is useful for people who have low haemoglobin and are anemic. It is useful in many heath conditions as it has proved its versatility in several conditions. The effect it has on cholesterol and triglyceride levels indirectly protects the heart from atherosclerosis. This property of the Guggul ayurvedic herb helps to prevent the oxidization of cholesterol and therefore control the subsequent hardening of the arteries. The herb is beneficial for hypothyroidism related disorders. The herb promotes the metabolism and therefore aids in weight loss. Guggul is used in the preparation of Kachnaar guggul.
BAMBUSA ARUDINACEA (VANSHLOCHAN)
This Ayurvedic herb acts as a suppressant of cough and help keep the respiratory system clean. It helps in problems like dry cough and sore throat. We use this herb in Kaas-har churna.
PIPER LONGUM (PIPPALI)
Pippali is very effective in case of mucus and cold conditions in the lungs. It enhances vasodilatation and blood circulation to the lungs. It has decongestant, bronchodilator and expectorant properties. It rejuvenates the lungs. People who are prone to frequent colds can get relief from the symptoms by using Pippali. This herb is used in our product kaas-har churna.
VASAKA (MALABAR NUT TREE)
The plant acts as an antibacterial and antifungal herb. It has anti-dyspepsia activity. Its power has been proved as an abortifacient and uterotonic agent. It also has anti-asthmatic activity, bronchodilatory and even wound healing activity. It can generally help diseases like anthrax, throat diseases, tuberculosis, jaundice, scabies, pneumonia and contagious abortions. We use Vasaka to prepare Vasaka churna.
OCIMUM TENUIFLORUM (TULSI)
Tulsi has a strong aroma and thus forms components of various herbal products and teas. It is especially beneficial to the throat and chest. The Tulsi herb has wonderful antioxidant properties and it is believed to remove anti-oxidants from the body. It is believed to help everyday infections like common cold, flu and headaches too. Tulsi leaves are used to prepare tea to relieve common cold. It helps reduce stress and maintain overall emotional balance. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial in respiratory inflammations like rhinitis and sinusitis. The regular intake of Tulsi helps give relief from croupy cough. Tulsi is a part of various cough syrups and prevents cold, cough, and flu. We prepare Tulsi capsules with this herb.
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Does anybody know whether Frankincense is safe to use during chemo? I read one article that said Frankincense could actually interfere with the efficacy of chemo, basically that in protecting the body against the effects of chemo, that it would essentially protect the cancer cells along with the healthy cells. I’m very much against chemo, but my mother has myelodysplastic syndrome and has chosen chemo. I desperately want to find some natural therapies that she can use to help boost her immune system while she undergoes chemo, but not if it will interfere with the path she has chosen. I know she would never take it internally, but I was hoping I could rub Frankincense on her feet or maybe diffuse it??? I’m also trying to get her to take ginger. So far she’ll only eat the Reeds Ginger Candy, but that’s got to be better than nothing?
Sugar fuels cancer like gas on a fire. Stay away from ginger candy – that won’t be the best way to get ginger. Better to make fresh juices with organic greens, green apple (sour) and ginger. It will also be full of enzymes, and would benefit to drink every hour.. Adopt a regulate detox protocol, such as coffee enemas.
Sugar fuels cancer like gas on a fire and yet everything you mentioned contains sugars. Defining “organic greens” would be helpful since some vegetables contain sugar. Then you say avoid ginger candy and yet mention ginger?
Most likely it is spinach-and-kale-like greens:) so don’t worry about sugar to be too much
Hello Penny, the use of Frankincense comes from the healing system of Ayurveda. We use the RESIN, NOT essential oils. You can find the highest quality resin on this page http://www.curanderahealing.com/store/c13/INFLAMMATION.html. For breast cancer we also use several other Ayurvedic plant medicines and a certain diet. You can find out more about these here
HOw do u use the resins? I’ve checked the site u mentioned and they sell Boswelia in capsules and also in powder. If I buy the powder, can I just put them in the capsules? I’ve a capsule maker.
I’m confused. The article was about the oils… so are the studies about resins or oils? Which are most effective?
I really think a combination of turmeric and boswellia helped my husband’s colon cancer. The scans showed smaller lymph nodes after he had taken it, but the boswellia gave him a rash, so he refuses to continue taking it. He doesn’t know if it was the real reason his nodes shrunk, and isn’t willing to have the rash on his abdomen. I don’t have the links handy, but there are promising studies on pubmed.gov involving boswellia ad turmeric used on mice.
Would anybody have here an experience using Frankincense to cure Fibrocystic breast disease? Mind sharing and what the results were please? I’ve read in some post in another website that they use such protocols in combination with Lavender and/or castor oil. What would be a SAFE and not so expensive oil to use? Right now what I use is the blue bottled Radha Oil– does anybody know this or used it? Thanks for your kind response.
What about RCC kidney cancer and using Frankincense?
Which species of Boswellia do you recommend for breast cancer?
I would like to know this too Hilary, did you ever find out?
Research Benefits of Sacred Frankincense from Oman, I hope this helps.
Which species of boswellia is best for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer?
is it possible black seed oil instead of olibanum oil?
Where do I get the franckinese oil from??? And will this brand work for cancer ?
Young Living Essential Oils are the highest quality essential oils and were the ones used in many of the studies of its efficacy.
http://www.thefrankincensestore.com/
Ty, we would like to know if CBD and frankincense together help with brain cancer as well as other forms of cancer.
Hello, Kathy!
Thank you for reading the post and reaching out with your question.
Unfortunately, we are not able to provide a recommendation as it would be construed as medical advice.
The best advice we can give you is to consult with one of the doctors we interviewed in the Global series. Click on the link below and it will bring you to the actual website.
http://thetruthaboutcancer.com/experts-info-sheet/
http://www.thefrankincensestore.com/
Yes…Boswellic acid has been “shown” to fight cancer in ONE study at ONE University with supplier (Oman) backing. Boswellic oil contains ZERO Beta-boswellic acid, keto-beta-boswellic acid, and acetyl-keto-beta-boswellic acid as they’re too complex to distill to get the oil. Unless you purchase the resin…you’re getting ripped off… from my research. So… how is your Boswellic Oil made should be the first question you ask about a product… that then, its is not regulated by the FDA for proof in claims or manufacturing so they could be lying on the label.
And then those sites further try and confuse/rip people off by stating it fights “cancer”… no, they don’t. It has been shown to fight CERTAIN types of cancer in a VERY limited amount of research. This is why anyone with a brain usually avoids homeopathic preventatives… you people seem to be just as dishonest as big pharma!
Frankincense oil lowered my hypertension. I also had a gerbil dying a a huge cancer tumor and I gave her Frankincense oil doterra in her water, 3 drops every 5 days. Her tumor shrunk and she is still alive and she is 4 years old now. She was on deaths door. That was the OIL! It works!
Thanks for the great testimonial of the healing powers of Frankincense, Lori!
Hi So which brand and type did u use?
Can I know further on the type of cancer she had and stage what!