Frankincense (Boswellia species): From the selection of traditional applications to the novel phototherapy for the prevention and treatment of serious diseases

3^rd International Conference and Exhibition on Traditional & Alternative Medicine

August 03-05, 2015 Birmingham, UK

Rafie Hamidpour, Soheila Hamidpour, Mohsen Hamidpour and Mina Shahlari

Pars Bioscience, USA

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Altern Integr Med

Abstract :

Frankincense (Ru Xiang; Boswellia Species), the resinous extract from the trees of the genus Boswellia, has been used for centuries in cultural ceremonies, as a cosmetic agent, and as a traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, especially inflammatory diseases including asthma, arthritis, cerebral edema, chronic pain syndrome, chronic bowel diseases, cancer, and some other illnesses. Boswellic acids are the active compounds of frankincense and AKBA (3â�?�?Oâ�?�?acetylâ�?�?11â�?�?ketoâ�?�?�?²â�?�?boswellic acid) is the most important and effective acid among them. Some studies have shown that the use of frankincense can also improve the learning and enhance the memory in animals and human beings. It seems that frankincense might have a potential ability to be used as an alternative natural medicine not only for chronic and inflammatory diseases but also for brain and memory disorders. Frankincense (RU Xiang; Boswellia Species) is a French word, meaning â�?�?pure incense.â�? It is popularly known as Indian olibanum, salai guggal, loban or kundur. It has been used as incense, in fumigating preparations for religious rituals and cultural ceremonies, and as a traditional remedy for treating various diseases. The oleogum resins are secreted by trees of the Boswellia species which are tropical, deciduous trees and usually grow as small trees or shrubs with limited natural growing range. This has been extended by cultivation to meet the worldwide demand. The resin is obtained by making scrapes in the trunk of the various Boswellia species (Burseraceae), and collecting the dried resin gums from the trees later. Good quality resin is produced only for 3 years, after which the quality of the collected resin decreases significantly; therefore, the tree should be left to rest for some years after the harvesting period.

Biography :

Email: rafie@parsbioscience.com