Incense:
Boswellia
Genus:
Boswllia
 english name:
incense boswellia
Family:
Burseraceae
species: B. serrata, Boswellia sacra, Boswellia
socotrana, Boswellia frereana
Compounds: triterpene molecules
Parts used: resins
Properties: anti-inflammatories
Uses
internal uses:
for asthma and various inflammatory conditions; Boswellia incense
may even relieve depression.
external uses:
it purifies the environment from negative influences, stimulates
mental faculties; in
cosmetics is used to treat impure skin and sensitive skin.
Incense
is composed of aromatic biotic materials. The term incense refers
to the substance itself, rather than to the odor that it produces.
Many religious ceremonies and spiritual purificatory rites employ
incense. Incense is also used in medicine and for its aesthetic
value. Boswellia is a genus of trees known for their fragrant
resin which has many pharmacological uses particularly as anti-inflammatories.
The Biblical incense frankincense was probably an extract from
the resin of the tree, Boswellia sacra. Boswellia serrata
is Indian frankincense or Salai. It is found in Rajasthan and
Madhya Pradesh in India. Its aroma is generally considered to
be far inferior compared to B. sacra or B. frereana. Extracts
of Boswellia serrata have been clinically studied
for osteoarthritis and joint function, particularly for osteoarthritis
of the knee. Boswellia socotrana is a species
of plant in the Burseraceae family. It is endemic to Yemen. Its
natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical
or tropical dry shrubland. Boswellia frereana
only grows in northern Somalia where the locals call it "Maydi",
the king of all frankincense, used by the Coptic Church of Egypt.
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