Tag: frankincense

Aromatherapy – an overview

Today’s post is about Aromatherapy.

I recently read an interesting article in a journal from the Natural Therapists Association about this topic. I thought I would share an overview.

What is Aromatherapy?

Essential oils have been used for therapeutic purposes for approximately 6,000 years. Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and the science of utilising these essential oils to balance, harmonise and promote wellbeing and health.
It is a well-documented, natural therapy that has been practiced throughout the world for centuries. The first methods of essential oil distillations were found in historical Egyptian texts.
The term ‘Aromatherapy’ was first used in the early 1930’s by a French chemist – Rene` Maurice Gattefosse to describe the therapeutic action of the oils.

Aromatherapy is the term applied to the external application of essential oils such as inhalations, baths or massage. Aromatic Medicine is related to the practice of ingestible essential oils.
Today there is a revival of scientific research into the art of aromatherapy and its medical applications.

So what are ‘essential oils’?

Essential oils are one of the purest forms of plant chemistry. These oils are very different to the ones used for cooking or skin care. They are concentrated essences, much lighter than water and highly flammable. They evaporate quickly, so are usually mixed with other ingredients to trap their effectiveness.
Essential oils contain many known and unknown phytochemical elements. It is estimated that an individual essential oil can contain 300 to 400 active constituents. Because they are so concentrated, essential oils are measured in drops.

How does it work?

Considering that the oils are highly concentrated, they need to be treated with care. They should never be applied undiluted, directly to the skin. 

However here are many other ways to benefit from the active constituents of the oils. Most methods do not require specialised equipment.
Essential oils are composed of tiny molecules that are easily dissolved in alcohol and emulsifiers such as beeswax or mixed with other oils. This allows them to penetrate the skin easily.
As the essences evaporate, they are also inhaled. In this way they are absorbed via the cells that line the nasal passages.

Common uses for essential oils are
– Steam inhalation or inhalation using humidifiers or diffusers
– Massage
– Room sprays
– Oil burners/evaporators
– Compress
– Body oils and perfumes

A few of the more common oils and their uses or benefits are
Eucalyptus – an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory
Lavender – calming and also antiseptic
Peppermint – a decongestant and good for digestion
Frankincense – aids concentration

Each individual oil has a distinct chemical composition. This determines its fragrance, colour, volatility and beneficial properties.There are so many essential oils used with aromatherapy that this post would be extremely long. I will instead, occasionally focus on a particular oil to write about in future posts.

Hopefully you also have found this information interesting and you are inspired to consider how aromatherapy can assist you.

Till the next post,
Live clean n Prosper

(Sources – Australian Natural Therapists Assoc., The Encyclopaedia of Aromatherapy)

All about Boswellia

Today’s post is about a herbal supplement called Boswellia.

Scott and I have been talking to several people recently about this product. So I thought it would be a good idea to share what we know about it.

So what is Boswellia?

The Boswellia are a species of trees located in India, Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Arabian Peninsula. They produce a gum resin called Olibanum, also known as Frankincense.

Historically, Boswellia use was divided into three categories: religious, cosmetic and medicinal. The Egyptians used the gum, or frankincense, to embalm their dearly departed. The Egyptian women also made heavy kohl eyeliner by grinding it into a fine powder.

Roman and Greek Catholics also used frankincense as incense in rituals.

However, boswellia was most prominently utilised for its medicinal properties. The Chinese used boswellia as a stimulant, a topical ointment for injuries, mouthwash for mouth and throat problems, and pain reliever for menstrual discomfort.

In India, the Ayurvedic practice relied on boswellia to help treat: arthritis, bursitis, diarrhoea, urinary disorders, asthma, coughs and many other ailments.

 In todays medicine?

Over 200 different compounds have been identified in the resin of different Boswellia species that have been studied. The most active component of the resin was identified to be Boswellic acids. These acids have shown to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, and analgesic properties.

The boswellic acid in the herb assists with preventing leukotriene formation in the body. Leukotrienes have been identified as a cause of inflammation and possibly a trigger for asthma symptoms.

Common side affects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin and ibuprofen) is damage to joint cartilage in arthritic conditions. Studies have found that the boswellic acids significantly reduce damage to the cartilage caused by inflammation.

A clinical trial conducted in India has shown that the extract can reduce pain and considerably improve knee-joint functions. in some cases providing relief even within seven days. Clinical trials of the gum resin alone have shown to improve symptoms in patients with osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

(Sources –www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, www.mercola.com, ww.sciencedirect.com)

What conditions can it assist with?

Boswellia serrata can assist in reducing body inflammation.It can be used to treat conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. It’s also a painkiller, and can help inhibit cartilage loss.

It can be used to alleviate asthma and may have protective effects against diseases like leukaemia and breast cancer.

Boswellia is typically given as an extract standardised to contain 37-65% BAs (yielding 150–200 mg per capsule). It has been well tolerated in most studies with few side effects. Although a few rare symptoms have been reported including, stomach discomfort, nausea, acid reflux, or diarrhoea.

Today, you can purchase boswellia either as a resin, pill, liquid, cream or powder.

Our personal experience with boswellia has been very positive. Scott’s mother suffers from osteoarthritis and has found a significant reduction in pain and inflammation since taking it.

I hope this information helps you or a family member who may have joint pain or inflammation.

Till the next post,

Live clean n prosper