The efficacy and function of Chinese medicine frankincense

Frankincense is a very precious Chinese medicinal material, and most people have probably never heard of it. Frankincense only grows in tropical regions and is mainly made from the resin produced by olive trees and frankincense trees. It is called frankincense mainly because its shape is very similar to female nipples. Moreover, frankincense can not only be used as a Chinese medicinal material, many people like to use it to make soap. So what are the effects and functions of frankincense?

What is Frankincense?

What is frankincense? Frankincense is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the resin that exudes from the bark of the frankincense tree of the olive family and other plants of the same genus. It is mainly produced in Somalia, Ethiopia and other places in Africa. It is divided into Somali frankincense and Ethiopian frankincense, and each type of frankincense is divided into frankincense beads and raw frankincense.

Frankincense appears in the form of long oval, milky, round particles or glued together into irregular lumps of varying sizes. The larger ones are up to 2cm (frankincense beads) or 5cm (raw frankincense). The surface is yellowish white, translucent, and covered with yellowish white powder. The color deepens with long storage. It is brittle and softens when heated. The broken surface has a glassy or waxy luster. It has a unique aroma and a slightly bitter taste.

The efficacy and function of frankincense

What are the effects and functions of frankincense? In daily life, if you accidentally suffer from injuries, sores, carbuncles, etc., you can use the traditional Chinese medicine frankincense for treatment. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, relieving qi, relieving pain, reducing swelling and promoting tissue regeneration. In addition to these, what other effects and functions does frankincense have?

Frankincense has the effects of promoting blood circulation, relieving qi, relieving pain, reducing swelling and promoting tissue regeneration. It is used for chest pain, heart pain, epigastric pain, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, postpartum blood stasis, abdominal pain due to masses, rheumatic pain, tendon and vein spasm, traumatic injury, carbuncle and ulcer.

The specific functions are as follows:

1. Promote blood circulation and relieve pain.

Frankincense is pungent, bitter and warm, with a fragrant aroma. Its pungent taste can disperse, its bitter taste can break, its warm taste can unblock, and its fragrant aroma can travel. It enters the heart, liver and spleen meridians, and then enters the blood, so it can promote blood circulation and relieve pain. "Compendium of Materia Medica" says: "Frankincense is fragrant and enters the heart meridian, promoting blood circulation and relieving pain, so it is an important medicine for carbuncles, ulcers, and heart and abdominal pain." It is often used to treat dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, rheumatic pain, heart and abdominal pain, bruises, carbuncles, ulcers and other symptoms.

2. Detoxify and reduce swelling.

Frankincense enters the heart, liver and spleen meridians. The spleen governs muscles, and pain, itching and sores are all caused by heart fire. This medicine enters these two meridians, and its spicy fragrance can disperse all lingering knots. "Compendium of Materia Medica" records that frankincense "eliminates carbuncles and clears away toxins." Therefore, this product is often used to treat sores, carbuncles, etc.

3. Promote tissue regeneration and relieve itching.

"Ming Yi Bie Lu" says: Frankincense "treats wind addiction, sores, itching and poison. "Medical Records of Combining Chinese and Western Medicine" states that frankincense has the effect of "regenerating flesh". Therefore, since ancient times, this product has been often used to treat sores and ulcers that do not heal for a long time, as well as eczema and itching. It can be taken orally or used externally.

4. Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects.

Frankincense can promote the increase of multinuclear leukocytes to phagocytize dead blood cells and cells, improve metabolism, and thus play an anti-inflammatory role.

5. Pain caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis.

This product is pungent and dispersing, bitter and laxative, and enters both the blood and qi. It can relieve stagnant qi in the blood, resolve blood stasis and relieve pain. It can promote the flow of qi and blood in the viscera internally and penetrate the meridians externally. It can be used for all pain syndromes caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis.

6. Protect the stomach.

Frankincense has the effect of inhibiting experimental peptic ulcer. Its mechanism may be related to local protection. Burning frankincense can repel mosquitoes. Because of this property, some families like to use frankincense in their homes to prevent mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus, malaria, dengue fever, etc.

Taboos of frankincense

What are the contraindications of frankincense? Although frankincense has good effects on the human body, it has contraindications for use. First of all, pregnant women and people with weak stomachs should use it with caution.

Adverse reactions: Frankincense is highly irritating to the gastrointestinal tract and can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. In addition, it can also cause allergic reactions, manifested as stomach discomfort, fatigue, fever, restless sleep, skin flushing, itchy rashes, irritability, redness and swelling of the ears, etc. Therefore, clinically, pregnant women, people with weak stomachs, and those with ulcerated carbuncles should not use it. Atropine, vitamin C, fluphenazine, etc. can be used to treat gastrointestinal irritation symptoms. Antiallergic drugs and hormone drugs can be used if necessary.