Date: 2004-03-05

NHPID Name

Boswellia sacra (USDA 2008)

Proper Name(s)

Boswellia sacra Flueck. (Burseraceae) ( USDA 2008 )

Common Name(s)

• Bible frankincense ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Frankincense ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Incense ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Olibanum ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )

Source Material

Stem bark resin ( Leung and Foster 1996 )

Route Of Administration

Oral ( Lu 1999 )

Dosage Form(s)

Those suited to the allowable route(s) of administration. This monograph is not intended to include food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or Purpose(s)

Statement(s) to the effect of:

• Traditionally used as an astringent  (Williamson 2002, Li 1973)
• Traditionally used as a diuretic  (Williamson 2002, Leung and Foster 1996, Li 1973)
• Traditionally used to relieve nervous problems  (Williamson 2002, Leung and Foster 1996)
• Traditionally used in TCM to promote circulation of qi  (Long 1998, Bensky and Gamble 1993)
• Traditionally used in TCM to relieve urinary disorders  (Williamson 2002, Bown 1995)
• Traditionally used in TCM to dispel wind-dampness  (Long 1998, Bensky and Gamble 1993)

Dose(s)

Adults:

Preparation: Dry

Dose(s): 3 - 8 Grams per day, gum resin

Traditional literature suggests frying the resin prior to consumption (Lu 1999; Bensky and Gamble 1986).

Duration of use

For prolonged use, consult a health care practitioner

Risk Information

Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and Warning(s):
No statement is required

Contraindication(s):
Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Known Adverse Reaction(s):
No statement is required

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the NHPD Quality of Natural Health Products Guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the Natural Health Products Ingredient Database (NHPID).

References cited

• Bensky D, Gamble A. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Revised Edition. Seattle (WA): Eastland Press, Incorporated; 1993.
• Bown D. 1995. The Herb Society of North America Encyclopedia of Modern Herbs & Their Uses. New York (NY): Dorling Kindersley Publishing Incorporated.
• Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR for Herbal Medicines, 1st edition. Montvale (NJ): Medical Economics Company; 1998.
• Kapoor LD. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants: Herbal Reference Library. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2001
• Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, 2nd edition. Hoboken (NJ): John Wiley & Sons, Inc; 2003.
• Li SC. Chinese Medicinal Herbs. San Francisco (CA): Georgetown Press; 1973
• Long Z. The Chinese Materia Medica. Xue Yuan (China): Academy Press; 1998
• Lu H. A Comprehensive Textbook of Chinese Herbology. Vancouver (BC): Academy of Oriental Heritage; 1999
• McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. 2000. Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition. Austin(TX): American Herbal Products Association.
• USDA 2008: ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2008-01-21]. Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl
• Williamson EM, editor. 2002. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. London (UK): Churchill Livingstone.