INDIAN FRANKINCENSE

Interview with the pharmacologist Prof. Dr. Hermann Philipp Theodor Ammon about the versatility of Indian frankincense and the underestimated potential of the millennia-old medicinal plant.

Professor Ammon, how did you actually get the idea to look into the effects of frankincense?

My colleagues and I had been sent a medicine called "saleil guggal" from India – with the request that we look into it. We had no idea what "saleil guggal" was. We were asked to find out if there was actually anything pharmacologically to this drug. We then did experiments on isolated cells that are capable of producing substances that cause inflammation in the human body. And to our surprise, we found that this drug from India actually seemed to work. We separated boswellic acids from the resin and used them again in our tests – with positive results.

What did most doctors say about it at first?

For a long time I was laughed at. They said "Frankincense? You must be crazy". That belongs in the church. But in the meantime, millions are being made from incense products. And the trend is rising. But unfortunately there is still no approved medicine in Germany.

Olibanum, the resin of the frankincense tree, has been used as a remedy for thousands of years. Why do we nevertheless usually only associate the plant with incense on spiritual occasions?

It had simply fallen into oblivion as a remedy in the West. Olibanum was part of the German pharmacopoeia until the middle of the 20th century and was prescribed by doctors. In 1938, Gerhard Madaus' "Lehrbuch der Biologischen Heilmittel" (Textbook of Biological Remedies) still mentioned internal uses, including for hoarseness, gout, rheumatism, bladder and kidney ailments. Olibanum was used externally in the form of ointments and plasters, for example for boils. However, due to the rapid development of synthetic chemical substances and the advance of "evidence-based medicine", olibanum had no chance, as there was no scientific data available for this resin.

What has Ayurveda been using Indian frankincense for, for thousands of years?

According to the ancient definition, frankincense is used for diseases that are associated with an excess of pitta, with too much fire. So essentially for inflammatory diseases. Indian frankincense helps, for example, with diseases of the nervous system, intestinal diseases, coughs, hoarseness, colds.

In ancient times, olibanum was also used by doctors such as Hippocrates or Galen for diseases of the musculoskeletal system, the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract, the skin, the reproductive organs and even for tumours.

These applications were also found in the Middle Ages up to modern times.

What makes frankincense so valuable?

The ingredients of frankincense, the boswellic acids, have an antiinflammatory effect. They inhibit the activity of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase, a key enzyme in inflammation.

Today, there are more than 250 publications dealing with chemical analysis of the ingredients of olibanum, investigating mechanisms of anti-inflammation but also the effect on factors of the immune system as well as on various tumour cells. The boswellic acids present in frankincense push back water accumulations that form around a tumour. This can then be better treated surgically.

Is boswellia already used in Germany?

In Germany, there is currently no product made from the resin of boswellia serrata that has been approved as a medicinal product. However, as the resin is part of the European Pharmacopoeia, there is the possibility of a prescription by the doctor. Specialised pharmacies produce a medicine. In India, preparations are approved and available in tablet form. They can be imported to Germany and prescribed by the doctor. If a prescription is presented, they can be obtained through the pharmacy.

INDIAN FRANKINCENSE