Raw Material Introduction｜Frankincense

▎Essential Oil Introduction

Preferred from the warm and dry Galcayo region of Somalia. Located in the Galkayo region of Somalia in East Africa, it has a subtropical and tropical desert climate with high temperatures, dryness and little rainfall all year round. Frankincense grown in such climatic conditions is particularly strong.

The frankincense tree in Somalia can adapt to the barren and dry environment. The bark of the tree exudes milky white resin and has a fresh and distant aroma, just like a profound wise man slowly narrating the precipitation of history.

▎Component Analysis

｜Main component: Monoterpenes

Frankincense contains a large amount of monoterpenes, mainly α-pinene, which instantly enhances breathing and has a protective effect on mucous membranes. Bisabolene in the sesquiterpene, has a good soothing effect on inflammation. It contains a high content of different ester components, which can deepen and ease breathing, thereby giving people a sense of calm. Frankincense can also help promote blood circulation, resolve blood stasis, and has relatively long-lasting effects when applied to the body.

｜Component 1: α-pinene

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｜Comparing the differences between Somali Frankincense and Indian Frankincense

Name	Somali Frankincense	Indian Frankincense
Latin name	Boswellia carterii	Boswellia serrata
Alias	Arabic frankincense, East African frankincense	-
Origin	Somalia	India
Component	α-pinene, Bisabolene, Esters	Ethers and Esters

｜There are 4 main types of medicinal frankincense

• Boswellia carterii Birdw., distributed in Oman, Yemen, and Somalia.
• Boswellia sacra Fluck., distributed in Somalia.
• Boswellia papyrifera (Del) Hochst., distributed in Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, Central African Republic, and Chad.
• Boswellia serrata Roxb., distributed in India. Frankincense is graded based on color, purity, age, aroma, shape and origin.

 ｜Frankincense Facts

Due to its higher price, frankincense often faces counterfeit products mixed with rosin or starch, as rosin shares similar properties with frankincense. In a sampling of 50 products in 2012, 23 were found to be counterfeit, with 22 containing abietic acid and 13 containing starch. In 2017, inspections of frankincense sold in five different regions (Bozhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai, and Chongqing) revealed that they were all of Ethiopian origin. Although the abietic acid content is all less than 0.1%, it is slightly toxic and may cause health issues if used in the long-term. Therefore, checking for rosin acid content in frankincense is essential.

｜Raw Material Certifications

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▎References

1. Kazemian A, et al. Evaluating the efficacy of mixture of Boswellia carterii, Zingiber officinale, and Achillea millefolium on severity of symptoms, anxiety, and depression in irritable bowel syndrome patients. J Res Med Sci. 2017; 22: 120.
2. Yang, H.; Woo, J.; Pae, A.-N.; Um, M.-Y.; Cho, N.-C.; , J.; Lee, C.-J.; Cho, S. (2016). "α-Pinene, a major constituent of pine tree oils, enhances non-rapid eye movement sleep in mice through GABAA-benzodiazepine receptors". Molecular Pharmacology. 90 (5): 530–539.
3. Mahmoudvand, H.; Sheibani, V.; Keshavarz, H.; Shojaee, S.; Esmaeelpour, K.; Ziaali, N. (2016). Journal of Parasitology. 11 (2): 177–185
4. Mohamed, A. A., Ali, S. I., Kabiel, H. F., Hegazy, A. K., Kord, M. A., & EL-Baz, F. K. (2015). Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil and Extracts of Boswellia carteri Resin. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research, 7, 502-509.
5. Potentiating Antidepressant Action of Boswellia Serrata in Acute Models of Depression: A Preclinical Study. January 2013
6. Rafie Hamidpour, Frankincense (Frankincense Rǔ Xiāng; Boswellia Species): From the Selection of Traditional Applications to the Novel Phytotherapy for the Prevention and Treatment of Serious Diseases J Tradit Complement Med. 2013 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 221– 226.
7. Prabhakar Adake 1*, Chandrashekar R 2 , S.N. Rao 3 .Preclinical evaluation of antidepressant activity of Boswellia serrata by Tail Suspension Test. Journal No: 7725 Vol. 2 No. 5 2013.
8. Russo, E. B. (2011). "Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects". British Journal of Pharmacology. 163 (7): 1344–1364.
9. M. Z. Siddiqui. Boswellia Serrata, A Potential Antiinflammatory Agent: An Overview. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2011 May-Jun; 73(3): 255–261.
10. Nissen, L.; Zatta, A.; Stefanini, I.; Grandi, S.; Sgorbati, B.; Biavati, B.; et al. (2010). varieties (Cannabis sativa L.)". Fitoterapia. 81 (5): 413–419.
11. Krishanu Sengupta et al. Comparative Efficacy and Tolerability of 5-Loxin® and Aflapin® Against Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Clinical Study. Int J Med Sci. 2010; 7(6): 366– 377.
12. Ammon HP. Boswellic acids in chronic inflammatory diseases. Planta Med. 2006 Oct;72(12):1100-16.
13. Kimmatkar N et al. Efficacy and tolerance of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7.
14. Pungle P, et al. Immunomodulatory activity of boswellic acids of Boswellia serrata Roxb. Indian J Exp Biol. 2003 Dec;41(12):1460-2.
15. Gerhardt H. et al. Therapy of active Crohn disease with Boswellia eseratta extract. Z Gastroenterol. 2001; 39: 11-17.
16. Gupta I. et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis. Eur J Med Res 1997 Jan; 2(1): 37-43.
17. Gupta I. et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study. Eur J Med Res 1998 Nov 17;3(11): 511-4.
18. Study on the origin of frankincense (Ⅱ). Characters, microscope, TLC and HPLC identification techniques to analyze three kinds of frankincense. Wang Zhao, Sun Lei, Kang Shuai, etc. Chinese Materia Medica 2014, 37(6): 981-984. 19. Commodity survey and quality testing method research of frankincense. Zhong Mingcheng, Rao Weiwen, Xiao Cong. Chinese Modern Applied Pharmacy 2012, 26(5): 409-414. 20. Quality evaluation of frankincense commercially available in 5 different regions and inspection of rosin which is easily adulterated. Zhai Xin, Pang Kejian, Tang Hui, etc. Shi Zhen Guo Yi Guo Yao 2017, 28(8): 1866-1869.

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