Frankincense and Myrrh: Chinese Herbs Useful for Pain and Menstrual Cramps

The frankincense and myrrh are two herbs mentioned repeatedly in the Bible. Originially incense has been used in India as incense for worship in biblical times, when Egyptians used myrrh to embalm the bodies of the pharaohs. These shrubs or small trees, Burseraceae family produce a liquid when drilling the crust. The liquid resin is dry or cooked with vinegar and honey or medicinal purposes in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). While both the trees originated in the Arabian Peninsula, is known to come to China since 400 AD, in which the exploration of its medicinal properties has been detected. Whata € ™ s surprising is that both the resin of these trees is used in combination or TCM herbal formulas mainly to unlock the flow of blood, the treatment of traumatic wounds and stop the pain. They are excellent for abdominal pain during menstruation and irregular menstruation. These plant-based resins can also be used in combination to help treat amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain). Moreover, both can be used outdoors. Frankincense is known to facilitate the tendons and muscles, while myrrh is used for non-healing wounds such as bedsores. Food supplements are produced by the active ingredient in incense, known as boswellic acid. The researchers have identified as boswellic acid, a potent anti-inflammatory agent. This acid inhibits 5-LOX (lipoxygenase) system, which is involved with the respiratory enzyme which produces leukotrienes and thrombaxanes (inflammatory molecules) from fatty acids. Drugs that inhibit this pathway are commonly used to treat arthritis, asthma and ulcerative colitis. Unlike conventional NSAIDs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, the accepted treatments for pain and inflammation, Boswellia preparations do not seem to cause stomach irritation in small doses and does not cause liver damage, such as paracetamol. The anti-inflammatory boswellic acid are effective in reducing pain and stiffness associated with back pain. Guggulsterone is the active ingredient in the resin of myrrh. After many years of research, Guggulsterone, also known as Guggul, became popular in the United States for its cholesterol-lowering properties.1 inhibition of FXR gene in the nucleus of liver cells, this leads to the excretion of more efficient cholesterol in the liver, thus reducing serum cholesterol levels. It's amazing what comes from a tree in the overgrown wilderness. Traditional Chinese medicine recognizes frankincense and myrrh, like the blood that regulate herbs that complement each other. It strengthen the blood, dispel blood stasis and reduce inflammation, relieve pain and promote healing. It is more than coincidental that the myrrh is commonly used in TCM for menstrual irregularities and Western medicine research corroborates Guggul € ™ s ability to improve liver function. TCM theory emphasizes the importance of blood to the liver for a healthy, normal menstrual function, and recognizes the blood stagnates in the liver as a cause of painful menstruation. The powerful medicinal properties of these plants is not discussed, because the compelling scientific evidence on the chemicals in these herbs and resins based on the history of frankincense and myrrh. Certainly it is surprising that nature has given us powerful drug for menstrual cramps, arthritis, cholesterol, and pain. Nature has had a unique way to serve our needs today and in ancient times .. 1 (Tripathi YB, et all thyroid-stimulating action of Z-Guggulsterone obtained from Commiphora mukul. Planta Med 1984; 1:78).