The mystical powers that some herbs have still make miraculous things to impress humans and they are also useful in their everyday life. That is the reality. We, as humans, are the most adaptable creatures on Earth, but we are also the ones that are most dependable.
We cannot lie with our plants, as well as with the benefits which they give us. Certainly, one of the treasures of Nature is the Boswellia tree. The frankincense burning, as well as the use of this plant, the Boswellia is known to people since ancient times.
The tree has been mentioned in the Old Testament, and there are some clear historical facts which show that the caravans from the Middle East and Euro-Asia traded with this incense since antique times. The ancient Greeks, as well as later Romans, involved the tree in their culture and religion, while the caravans brought it from the sub-Saharan regions, through the Middle East and it played one part in the cultural mixture and diversity in this part of the world.
Believe it or not, this tree was used in ancient Egypt as well, for the same spiritual practices and it has been mentioned, as well as used in many other modern religious too. Science has also been interested in this phenomenon.
In order to observe the psychoactive effects of the incense, some researchers have administered incensole acetate, which is the primary constituent of the Boswellia resin, to mice. According to the findings of the team, the incensole acetate affects areas of the brain which help in regulating emotions, specifically activating the protein TRPV3, which is a protein that has been found within mammalian brains and is known to play a role in the protection of warmth in the skin. This impact on the mind also has a powerful anti-depressant and anxiolytic effect which can leave one in an almost vulnerable state of relaxation, where one can also lay their mind to rest and simply perceive.
The co-author of the findings, named Raphael Mechoulam said:
Despite the information stemming from ancient texts, the constituents of Boswellia had not been investigated for psychoactivity. We have found that incensole acetate, which is a Boswellia resin constituent, when is tested on mice, lowers the anxiety levels and causes anti-depressive-like behavior. Apparently, most worshipers from now assume that incense burning has only symbolic meaning, and nothing else.
Now, we can assume that frankincense is not only recognized for its ceremonial role, but it can also be a practical form of therapy when it comes to treating bouts of anxiety and depression. As it has been reported by the National Institutes of Health, the main cause of disability in the U.S. for people ages 15-44 is the main depressive disorder that affects nearly about 15 million Americans. Over 3 million of them are affected by the dysthymic disorder, which is a less severe form of depression, and over 40 million reportedly suffer from severe anxiety, which is usually connected with depression in and of itself.
In the constant struggling for peace of mind, it is very important that we are conscious and aware of all the natural methods of relaxation which the Earth has to offer us. The frankincense is very useful one, and it can be used to treat nausea, fever, as well as chest coughs, hypertension and so on.
