Evidence supporting the use of: Frankincense
For the health condition: Congestion (sinus)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Frankincense has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in regions of the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It has been used as a remedy for respiratory issues such as sinus congestion, bronchitis, and asthma. The resin, when burned or used as an essential oil, produces aromatic compounds that are believed to help open the airways and ease breathing. In Ayurvedic and traditional Arabic medicine, frankincense was often included in inhalations or topical applications for its expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, scientific research specifically validating frankincense for sinus congestion is limited. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest anti-inflammatory properties of boswellic acids (the active components in frankincense), which could theoretically help reduce swelling in the nasal passages, but direct clinical evidence in humans for sinus congestion is lacking. Most of the support for frankincense in this context thus remains traditional, with anecdotal and historical accounts outweighing rigorous scientific validation.
Other ingredients used for Congestion (sinus)
AllspiceAloe vera
alpha-pinene
basil
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta-pinene
betel
black currant
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
capsaicinoids
chamomile
chen pi
clove
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
fennel
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
onion
green tea
horseradish
licorice root
lovage
mint
mustard seed
spruce
oregano
Peppermint
perilla
pomegranate
quercetin
rosemary
sage
shiitake mushroom
spearmint leaf
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
Wasabi
boneset
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
mugwort
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
ferula assafoetida
inula racemosa
anise
blackboard tree
lemongrass
yerba santa
coltsfoot
chrysanthemum
juniper berries
sweet flag
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
eucalyptus
menthol oil
horehound
Sichuan pepper
cayenne pepper
sea salt
Agastache
Alpha-terpineol
Allicin
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Asafoetida
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Asteracea
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Alantolactone
Atractylone
Black Seed
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bicarbonate
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Bitter Grass
Bougainvillea
Bee hive
Bioflavonoids
black salt
Bee products
Buddha's Hand
Borage
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Coriander
Citrus
Cineole
Cajuput
Chinese Raisintree
Carvone
Cistus
Calamus
Cinnamaldehyde
Carthamus
Chondrus
Dragonhead
Ephedra
European Elder
English Horsemint
Echinacea
Elder
Ephedrine
Eugenol
Fang-Feng
Frankincense
Gnaphalium
gamma-terpinene
Gallesia
Gardenia jasminoides
Galangal
Honey
Hedyotis
Houttuynia
Horsemint
Isatis
Long Pepper
Ivy
Ledebouriella
Litsea
Lomatium
Laggera pterodonta
Limonene
Ligustrazin
Labrador Tea
Ligusticum
Mustard
Marjoram
Marsh Tea
Monoterpenes
Meadow sage
Mucolase
Nardostachys
Nigella Seed
Nutmeg
Osha
Orris
Osmanthus
Phellodendron
Pepper
Paris polyphylla
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Rhus coriaria
Ravinsara
Sabadilla
Sichuan Lovage
Sophora
Smartweed
Sesquiterpenes
Solanum indicum
Sambucus nigra
Sagebrush
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Sundew
Sassafras
Thymus
Vervain
Vasicine
Viola
Vasicinone
Wulinshen
Winter Savory
Yuzu
Yerba buena
Zedoary
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by Frankincense
Abdominal PainArthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bronchitis
Burns and Scalds
Canker Sores
Colds (general)
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Congestion (sinus)
Cuts
Depression
Diabetes
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Epilepsy
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Inflammation
Influenza
Injuries
Insomnia
Memory and Brain Function
Migraine
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Nervousness
Neuralgia and Neuritis
Pain (general remedies for)
Psoriasis
Rashes and Hives
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sinus Infection
Skin (infections)
Stress
Ulcers
Wounds and Sores