Evidence supporting the use of: Frankincense
For the health condition: Influenza

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Frankincense (Boswellia species) has a long history of use in traditional systems of medicine, particularly in Ayurveda and traditional Middle Eastern medicine. Its resin is often burned as incense or used in herbal preparations for its purported medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-boosting effects. In the context of influenza, there is anecdotal and traditional use of frankincense for respiratory conditions, such as coughs, bronchitis, and general respiratory inflammation. However, there is minimal direct historical documentation specifically linking frankincense to the treatment or prevention of influenza itself.

From a scientific standpoint, research has identified that frankincense contains boswellic acids, compounds with notable anti-inflammatory and some antimicrobial properties. A few in vitro studies have suggested that extracts of Boswellia may inhibit certain pathogens and modulate immune responses. However, these findings are preliminary and do not directly demonstrate efficacy against the influenza virus in humans. There are currently no well-designed clinical trials or strong preclinical studies that specifically evaluate frankincense for influenza treatment or prevention.

In summary, while frankincense is used traditionally for respiratory complaints and has some promising biological activities in laboratory settings, its use for influenza is primarily supported by traditional rather than scientific evidence, and the quality of evidence is low.

More about frankincense
More about Influenza

Other ingredients used for Influenza

Abies spectabilis
Acacia
Adenophora
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agrimony
AHCC
Algae
Allicin
Alliin
alpinia galangal
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
Anamarrhena
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
anemarrhena asphodeloides
apple cider vinegar
Asarum sieboldii
astragaloside
astragalus
avens
baicalin
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Basidiomycota
bee propolis
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
Black Hellebore
black pepper
black seed
boneset
borage
Bryonia
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
carvacrol
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
Centipeda
Chaenomeles lagenaria
chaga mushroom
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
Cistus
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
coriolus mushroom
currant
dog rose
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Elder
elderberry
elk antler
Embelia
Ephedra
eucalyptus
Euphorbia
European Elder
fat liver oil
flavanones
flavones
flowering quince
frankincense
Gallesia
ganoderma
ginger
Glehnia littoralis
glehnia root
Glycyrrhizin
goldenseal
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green chiretta
green tea
Guaco
honey loquat syrup
honeysuckle
Houttuynia
Hyperoside
Immunoglobulin G
Indian frankincense
iridoids
L-cysteine
labrador tea
Lactobacillus casei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Ledebouriella
Lentinula edodes mycelia
lichen
licorice root
little ironweed
liverwort
Lomatium
Lycium
Lycopodium
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Monolaurin
Myrobalan
Myrrh
Neoandrographolides
Nettle
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Platycodon
Polygonatum
Polygonum
Premna
quercetin
ravinsara
reishi mushroom
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
selenium
Shikimic Acid
spirulina
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
Sweet Annie
Sweet Bay
sweet wormwood
Tremella
turmeric
Umckaloabo
Vasicine
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
vitamin D
Xanthophyll
Yerba santa
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
Zingerone

Products containing frankincense

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.