Frankincense Benefits: Why This Ancient Herb Still Has a Place in Modern Medicine

For thousands of years, frankincense has been treasured as both a sacred resin and a powerful medicinal herb. Known as Boswellia in modern herbal medicine and Ru Xiang (乳香) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this remarkable herb has been used to relieve pain, support healthy inflammation, and promote tissue healing.

Today, research on Boswellia serrata continues to validate many of the traditional uses of frankincense. While modern science focuses on its anti-inflammatory compounds called boswellic acids, Traditional Chinese Medicine has long recognized Ru Xiang for its ability to move Blood, invigorate Qi, reduce swelling, and accelerate healing after injury.

Although these systems use different language, they often describe the same therapeutic effects from different perspectives.

What Is Frankincense?

Frankincense is an aromatic resin harvested from trees in the Boswellia genus, which are native to parts of India, the Middle East, and northeastern Africa.

Many people recognize frankincense as an essential oil, but medicinally, the resin itself has been used for thousands of years. Today, standardized Boswellia extracts are commonly used to support joint health and healthy inflammatory responses, while in Chinese medicine, Ru Xiang remains an important herb in formulas designed to relieve pain and improve circulation.

What Does the Research Say?

One of the reasons Boswellia has gained so much attention is because of its naturally occurring boswellic acids, compounds that have been studied for their ability to support a healthy inflammatory response.

Research suggests Boswellia may help:

• Support healthy inflammation

• Improve mobility in people with osteoarthritis

• Reduce joint discomfort

• Support connective tissue health

• Promote recovery after musculoskeletal injuries

• Support digestive health in certain inflammatory bowel conditions

Unlike medications that simply suppress symptoms, Boswellia appears to influence several inflammatory pathways involved in the body's natural healing process. While research continues to evolve, the evidence is especially promising for joint health and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Frankincense Through the Lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, frankincense is known as Ru Xiang (乳香).

Rather than focusing solely on inflammation, Chinese medicine looks at why pain developed in the first place.

Ru Xiang is traditionally used to:

• Invigorate Blood

• Move Qi

• Relieve pain

• Reduce swelling

• Promote healing after injuries

• Encourage the formation of healthy new tissue

It is commonly prescribed for conditions involving Blood stasis, a pattern characterized by poor circulation, fixed pain, old injuries, scar tissue, and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

Because of these properties, Ru Xiang is frequently included in formulas for:

• Arthritis

• Tendon and ligament injuries

• Sprains and strains

• Chronic joint pain

• Sports injuries

• Post-surgical recovery

• Scar tissue

• Traumatic injuries

While modern research highlights Boswellia's anti-inflammatory compounds, Chinese medicine has recognized these healing properties for centuries through a different clinical framework.

Dr. Stephanie's Tip: I almost never prescribe Ru Xiang by itself. Chinese herbal medicine is like cooking—each herb has a role, but it's the combination that creates the therapeutic effect.

For example, one patient with arthritis may need herbs that warm the channels and dispel cold, while another may need herbs that nourish the Liver and Kidneys or clear heat and dampness. Although both patients have joint pain, the underlying pattern is different, so their herbal formulas should be too.

This is one of the greatest strengths of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Rather than asking, "What's the best herb for arthritis?" we ask, "Why is this person experiencing arthritis?" Treating the underlying pattern—not just the diagnosis—often leads to more meaningful, long-term results.

Frankincense and Myrrh: A Classic Combination

One of the most famous herbal pairings in Traditional Chinese Medicine is Ru Xiang (Frankincense) and Mo Yao (Myrrh).

These two resins have been prescribed together for centuries because they complement one another beautifully.

Together they help:

• Move Qi and Blood

• Relieve pain

• Reduce swelling

• Promote tissue repair

• Support healing after injury

This classic combination is still widely used today for traumatic injuries, chronic pain, scar tissue, and musculoskeletal conditions.

How I Use Boswellia in Clinical Practice

As both an acupuncturist and a functional medicine practitioner, I view Boswellia as one piece of a much larger healing plan.

Depending on the individual, I may recommend a high-quality Boswellia supplement to support a healthy inflammatory response while also using acupuncture to improve circulation, reduce pain, and restore normal movement. When appropriate, Chinese herbal formulas, nutrition, and lifestyle modifications are incorporated to address the root cause of inflammation—not simply the symptoms.

My goal is always to help the body heal naturally by combining the best of modern research with the time-tested principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Is Frankincense Safe?

Boswellia is generally well tolerated when used appropriately, but like any supplement or herbal medicine, it isn't right for everyone.

Because Ru Xiang strongly moves Blood, it is traditionally used with caution during pregnancy. It may also interact with certain medications, including blood thinners or medications that affect inflammation.

Whether you're considering Boswellia supplements or Chinese herbal medicine, it's always best to work with a qualified healthcare practitioner who can determine whether it's appropriate for your individual health history and medications.

A Personalized Approach to Herbal Medicine

One of the reasons I love practicing both functional medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine is that they share a common philosophy: treat the root cause, not just the symptom.

While Boswellia has earned its reputation as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory herb, it's important to remember that no single herb is a cure-all. The best treatment is one that's tailored to you.

Whether you're dealing with arthritis, tendon injuries, chronic inflammation, or lingering pain from an old injury, a personalized treatment plan that may include acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, functional medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle changes can help support your body's natural healing process.

If you're looking for a more individualized approach to chronic pain or inflammation, I'd be honored to help you discover whether Boswellia, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, or another natural therapy is the right fit for your health goals.