Rǔ Xiāng (乳香) — Frankincense

On this page

1. Overview
2. Properties
3. Actions and indications
4. Modern research
5. Cautions and contraindications
6. Treatment at my clinic

1. Overview

Rǔ Xiāng (乳香) is the gum resin of Boswellia carteri (frankincense). It belongs to the category of Herbs that invigorate the Blood and dispel Blood Stasis in the Chinese Materia Medica and is one of the leading pain-relieving and swelling-reducing herbs in Chinese herbal medicine, particularly for traumatic injury, joint pain and chronic inflammation. It is almost always paired with Mò Yào (myrrh) in formulas.

I prescribe Rǔ Xiāng as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

2. Properties

3. Actions and indications

Principal actions

1. Invigorates Blood, moves Qi and relieves pain
2. Reduces swelling and generates flesh in chronic non-healing sores
3. Relaxes the sinews and unblocks the channels in Bi syndrome

Indications

1. Traumatic injury with bruising, swelling and pain
2. Chronic musculoskeletal pain with Blood stasis — osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulder
3. Dysmenorrhoea, postpartum abdominal pain and amenorrhoea from Blood stasis
4. Chronic non-healing wounds and ulcers
5. Epigastric or abdominal pain from Qi and Blood stagnation

4. Modern research

Frankincense contains boswellic acids (especially acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, AKBA), volatile oil and polysaccharides. Pharmacological studies demonstrate inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase, anti-inflammatory effects in arthritis, anti-tumour activity in glioma and colorectal models, and analgesic properties. Boswellia extracts are extensively studied for osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

5. Cautions and contraindications

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Use with caution in patients on anticoagulants (mild antiplatelet effect) and in those with chronic gastritis — can be irritating to the stomach lining. Decoction can be slightly nauseating; modern granules are better tolerated.

Important: Chinese herbs should always be prescribed by a fully qualified herbalist who is a member of the Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM).

6. Treatment at my clinic

I prescribe Rǔ Xiāng as part of tailored herbal formulas for chronic musculoskeletal pain, sports injury rehabilitation, post-fracture recovery, frozen shoulder, dysmenorrhoea with stabbing pain and stubborn osteoarthritic flares. Every prescription is individually formulated following a full TCM assessment.

I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Online Chinese herbal medicine consultations are available.

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