Does Frankincense And Myrrh Help With Arthritis Pain?

Frankincense and myrrh are fragrant resins extracted from trees in the Burseraceae family. They have been prized and used for spiritual and medicinal purposes since ancient times. Frankincense comes from the Boswellia tree while myrrh is produced from Commiphora trees. Both resins were highly valued in ancient Egypt for religious ceremonies and for embalming. They were also widely traded in the ancient world and across the Middle East and North Africa.

Arthritis refers to inflammation and stiffness in the joints. It causes pain and reduced mobility. The two most common types are osteoarthritis, caused by wear and tear on the joints, and rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition. Arthritis pain can be chronic and debilitating. Many arthritis sufferers turn to alternative therapies to find relief from their symptoms.

Some proponents claim that frankincense and myrrh can help relieve arthritis pain and inflammation when applied topically or ingested. They suggest that compounds found in the resins have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune-modulating effects that may be beneficial for arthritis. However, the evidence for using frankincense and myrrh for arthritis is limited.

What Causes Arthritis Pain?

There are over 100 different types of arthritis, but two of the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease where the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones breaks down over time, causing pain, swelling, and joint damage. It often affects joints in the hands, knees, hips and spine. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the joints, leading to inflammation and thickening of the joint capsule. It typically affects smaller joints like those in the hands and feet.

Inflammation is a key cause of arthritis pain. When joints become inflamed they can swell, become warm to the touch, and be very painful. Inflammation occurs as a result of wear and tear, joint injury, autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, or as a reaction to foods, toxins or microbes. According to the Cleveland Clinic, inflammatory chemicals like cytokines are released, which activate nerves and stimulate pain sensation. Anti-inflammatory medications can help by blocking these inflammatory chemicals.

Evidence on Frankincense

Several studies have examined the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects of frankincense. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2023 found that a topical frankincense extract significantly decreased pain and stiffness in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee compared to placebo (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9984289/). The frankincense group experienced over 30% greater reduction in pain based on visual analog scale measurements.

Another study published in 2015 showed that frankincense suppressed inflammation and prevented cartilage destruction in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556964/). The anti-inflammatory effects were attributed to inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators.

The side effects of frankincense are generally mild. Some people report skin irritation, nausea, and hypersensitivity reactions. More research is needed to confirm long-term safety, especially with oral ingestion.

Evidence on Myrrh

Myrrh has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects in arthritis patients. A 2022 comprehensive network analysis reviewed previous studies on myrrh and found it inhibits inflammation (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1934578X221116984). However, most studies so far have been limited to animal models. One study in mice with arthritis found that an oral extract of myrrh reduced swelling and joint destruction (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29407230/). More research is needed to confirm if these benefits translate to humans.

A few small human studies show potential for myrrh to reduce pain. A 2015 randomized trial of 40 patients with knee osteoarthritis found that applying myrrh-infused oil to the knee for 2 weeks reduced pain scores compared to placebo oil (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25761804/). However, the study was too small to draw definitive conclusions.

Overall, early evidence suggests myrrh may help relieve arthritis inflammation and pain when applied topically. However, large rigorous human trials are still needed. There are currently no known major side effects. But more studies are needed to fully evaluate long-term safety.

Other Benefits

In addition to potential anti-inflammatory effects, frankincense and myrrh may provide other benefits that could be helpful for people with arthritis.

Some research indicates that frankincense can help improve sleep quality. A study found that taking frankincense extract for two weeks helped increase the amount of non-rapid eye movement sleep in mice. Since poor sleep is associated with more severe arthritis pain, improving sleep could provide an indirect arthritis benefit.

Frankincense essential oil may also help relieve stress and anxiety when inhaled or applied topically. A review noted that the calming aroma of frankincense can lower heart rate and blood pressure. Reduced stress could help improve arthritis symptoms and pain levels.

Myrrh oil can act as an antispasmodic, helping to relieve muscle spasms, cramps and aches throughout the body. It also has sedative properties that induce relaxation and calm the body and mind.

Risks and Considerations

There are some potential risks when using frankincense and myrrh that are important to consider:

Safety concerns – Frankincense essential oil may cause skin irritation in some people when applied topically (https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-448/frankincense). Myrrh is likely unsafe when taken orally during pregnancy as it can stimulate the uterus and may cause miscarriage (https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-570/myrrh).

Interactions with medications – Both frankincense and myrrh may interact with blood thinning and blood sugar lowering medications. Consult with a doctor before using.

Lack of regulation – Herbal supplements like frankincense and myrrh are not regulated by the FDA. This means products may vary widely in purity, safety, and effectiveness.

Unknown proper dosing – There are no established dosing guidelines for frankincense and myrrh supplements. More research is needed to determine safe and effective doses.

Overall, those interested in using frankincense or myrrh should exercise caution, consult their doctor, and purchase high-quality products from reputable companies.

Expert Opinions

Dr. Ahmed, a rheumatologist at the Mayo Clinic, has expressed cautious optimism about using frankincense and myrrh for arthritis pain relief: “While the early research is promising, more rigorous clinical trials are still needed. These natural remedies may provide mild complementary benefits, but are not a replacement for standard medications.”

In a 2017 interview, Dr. Sarah Taylor, an arthritis specialist, stated: “Frankincense and myrrh have been used for centuries in various traditional medicine practices. Some of my patients say these supplements help relieve their joint pain, improve mobility, and reduce stiffness. But we need more evidence on optimal dosing, safety, and clinical efficacy before fully recommending them.”

A 2022 literature review in Rheumatology International concluded: “Frankincense and myrrh extracts demonstrate anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in laboratory studies. Small preliminary trials show beneficial effects on osteoarthritis. More research is warranted to evaluate optimal formulations, dosages, delivery methods and long-term outcomes.”

Overall, many arthritis experts acknowledge the long history of frankincense and myrrh use but caution that more rigorous research is still needed. Most view these supplements as potential complementary therapies but not replacements for conventional pain medications.

Lifestyle Changes

Making certain lifestyle changes can help manage arthritis pain and improve joint health. Two of the most important lifestyle factors are diet and exercise.

For diet, eating anti-inflammatory foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and olive oil can help reduce joint inflammation that causes arthritis pain. Avoiding inflammatory foods like processed meat, fried foods, and refined carbs is also recommended (source). A Mediterranean style diet high in plant foods and fish has been shown to benefit those with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Regular exercise can strengthen muscles around affected joints, increase flexibility, and reduce pain. Low-impact aerobic exercise like walking, swimming, or cycling along with some strength training are usually recommended. However, it’s important not to overdo activities that could further damage joints (source).

Incorporating stress relief like yoga, meditation, or massage can also help manage arthritis symptoms. Overall, making lifestyle changes to diet, exercise, and stress levels can significantly improve arthritis pain and joint health.

Other Alternative Therapies

In addition to frankincense and myrrh, there are several other natural products that some people use to help manage arthritis pain and inflammation. Some of the most popular include:

Turmeric: This bright yellow spice contains curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Some research suggests turmeric may be helpful for reducing osteoarthritis pain and improving mobility.[1]

Ginger: Ginger contains gingerol, a compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Some studies indicate ginger supplements may modestly reduce pain and disability in people with osteoarthritis.[2]

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil: CBD is a compound extracted from cannabis plants that does not cause a high. Early research suggests CBD applied to the skin as a gel may help relieve pain and inflammation in people with arthritis.[3]

Other natural products sometimes used for arthritis pain include boswellia, capsaicin cream, and supplements like glucosamine, chondroitin, and SAM-e. However, evidence for many of these is limited.[1] It’s important to talk to your doctor before trying new supplements to avoid interactions.

While these alternative therapies show promise for arthritis management, more research is still needed. They should complement, not replace, conventional medical treatment for arthritis.

[1] https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/natural-therapies/8-natural-therapies-for-arthritis-pain
[2] https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/arthritis-and-complementary-health-approaches-science
[3] https://www.arthritis-health.com/treatment/alternative-treatments

Conclusion

Based on the evidence reviewed, frankincense and myrrh may provide some relief for arthritis pain due to their anti-inflammatory effects. However, the research is still very limited and lacks rigorous clinical trials. While some experts are cautiously optimistic about their potential benefits, others urge caution about relying solely on these alternative therapies instead of standard treatments recommended by doctors. More high-quality studies are needed to fully understand if frankincense and myrrh are effective and safe for arthritis.

It’s important not to abandon proven conventional therapies when trying alternative options. Frankincense and myrrh should be viewed as complementary to, not replacements for, standard arthritis medications and lifestyle changes recommended by healthcare professionals. Patients with severe arthritis should not discontinue their doctor-prescribed treatment plan.

While some early research on frankincense and myrrh for arthritis shows promise, the evidence is still inconclusive. More research is needed to fully demonstrate their effects. Patients interested in trying these alternative therapies should first discuss it with their doctor to make sure the products will not interact with any medications they are taking.