GUM (GOND) : Is used in treatment of Scabies, boils and cough, asthma, strengthens teeth and healing wounds.

FRANKINCENSE OR OLIBANUM - Gum is used in treatment of Scabies, boils and cough, asthma, strengthens teeth and healing wounds

Bosvellia serrata roxb.

Family : Burceraceae

English Name : Frankincense or Oblibanum.

Arabic Namae : Kundur (Liban)

Unani Namae : Kundur

Urdu Name : Gond

Telugu name : Banka

System Affected : Genitourinary, respiratory

Specific Action : Astringent, expectorant, anti-dysentery.

Parts Used : Resin

About

It is also called Indian Olibanum tree or Indian Frankincense or Salai. The word Frankincense is derived from the medieval French "Franc", which means pure or free and from Latin 'incensium', meaning to smoke. In Ayurvedic medicine it is called Salai Guggul.

Botanical description

A middle size deciduous tree; bark with coloured, which peels off in flakes; young shoots and leaves pubescent, Leaves 20 to 30 em long, leflets oppsite and 

sessile, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, obtuse, more or less pubescent, base rounded. Flowers in ancillary racemes, shorter than the leaves. Drupes trigonous and heart shape.

Medical properties

1. Gum :- Has good flavour and bad taste. It is bitter, astringent to the bowels, expectorant; used in the treatment of scabies, boils and as a collyrium in ophthalmic; useful in cough, asthma, bronchitis, sour throat, intestinal troubles; strengthens teeth; healing wounds; invigorating; anti dysentric; useful in blood diseases.

2. Essential Oil :- When the tree in pierced with knife (traditionally known as 'Mingat'), a milky white oleoresin is exuded. The resin forms droplets kown as 'tears' or 'pearls', which harden into the orange-brown gum known as Frankincense. Oil is steam distilled or cobon-dioxide distilled fromtha gum. It iS warm, woody, has sweet aroma with hint of Citrus. Used for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, catarrh and asthma; for wrinkles, wounds and dry skin. Helpful in case of rheumatism,cystitis and leucorrhoeca.The contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the libicsystem, hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary gland. It is said to strengthen immune system which could be the result of its uplifting properties.

The effect of application of essential oil is similar to the burning of incense. Heating it on candle or applying it directly on temples calms the mind, deepens the breathing and promote meditative stillness.

Emotional Attributes

It has spicy, balsamic aroma. It is associated with religious practices, calms and enhances meditation, elevate mind and spirit, help in deep breathing and psychic cleansing. Aroma can relax and revitalise and is helpful in case of nervous tension exhaustion. 

Note : The information given is meant for educational purpose only.

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About G A Moinuddin

Ahmed Moinuddin retired from his position as HR Manager in a top Indian Public Sector Organization. He holds Masters in Sciences and has versatile experience in managing people and departments. His passion is to share knowledge from the bucket of experiences he had over these years at personal and professional front.