Indian frankincense, also known by its Latin name Boswellia serrata, has roles in alternative medicine because of its anti-inflammatory activity. Although frankincense is not indicated for herpes, it might be helpful for a complication that sometimes occurs due to herpes. Consult a qualified health care provider before using Indian frankincense for any health condition.
Function
Boswellic acids are the active components of Indian frankincense gum resin. These substances have anti-inflammatory properties and may be helpful for treating inflammatory disorders such as arthritis and bursitis, explains Drugs.com. They also may be helpful in treating asthma and allergic reactions.
Proctitis
While frankincense is not indicated for treating symptoms of the viral infection herpes, it might help relieve symptoms of proctitis, an inflammation of the lining of the rectum sometimes caused by herpes. Proctitis has many possible causes, but herpes and other sexually transmitted infections are the most common culprits, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Symptoms of proctitis include pain, bleeding and a mucus or pus discharge. Chronic rectal bleeding due to proctitis can cause anemia.
Proctitis Treatment
Proctitis usually responds to treatment, including combinations of conventional and alternative therapies, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. The treatment depends on the cause; proctitis resulting from a herpes infection may respond to an antiviral medication. Sometimes the patient also benefits from treatments used for inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, in which the lining of other areas in the gastrointestinal tract become inflamed. Indian frankincense is one herbal therapy for IBD.
Frankincense for IBD and Proctitis
Symptoms of IBD may include severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding and loss of appetite. A standard dosage of Indian frankincense for this disorder is 1,200 milligrams three times per day, for up to eight weeks. People with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the most prevalent types of IBD, may be more likely to develop proctitis. Although, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some studies indicate that Indian frankincense helps relieve symptoms of IBD, it says no research has evaluated frankincense for relieving proctitis symptoms.
