Is frankincense and myrrh a kind of medicine?

Frankincense and myrrh, like "American ginseng" and "saffron", were introduced into China from overseas and became Chinese medicines. Frankincense is the resin of the small tree of the olive family, Boswellia serrata, which is mainly produced in Africa, such as Somalia, and is the main source of income there. It is a translucent resin with a special odor, known as "Kaolu Xiang" in ancient times, which was first used as incense for religious activities, and was later used as medicine. Myrrh, also a resin, is from the myrrh tree in the olive family and is also mainly produced in Africa.

Milk myrrh is bitter and warm in nature, and can invigorate blood circulation, relieve pain, and reduce swelling. Because of the similarity in efficacy between the two drugs, Chinese herbalists often use them together and write "milky myrrh" on the prescription, meaning "frankincense plus myrrh". Milk myrrh is usually fried to remove the oil before application to increase its efficacy and reduce irritation to the stomach and intestines. This medicine is mostly used for bruises and injuries, and is an important medicine in the Department of Injuries. The traditional Chinese medicine for injuries, Qi Li San, contains frankincense myrrh, and of course, Tian Qi (田七)血竭 (血竭), which is a blood-activating and wound-healing traditional Chinese medicine. They have the effect of invigorating blood circulation, relieving pain and regenerating muscles, and can also be used together with other herbs that tonify the liver and kidneys and strengthen the muscles and bones (e.g. Cortex Eucommiae, Cortex Eucommiae, and Sang Sheng Sheng) in chronic pain. However, they are bitter and have a nauseating and vomit-inducing odor, so they should not be used excessively, and people with weak spleen and stomach should be more careful. In addition to being decocted into soup, frankincense myrrh can also be made into pills and creams, which is not only more convenient for internal use, but also reduces the irritation to the body when used externally.

In addition to traditional wound applications, frankincense myrrh can also be used to treat red, swollen, hot and painful sores and swellings by combining with Huanglian, Honeysuckle and Chrysanthemum to treat "yang" symptoms, such as the Xianfang Lifesaving Drink for acne; with qi and blood nourishing Chinese herbs such as ginseng and angelica to treat sores and ulcers which are slow to heal and do not have new muscle, such as diabetic elders who have difficulty in healing their wounds, this kind of pairing can be used; and with Angelica sinensis, salvia, curcumae and other blood activators to treat sores and ulcers that have difficulty in healing, With Angelica sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Curcuma longa and other blood-activating herbs, it can be used to treat obstructions in the abdomen, i.e., benign pelvic tumors such as uterine fibroids, cysts (hydatid cysts), chocolate cysts and so on. Modern research has proved that frankincense has a good analgesic effect, but also can promote tissue repair, which is quite consistent with the clinical application since ancient times.

The ancient descriptions of frankincense myrrh are quite numerous. The two drugs are used together to promote the circulation of internal organs and meridians, therefore, all pains in the heart, stomach, coercion, abdomen, limbs and joints can be cured. Used externally as a powder to apply to sores and ulcers, it can detoxify and eliminate swellings, promote muscle growth and relieve pain. Although it is a product of opening (i.e., promoting qi), it does not deplete qi and blood, and it is a good medicine." In the past, the ancients generally died of infectious diseases, traumas and skin infections, so angelica and ginseng were of little help to the poor. Frankincense myrrh "heart, stomach, coercion, abdomen, limbs and joints of all pain can be cured", and can be "used externally as a powder to apply to sores and ulcers.