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Last Updated on March 20, 2024 by Thee Puppypreneur
WHAT IS FRANKINCENSE FOR DOGS
Frankincense for dogs or (Boswellia) is used for various reasons such as arthritis, inflammation, pain, IBS, IBD and as an antibacterial. The part that is used is the resin from the tree. There are various ways that frankincense can be used in dogs such as topically or in some cases even internally.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF FRANKINCENSE FOR DOGS
FRANKINCENSE AS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOR DOGS
When taken internally and after 8 weeks of treatment, extract was standardized to contain 30-40% boswellic acids and humans took around 300 mg, three times a day.1Maroon JC, Bost JW, Maroon A. Natural anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief. Surg Neurol Int. 2010 Dec 13;1:80. doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.73804. PMID: 21206541; PMCID: PMC3011108. Natural anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief – PMC (nih.gov)
It was found to reduce the total white blood cell count in the fluid of the joints and thus has been proven to inhibit certain kinds of inflammation or degeneration in the joints.2Maroon JC, Bost JW, Maroon A. Natural anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief. Surg Neurol Int. 2010 Dec 13;1:80. doi: 10.4103/2152-7806.73804. PMID: 21206541; PMCID: PMC3011108. Natural anti-inflammatory agents for pain relief – PMC (nih.gov)
FRANKINCENSE FOR DOGS WITH IBD AND IBS
There are multiple studies on Boswellia serrata and the extracts from the resin having analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and being useful in cases of IBS.3 Al-Yasiry AR, Kiczorowska B. Frankincense–therapeutic properties. Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2016 Jan 4;70:380-91. doi: 10.5604/17322693.1200553. PMID: 27117114. Frankincense–therapeutic properties – PubMed (nih.gov)
In one such study, Boswellia serrata gum extract has the potential to support and preserve intestinal epithelial barrier from oxidative and inflammatory damage in patients with IBD. 4Catanzaro D, Rancan S, Orso G, Dall’Acqua S, Brun P, Giron MC, Carrara M, Castagliuolo I, Ragazzi E, Caparrotta L, Montopoli M. Boswellia serrata Preserves Intestinal Epithelial Barrier from Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage. PLoS One. 2015 May 8;10(5):e0125375. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125375. PMID: 25955295; PMCID: PMC4425476. Boswellia serrata Preserves Intestinal Epithelial Barrier from Oxidative and Inflammatory Damage – PMC (nih.gov)
FRANKINCENSE FOR DOGS WITH PAIN
In another study, where Frankincense was combined with Myrrh in animals with chronic sciatic nerve compression, the mice were fed the herbs and it was discovered that this combination of herbs could alleviate their sensitivity to neuropathic pain.5Liao, Y., Guo, C., Wen, A., Bai, M., Ran, Z., Hu, J., Wang, J., Yang, J., & Ding, Y. (2023). Frankincense-Myrrh treatment alleviates neuropathic pain via the inhibition of neuroglia activation mediated by the TLR4/MyD88 pathway and TRPV1 signaling. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 108, 154540. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154540
FRANKINCENSE FOR DOGS WITH CANCER
There is some evidence to suggest that Frankincense essential oil may have some benefits on certain types of cancer.
For example, in a human trial on patients with bladder cancer the frankincense oil appeared to be selective over seeking out and killing cancer cells while leaving normal cells alone.6Dozmorov MG, Yang Q, Wu W, Wren J, Suhail MM, Woolley CL, Young DG, Fung KM, Lin HK. Differential effects of selective frankincense (Ru Xiang) essential oil versus non-selective sandalwood (Tan Xiang) essential oil on cultured bladder cancer cells: a microarray and bioinformatics study. Chin Med. 2014 Jul 2;9:18. doi: 10.1186/1749-8546-9-18. PMID: 25006348; PMCID: PMC4086286. Differential effects of selective frankincense (Ru Xiang) essential oil versus non-selective sandalwood (Tan Xiang) essential oil on cultured bladder cancer cells: a microarray and bioinformatics study – PMC (nih.gov)
Frankincense’s boswellic acids have been determined to have on impact of the spread or growth of certain kinds of tumors.7Al-Yasiry, A. R., & Kiczorowska, B. (2016). Frankincense–therapeutic properties. Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online), 70, 380–391. https://doi.org/10.5604/17322693.1200553
TOPICAL USES OF FRANKINCENSE FOR DOGS
I personally use frankincense essential oil topically on my fur kid whenever there is an interdigital cysts or furuncle which is basically a boil type blister in between the toes.
Whenever there is inflammation, or the paws are moist and sticky from licking is when I apply a salve with this frankincense for dogs oil in it and use it in between the toes.
You can find my paw balm recipe in the link below;
WHY DO DOGS LICK THEIR PAWS WITH HELPFUL SOLUTIONS
This oil has antibacterial qualities and shows its ability to inhibit antifungal infections such as yeast and Malassezia as well as be effective against certain forms of staph infection.8Di Stefano, V., Schillaci, D., Cusimano, M. G., Rishan, M., & Rashan, L. (2020). In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Frankincense Oils from Boswellia sacra Grown in Different Locations of the Dhofar Region (Oman). Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland), 9(4), 195. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9040195
I use
Amazon.com: doTERRA Frankincense Essential Oil 15 ml : Health & Household
which is VERY expensive but I don’t compromise on purity as some other companies could adulterate their products with synthetics which is why I choose doTerra.
According to doTerra you can also use their essential oils internally by adding a few drops to a veggie capsule. 9Frankincense Oil Uses and Benefits | doTERRA Essential Oils
If you are looking for a more affordable essential oil I have heard good things about this company as well
If you are looking for a skin salve already done for you this is very similar to one I make for my furbabies as it contains frankincense and myrrh in it
SIDE EFFECTS OF FRANKINCENSE FOR DOGS
Is frankincense safe for dogs? The answer depends on your furry canine and how you are going to use it. If you are using this topically frankincense oil has the ability to cause skin rash or sensitivity.
If you dilute this in a carrier oil (which you should always be doing with essential oils) then you minimize the risk of potential skin irritation.
If you are giving this internally always consult with your veterinarian to make sure this is the most appropriate course of action and is recommended for your furbaby as certain conditions, medications and even herbs could interfere.
If taken internally frankincense has the potential to cause upset stomach, diarrhea and possible nausea.
Check out our other articles for more information on herbs, their benefits and side effects, such as;
