OUR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM & FRANKINCENSE
Having studied the regulation of inflammation in the lungs (in a mouse model) during graduate school, I think a lot about the nitty gritty of how inflammation is managed.
Yes – we need inflammation to rid our lungs of disease BUT that same inflammation actually causes lung injury. It is SO important that we think about supporting the strength of our immune system in the lungs in 2 ways. 1st, by providing additional support to fight infections, but equally (if not more important) using natural support (food, gut health support, oils) to reduce inflammation on a regular basis. We need to teach our immune system to behave!
Examples of inflammation in the lungs that shouldn’t be there – COPD, asthma, allergies, ARDS, pneumonia, etc.
Cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), is known to be critical for resolving inflammation in the lungs and was more recently shown to be critical for resolving inflammation following pneumonia.
Evidence suggests that Frankincense promotes enhanced release of IL-10, suggesting its possible use as an aid to resolve pulmonary inflammation.
What does this mean for us? I believe we should use Frankincense repeatedly, topically with coconut oil, all over your chest, during any respiratory condition. It supports the lung in doing what it needs to do… fight the infection AND resolve the inflammation.
For those of you that want more specifics…2 drops of frank in your palm, add a healthy squirt of coconut oil. (Haha…not specific enough?? Keep reading!!)
2 drops of Frankincense per tsp of carrier oil.
For a child younger than 3 – use 1-2 drops per table spoon of coconut oil.
Articles below! (And yes…I happened to list my own publication as a reference!)
“A combination of essential oils with both antibacterial potency, and immune modulatory capacity, could serve as an intervention during life-threatening bacterial infections – with a specific goal of maintaining respiratory health throughout and following infection.”
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3107499/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22785228/?i=1&from=stat%201%20regulated%20mdsc%20poe
