It is known to most people as one of the three gifts borne by the Wise Men when they visited the newborn Jesus. But now frankincense – an aromatic resin – is being hailed as a medical marvel. For scientists have discovered that it could be used to treat ovarian cancer. In tests, Leicester University [...]

Sunday Times 2

Frankincense ‘fights cancer’

Aromatic substance from the Nativity story could help treat ovarian tumours
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It is known to most people as one of the three gifts borne by the Wise Men when they visited the newborn Jesus.

But now frankincense – an aromatic resin – is being hailed as a medical marvel. For scientists have discovered that it could be used to treat ovarian cancer.

In tests, Leicester University researchers found that a chemical in frankincense killed cells from hard-to-treat tumours.

Healing: The aromatic substances is being hailed as a medical marvel that could help treat tumours (© CC-BY-SA 3.0 'Weihrauch' by Spacebirdy/Myndir)

Ovarian cancer is symptomless in the earliest stages and usually not diagnosed until it is too late, making it the deadliest gynaecological cancer.

There are more than 7,000 cases a year in Britain and 4,300 of these women will die from the disease – around 12 a day.

Frankincense, the resin of the Boswellia sacra – a small tree found in Oman, Yemen and Somalia – is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has long been used in folk medicine, along with resin from other types of Boswellia.

It is being studied as a treatment for several cancers.

The Leicester University researchers said: ‘Frankincense is taken by many people with no known side-effects.

‘This finding has enormous potential to be taken to clinical trial in the future and developed into an additional treatment for ovarian cancer.’

© Daily Mail, London

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