Depressed? Light an Incense

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem have studied an isolate in frankincense, a resin derived from Boswellia serrata, and determined it has antidepressant properties. Though it has been amongst many other natural psychotropics used in religious ceremony, it has never before been studied for its psychoactive effects. The researchers found that the constituent, incensole acetate, when given to mice, lowers anxiety and reduces depressive behavior.

Interestingly, this constituent acts on an area of the brain that plays an important role in the perception of skin warmth. This action may lead to an increased euphoric sense when combined with religious ceremony. Such scientific research opens the door to explorations of many other plant constituents used in aromatherapy and their actions on the body.

Creative Commons Image: Bag of Frankincense at Spice Souk by mamusings on Flickr.