Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Its principal use now is in the manufacture of incense and pastilles. It is also used in plasters and might be substituted for Balsam of Peru or Balsam of Tolu.'

'The inhalation of steam laden with the volatile portion of the drug is said to relieve bronchitis and laryngitis.'

'The ceremonial incense of the Jews was compounded of four 'sweet scents,' of which pure Frankincense was one, pounded together in equal proportion. It is frequently mentioned in the Pentateuch.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Olibanum is a stimulant, producing results similar to those from the tolu and Peru balsams; it is principally used as a fumigating article, and occasionally forms an ingredient of plasters. The dose, when used internally, is from 5 to 40 grains, in emulsion.'

Frankincense has some remarkable properites, and has always been used internally in Ayurvedic medicine. To quote some recent research, cited below:

'An alcoholic extract of frankincense gum resin (AESG) was studied in rats and mice with induced localized inflammation and arthritis. AESG showed marked anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity.'

'This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of eighty patients with chronic bronchial asthma. Half were treated with a frankincense gum resin preparation for 6 weeks. The other half were treated with a placebo for six weeks. 70% of the gum resin group showed improvement, compared with 27% of patients in the control group. The researchers conclude that frankincense gum resin has a role in the treatment of bronchial asthma.'

'Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory disease of the colon. Boswellic acids have been shown to inhibit an enzyme that mediates this inflammation. In this study, patients with ulcerative colitis were given frankincense gum resin preparation orally for six weeks. They were than compared with patients receiving sulfasalazine, an appropriate prescription drug. 82% of patients receiving the frankincense preparation went into remission, compared with 75% on the sulfasalazine group.'

This is Plum Flower brand's nitrogen-flushed vacuum pack.

Plum Flower is one of the most distinguished herb houses in the world.

Sulfur Free, Chlorine Free, Aluminum Phosphate Free.

Sulfites are used to give herbs the appearance of freshness. As with dried fruit, unsulfured herbs look different than those that are adulterated with preservatives. Herbs that are preservative free are more natural looking and are generally darker. The brightness of the herbs may be appealing, but it indicates the presence of harmful additives. Despite their appearance, unsulfured herbs are more fresh and safer than regular commercially available products.

The use of sulfur, chlorine and aluminum phosphate was made unnecessary through the establishment of Plum Flower processing stations in China. Herb harvesters slice and process the herbs fresh, avoiding the need to rehydrate dried herbs later to process. This first step is crucial, as rehydration leads to decomposition and thus the need for preservatives.

The herbs are then packed and the packages vacuum-packed, injected with nitrogen, and sealed. The nitrogen process combined with the lack of sulfur treatment inhibits the growth of anaerobic organisms, resulting in safer, higher quality herbs. After opening, store in a cool dry place.

The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou, China, scientifically test each batch of herbs before, during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. Herbs are also tested to ensure that the formulas surpass all FDA guidelines regarding heavy metals. Those herbs exported to the U.S. are voluntarily submitted to the FDA for approval.

Finally, batches are regularly sent out for quality control testing in third-party labs to double-ensure that Plum Flower products are 100% free of pharmaceuticals, preservatives and dyes.

The Lanzhou and Guang Zhou factories are so clean, they are certified by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (GMP). These standards surpass any of the FDA, and are considered the highest for any government agency in the world.