Of the three gifts given to baby Jesus by the wise men, people may wonder what was so special about frankincense. Sure, it smells nice, but why the hoopla over it? Many religions regard frankincense as the perfect burnt offering to God; a belief that was so pervasive that a major (and coveted) export trade grew over it.
Now there may be another powerful reason for its value: as a more painless and effective form of cancer treatment.
From the BBC:
But immunologist Mahmoud Suhail is hoping to open a new chapter in the history of frankincense.
Scientists have observed that there is some agent within frankincense which stops cancer spreading, and which induces cancerous cells to close themselves down. He is trying to find out what this is.
This agent can eradicate the cancer cells without harming the healthy ones (unlike chemotherapy). The trick is finding the agent responsible. If this can be done, then not only will frankincense have been a gift to Jesus, it will also be a gift to all.
