Recommended by holistic veterinarians, Herbsmith Frankincense Relieve Soreness is a Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) herbal formula that invigorates Blood, resolves Blood stasis, and supports the natural healing process for musculoskeletal stiffness, swelling, and soreness from daily training, activity, or occasional tissue discomfort. In TCVM, tissue damage leads to stagnation of Blood in the affected area; with time, this stagnation impairs the flow of Qi to the tissue, and long-term tissue changes can result. This six-herb blend of Blood-moving herbs addresses the root Blood stasis pattern to manage stiffness and swelling and support the body's own healing process. Provided in their natural, whole-herb form, these herbs are gentle on the horse's GI tract, making this formula a suitable option for horses sensitive to other approaches. Available in traditional powder (150g Tack Box, 500g, 900g, 1200g) and Flax Plus (10-day, 30-day, and 60-day supply); a six-tablespoon scoop is included with the Flax Plus format. Dosing varies by body weight and health condition; your authorizing veterinarian will provide specific guidance. Not for use in pregnant mares.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
What It Supports
- Musculoskeletal soreness and stiffness from training and activity: Addresses Blood stagnation that develops from tissue microtrauma from daily training, exercise, and performance demands, supporting the natural healing process and helping manage stiffness and soreness associated with normal athletic use.
- Blood stasis resolution and Blood invigoration: Moves and invigorates Blood to clear stagnation from affected tissue; without Blood stasis, the natural healing process is supported and Qi flow to the area is restored, resolving the stiffness, swelling, and tissue discomfort that develop when Blood stagnates.
- Swelling and tissue discomfort management: Supports management of soft tissue swelling and discomfort through the combined actions of San Qi, Ru Xiang, Mo Yao, and Hong Hua, which address Blood stasis, reduce swelling, and support tissue healing from both a TCVM and modern herbal practice perspective.
- GI-gentle herbal support for sensitive horses: Provided in natural whole-herb form, this formula is gentle on the horse's GI tract, making it well tolerated by horses sensitive to other musculoskeletal support approaches or those who experience GI sensitivity with conventional options.
TCVM Principles
- Primary action: Invigorate Blood, resolve Blood stasis, move Qi stagnation secondary to Blood stasis, and support tissue healing and recovery from musculoskeletal soreness, stiffness, and swelling.
- Approach: In TCVM, tissue damage from training, activity, or injury leads to Blood stagnation in the affected area. The damaged tissue is evidence of this Blood stasis. Over time, stagnation impairs Qi flow to the area, and unresolved stagnation can lead to long-term tissue changes. Frankincense Relieve Soreness is a blend of Blood-moving herbs designed to invigorate and move the Blood, clearing stagnation from affected tissue and restoring smooth Qi and Blood flow. Without the ongoing stagnation, the natural healing process is supported, and the tissue changes associated with chronic Blood stasis are addressed at the root. Not for use in pregnant mares.
Available Forms
- 150g Powder - Tack Box Blend: A compact tack box-friendly size for targeted short-term use or for horses competing at events; ideal for 10 to 15 days of full loading dosing or as a portable supply for show or travel.
- 500g Traditional Powder: Mix into grain twice daily for the first 20 days, then once daily until swelling and stiffness have resolved. If the horse is reluctant to eat herbs, begin with small amounts in grain to acquaint the horse with the taste, or consider the Flax Plus version.
- 900g Traditional Powder: Larger supply for extended treatment courses or multi-horse households.
- 1200g Traditional Powder: Bulk size for consistent daily administration throughout treatment.
- Flax Plus - 10-Day Supply: Herbal formula blended with ground flaxseed; six-tablespoon scoop included. A short-course option for acute soreness or post-event recovery; administer one scoop twice daily for the full 10 days.
- Flax Plus - 30-Day Supply: Administer one scoop twice daily for the first 20 days, then one scoop daily until swelling and stiffness have resolved.
- Flax Plus - 60-Day Supply: Extended Flax Plus supply for longer treatment courses or continued maintenance use.
Ingredients
Active ingredients: San Qi (Panax notoginseng) - Pseudoginseng root; Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) - Chinese Angelica root; Ru Xiang (Boswellia carterii) - Frankincense resin; Mo Yao (Commiphora myrrha) - Myrrh resin; Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius) - Carthamus flower (Safflower); Huai Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata) - Achyranthes root.
Inactive ingredients (Flax Plus only): Ground Flax Seed. Traditional Powder and Tack Box Blend contain no inactive ingredients.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Active Ingredient TCVM Actions
Frankincense Relieve Soreness combines six Blood-moving herbs that work together to invigorate Blood, resolve stasis, reduce swelling, and support the natural healing of musculoskeletal tissue:
- San Qi (Panax notoginseng) - Pseudoginseng root: The formula's chief herb; invigorates Blood, resolves Blood stasis, reduces swelling, and stops bleeding while simultaneously activating circulation; uniquely able to both move Blood stasis and arrest bleeding from damaged tissue, making it the ideal lead herb for musculoskeletal injuries and tissue damage from training. Respected in both classical TCVM and modern herbal practice for its effectiveness in addressing Blood stasis and tissue swelling.
- Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) - Chinese Angelica root: Tonifies and invigorates Blood, moves Blood stasis, and moistens; provides the essential dual action of nourishing depleted Blood while simultaneously moving stagnation, ensuring the formula replenishes Blood to the healing tissue rather than solely dispersing what is stagnant.
- Ru Xiang (Boswellia carterii) - Frankincense resin: The formula's namesake; invigorates Blood, moves Qi, reduces swelling, and supports tissue healing in the sinews and muscles; paired with Mo Yao as the formula's classical resin combination for resolving Blood stasis and supporting structural recovery of musculoskeletal tissue. Ru Xiang's Qi-moving action ensures both the Blood and Qi stagnation that develop secondarily are addressed.
- Mo Yao (Commiphora myrrha) - Myrrh resin: Invigorates Blood, resolves Blood stasis, reduces swelling, and supports tissue healing; paired with Ru Xiang as the classical Frankincense-Myrrh combination that comprehensively addresses soft tissue Blood stasis, swelling, and structural discomfort in the muscles, tendons, and joints.
- Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius) - Carthamus flower (Safflower): Strongly invigorates Blood circulation, breaks up Blood stasis, and reduces stagnation-related swelling; deepens the formula's Blood-activating action alongside San Qi to ensure established stasis in the affected musculoskeletal tissue is thoroughly cleared and circulation restored.
- Huai Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata) - Achyranthes root: Invigorates Blood, expels Blood stasis, tonifies Liver and Kidney, and directs the formula's action downward to the lower body, hindlimbs, and joints; the guide herb that focuses the combined Blood-moving action to the lower extremities where musculoskeletal stiffness and swelling from training most commonly accumulate in performance horses.
Potential Drug Interactions
Herbsmith Frankincense Relieve Soreness contains Blood-moving herbs including San Qi, Dang Gui, Hong Hua, Ru Xiang, and Mo Yao, which may interact with certain medications. Horses on prescription medications should use this formula under veterinary supervision. Not for use in pregnant mares.
Medication categories warranting extra caution include anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (San Qi and other Blood-moving herbs have additive anticoagulant properties; concurrent use warrants close veterinary monitoring), NSAIDs and other medications used for musculoskeletal soreness, swelling, and stiffness, and horses managing multiple concurrent prescriptions. Your veterinarian can determine appropriateness based on your horse's condition, current medications, and laboratory results.
VETERINARY AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED: Submit Your Authorization Request or Request a TCVM Telemedicine Consultation
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of musculoskeletal conditions is Frankincense Relieve Soreness most useful for?
Frankincense Relieve Soreness is most commonly recommended for horses experiencing stiffness, swelling, or soreness associated with daily training and athletic demands, post-exercise recovery, soft tissue microtrauma, or occasional musculoskeletal discomfort. Because it is provided in natural, whole-herb form and is gentle on the GI tract, it is also a strong option for horses sensitive to other musculoskeletal support approaches. A TCVM-trained veterinarian can confirm whether your horse's pattern is appropriate for this formula before authorization.
How is Frankincense Relieve Soreness administered, and what are the recommended doses for a 1,000 lb horse?
For the traditional powder, administer two tablespoons twice daily for the first 20 days, then two tablespoons once daily until swelling and stiffness have resolved. For the Flax Plus format, administer one scoop (six-tablespoon scoop included) twice daily for the first 20 days, then one scoop daily until swelling and stiffness have resolved. Mix into grain for easy administration. If the horse is reluctant to eat herbs, begin with small amounts in grain and gradually increase, or choose the Flax Plus version. Confirm dosing for horses of other weights with your authorizing veterinarian.
Why is this formula described as gentle on the GI tract, and what makes it a good option for GI-sensitive horses?
Frankincense Relieve Soreness is provided in natural whole-herb form rather than as concentrated extracts, which generally results in a gentler GI profile than more processed herbal preparations. The formula's six herbs are also well-tolerated in their natural state; none have significant purgative or strongly warming properties that commonly cause GI sensitivity in horses. This makes it a well-suited option for horses that have experienced GI upset with conventional anti-inflammatory medications or other herbal formulas that contain more aggressive herbs.
How long should Frankincense Relieve Soreness be used, and when can it be discontinued?
Administer until swelling and stiffness have resolved, as assessed with your veterinarian. For horses with soreness and stiffness from routine training demands, improvement is often noticed within 2 to 3 weeks of consistent use. For more established soft tissue stagnation, 4 to 6 weeks of consistent use may be needed before full resolution. You can continue the formula at the maintenance dose (once daily) until your veterinarian determines the condition has resolved. Not for use in pregnant mares.