Introduction: Ischemic stroke is the most common cause of stroke, paralysis and movement disorders are the most symptoms of stroke. Therefore, it is important to find a method for improving the disorders. This study aimed to examine the clinical efficacy of frankincense in patients with the acute ischemic stroke.

Materials & methods: In this clinical trial, 60 patients with ischemic stroke were randomly allocated into the treatment and control groups (n=30). In the treatment group, in addition to routine treatment of stroke, four capsules containing 500 mg powdered frankincense were given each day, but in the control group, were performed only the treatment of stroke (no frankincense) was performed. The treatment lasted for 1 month. The NIHSS scale (for assessment of speech and muscle strength) at the beginning, the seventh day and the end of the study for each patient was completed. Statistical analysis was performed using independent t-test, chi-square, and Mann withney in SPSS software.

Findings: Results showed that only improvement of muscle strength in patients left limb increased significantly in stage II in the treatment group than the control group.

Discussion & conclusions: Adding frankincense to treatment of patients with stroke can be effective on improvement muscle strength in patients with muscle weakness and non-dominant side in acute neurological disorders while that is not effective on improving muscle strength of the right limb or speech.