Frank Who? Frankincense – that’s who! Frankincense is a versatile essential oil that goes back thousands of years. It has amazing properties that are good for everything from facial care to addressing inflammation.
Frankincense is prized for it’s medicinal value. History in the Headlines gives the short version of Frankincense (and Myrrh):
“Both frankincense—also known as olibanum—and myrrh have been traded in the Middle East and North Africa for upwards of 5,000 years. It is believed that the Babylonians and Assyrians burned them during religious ceremonies. The ancient Egyptians bought entire boatloads of the resins from the Phoenicians, using them in incense, insect repellent, perfume and salves for wounds and sores; they were also key ingredients in the embalming process. Myrrh oil served as a rejuvenating facial treatment, while frankincense was charred and ground into a powder to make the heavy kohl eyeliner Egyptian women famously wore. Sacks of frankincense and potted saplings of myrrh-producing trees appear in murals decorating the walls of a temple dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt for roughly two decades until her death around 480 B.C.”
Can you imagine looking at the Boswellia tree and deciding the sap would be good to put on your wound? I get that in ancient times, everything was used and nothing went to waste because there wasn’t a local drug store, but this still amazes me. The wisdom of ancient people in using essential oils is fascinating especially from a medicinal perspective.
Frankincense comes from the gummy sap that oozes out of the Boswellia tree when the bark is cut. This resin is allowed to harden and then scraped off and used for incense. The resin can also be chewed like gum and when burned like incense, it gives off a sweet, citrus-y aroma. 
The therapeutic properties have many uses. Frankincense is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, an immune stimulant, is wonderful as an overall tonic and prized for its’ skin nourishing qualities.
If you’re living with arthritis, Frankincense is ideal to apply to your sore, swollen joints. Due to its’ highly anti-inflammatory properties, it’s one of the ingredients in Flexatoid – especially made for arthritis.
This beautiful essential oil is excellent for compromised skin such as eczema and psoriasis. Frankincense is one of the ingredients in PsoMaxx Psoriasis and Eczema Salve because it is so good for your skin.
Frankincense for Meditation and Prayer
There’s energetic qualities to each essential oil and Frankincense is no different. If you’re meditating or praying, Frankincense is especially good to help quiet your mind.
It supports reflection and introspection, encourages emotional healing on all levels, quiets the mind and supports focused attention and tranquility. If you’re like me with a monkey mind that goes nuts the moment you try to be quiet, then Frankincense is perfect to diffuse when you want to meditate or pray.
If you would like to get some Frankincense, Aromatics International is a wonderful company offering pure essential oils that are sustainably harvested, wildcrafted and unsprayed by pesticides.
How can I help you today? You can email me directly at balance (a) scentedbalance (dot) com or fill out the contact form.
As always, I am very grateful you chose to stop by.
Blessings,
Melissa
PS – the above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Please see a qualified medical professional for any and all health issues.