Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil in history
Frankincense is the name given to the aromatic resin obtained from trees belonging to the genus “Boswellia.” The trees are short, shrub-like and extremely hardy, capable of thriving in the rocky, desert terrains of Somalia, Southern Arabia, and Ethiopia. At the tips of the branches are small leaves, which are closely clustered and divided into leaflets. After the rains, yellow-white flowers emerge along the twigs.
The earliest account of the use of Frankincense originates from ancient Egypt, where Egyptians used the resin to anoint the mummified bodies of kings. The resin was also hardened and grounded into powder, which Egyptian women applied as eyeliner.
As time progressed, Frankincense quickly became valuable as a trade item in Northern Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. In fact, records suggest that during the time of Christ, it was even pricier than gold.
In addition to being burned for religious purposes, Frankincense was regularly employed in the treatment of many conditions, including skin disease, rheumatism, digestive problems, nervous complaints, and microbial infections.
Today, Frankincense is still used in many religious ceremonies around the world as an incense to encourage meditation and prayer. However, it’s more famous for its essential oil, which is obtained by steam distillation, from the white oleoresin that bleeds out of the tree’s bark. When fresh, frankincense essential oil is light yellow, with a mildly sweet, woody, spicy and citrusy aroma.
Frankincense oil uses
Apart from being an incense, frankincense essential oil has many therapeutic benefits, some of which are described below.
Relaxation
Adding a few drops of Frankincense oil to a warm bath or a diffuser is one of the best natural ways to fight anxiety and stress.
The oil has a quick and efficient relaxing effect on the body and the mind, without inducing unwanted drowsiness or sleep. It’s widely believed that the fragrance of Frankincense can improve one’s spiritual connection.
This essential oil is also capable of helping you sleep; it has a calming, grounding scent that allows your body to reach an ideal sleeping temperature.
Strengthens the immune system
Frankincense is distinguished among medical practitioners as an effective immunomodulator. It can strengthen a weak immune system and prevent illness from creeping in, while also relaxing unpleasantly active immune systems that overcompensate with severe allergic reactions every time a foreign substance enters the body.
When inhaled, applied to the skin, or used internally, the regulatory effects of Frankincense can help to cure acute and chronic autoimmune disorders, such as arthritis, ulcerative colitis, bronchial asthma, and Crohn’s disease.
Antibacterial and Antiseptic
Frankincense essential oil is a natural antiseptic and can, therefore, be used to clean fresh wounds and prevent infection. Frankincense vapors are used to kill respiratory microbes and treat conditions like flu, colds, and coughs.
Additionally, ingesting regulated amounts of the oil can also help to fight bacteria in the digestive tract, particularly the stomach and intestines, promoting the steady absorption of nutrients into the blood.
Due to its antiseptic properties, frankincense is added to oral care products to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and bad breath. It is also commonly used in an oil diffuser to clean indoor spaces and disinfect the rooms or surfaces in homes, in place of chemical household cleaners.
Promoting healthy skin
Frankincense oil is beneficial to the skin in several ways. For starters, its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties help to clean off disease-causing bacteria from the surface and prevent ailments like acne and eczema.
The oil is also a powerful astringent, and it contributes to keeping skin cells firm and pores open. When used on saggy skin, it restores it to its healthy, youthful nature; offsetting wrinkles and other signs of aging.
Furthermore, Frankincense promotes the quick healing of wounds and decreases the appearance of scars. It’s often used with an unscented base oil or lotion to accelerate the fading of dark spots and stretch marks.
Improves blood circulation
Besides its astringent effect on blood vessels, Frankincense is a blood thinner, which makes it useful in unblocking blood clots and promoting the seamless flow of blood in the body.
By improving circulation, the oil inspires the good health of muscles, joints and body organs. It also eases the heart’s workload, alleviating cardiac fatigue and other related conditions.
Anti-inflammatory
As a natural painkiller, Frankincense essential oil is often applied on problematic areas, including the forehead, to lessen pain and relax body tissues.
Frankincense is also commonly used in bath water to decrease muscle aches and remedy inflammations caused by infection or injury.
Treating cancer
Considerable research has been done on Frankincense to determine its potential ability to fight cancer. A lot is still yet to be understood, but current reports suggest that the oil possesses promising anti-mutagenic and apoptotic abilities, and can, therefore, succeed in killing cancerous cells that have gradually become resistant to chemotherapy.
The essential oil’s strengths in alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy are, however, more apparent. When included in a patient’s cancer care plan, Frankincense helps to reduce pain, nausea, appetite and mood changes. Additionally, it also used in place of steroid treatment to decrease inflammation and edema after a tumor has been removed.
Additional Benefits
Frankincense essential oil is useful in balancing hormone levels, and thus it can prove beneficial in easing symptoms associated with menstruation and menopause.
Besides, it is also helpful when it comes to digestion, as it speeds up the secretion of digestive enzymes, enhances bowel movements, and reduces pain and cramping in the stomach
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