Frankincense in Aromatherapy - Trees, Pearls, and Essential Oil

The Mysterious Frankincense

Used for many thousands of years, the Frankincense tree has perhaps the greatest association with spiritualpractice of any plant on earth. In most of the great ancient cultures,including the Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman civilizations, it has played a role inreligious and domestic life. Frankincense has been sought after by kings and valued as highly as gold. Morerecently, the essential oil is gaining popularity with spiritual seekers and natural healers alike. What isso special about this tree that its 'pearls' were given as a gift at the birth of one of history's most reveredprophets?

The Hardy Tree and its Tears

The Frankincense tree, or Olibanum, upon first glance, may seem rather unremarkable. It appears as agiant shrub, with many knurled branches topped with abundant slender leaves and occasionally, small white flowers.A native to northern Africa, it looks like it belongs in the desert, growing in some of the world'sharshest conditions. But it is not the tree itself, but rather its sap that has such profound lore surroundingit. Whenthe tree's bark is pierced with a knife (known traditionally as a 'Mingaf'), a milky-white oleoresin is exuded- thought the tree is not harmed. The resin forms droplets known as 'tears' or 'pearls', which harden intothe orange-brown gum known itself as Frankincense. The English name of this natural incense is derivedfrom the medieval French 'franc',meaning 'pure' or 'free', and from the Latin 'incensium', meaning 'to smoke'.

History's Most Popular Incense

For more than 5000 years, the hardened resin has been burned in temples throughout Egypt, China andIndia; the Catholic church continues to use it today during Mass. It is one of the four main ingredientsin Jewish ceremonial incense, forming an important part of the Sabbath day offerings. The smoke of Frankincense(as with other ritual incense) is thought to carry prayers to heaven upon it's smoke. It is also said todeepen the breath and still the mind, making it useful for meditation and yogic practice. Theincense may have health benefits as well, producing a highly antiseptic smoke, keeping churches and churchgoersfree from disease.

According to ancient documents, the great Baal temple of Babylon consumed 2 and a half tons of Frankincensea year. The Frankincense trade was of immense importance in ancient times, peaking about 2000 years ago.Caravans grew to as many as 2 to 3 thousand camels in size. Cities grew up along the trade routes, and heavytaxes and fees for protection, lodging and camel fodder raised the cost of the resin considerably, so muchso that it was valued as much as gold. The wealth involved inspired Alexander the Great to plot to control theregion, though his death happened to preceed the invasion.

Health Benefits

Frankincense resin is thought to have a bounty of health properties - it was an ingredient in a rejuvenateface mask in ancient Egypt (it was also charred and used as the classic heavy eyeliner seen in much ancientEgyptian art), and at one time was "used to treat every conceivable ill to man". In ayurvedic medicine itis known as salaiguggul,used for centuries to treat many conditions, including arthritis. Modern science has isolated the activecompounds found to have anti-arthritic properties. Called boswellic acids, these components inhibit theinflammatory process, improve blood supply and prevent further cartilage reduction.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Modern natural medicine and aromatherapy have taken to the use of the essential oil of Frankincense. The oil, havinga warm, woody, sweet aroma with a hint of citrus, is steam or CO2 distilled from the resin.It is used for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, catarrh and asthma; for wrinkles, wounds and dryskin, and in cases of rheumatism, cystitis and leukorrea.

The most important effect of the essential oil may be on the nervous system. Regarded as an antidepressant,the aroma can both relax and revitalize, and can help in cases of nervous tension and exhaustion. Frankincenseoil contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system, the hypothalamus, the pineal and the pituitaryglands. The oil is now being researched for it's ability to increase human growth hormone production. Further,it is considered to strengthen the immune system, which may in-fact occur as a result of it's uplifting properties.

Frankincense essential oil can be used in a manner similar to burning of the incense in spiritual practice.Warming in a candle lamp or direct application to the temples and third eye will quiet the mind, deepen thebreath, and promote meditative stillness. It is often blended with Sandalwood, Myrrh and Cedarwood for suchuses, and the single-pointed concentration it invokes is thought to allow the spirit to soar.

Experimenting with Frankincense

Frankincense resin is widely available at reasonable costs. Most is wildcrafted, being extracted fromtrees growing in the deserts of northeast Africa - thankfully, the resource is abundant, as the treeseasily survive harvesting of the pearls. The small chunks of resin can simply be lit by themselves ina dish or similar container, and allowed to smolder and release their smoke. Frankincense is also availablein prepared incense sticks and other incense preparations. In the form of your choosing, simply lightand allow some quiet time to experience the deep aroma.

With the essential oil, a diffuser or warming lamp can be used to disperse the aroma throughout a space.The oil is also found in aromatherapy candles, where it is released from the heated oil beneath the burningwick. Frankincense oil can be applied directly to the forehead (it is non-irritating or sensitizing)where you can both capture the aroma and absorb the oil directly. Again, take a moment to sit quietlyto perceive any effects.

The wonderful gift of the Frankincense tree is available in many ways, and has come highly recommendedfor many thousands of years. Try adding a little Frankincense to your life, and see what the mystery is all about!

Misty is a naturopath and yoga instructor in Boulder, Colorado. She employs wildcrafted and organic essential oils like Frankincense oil in her practice.

---

Reduce the Effects of Fears and Phobias with Hypnosis

Hypnosis is very useful in the treatment of fears and... Read More

Prevent Disease By Thinking Differently Than Experts

Did you know that all physicians and medical researchers have... Read More

Migraines Are The Great Equalizers

Migraine headaches must be one of the great equalizers that... Read More

Good Vibrations

Esoteric vibrational remedies are really hot right now, especally in... Read More

Aromatherapy

Although the word aromatherapy has not been around forever, the... Read More

Hypnotherapy and How it Can Help

Hypnotherapy is the process of using hypnosis to unlock the... Read More

Hypertension, An Alternative Approach

For many years high blood pressure has been defined based... Read More

About Candida, Its Symptoms & Treatment

Candida is a fungal infection affecting the moist external area... Read More

Pros and Cons of Isopropyl Alcohol

Recently, the term "isopropyl alcohol" has been liken to poisonous... Read More

Health - Its All in the Mind

Do you ever listen to other people's conversations? I mean... Read More

The Mechanics & Effects of Smoking

So exactly what does happen when you smoke?Every puff on... Read More

How Do You Get Hemorrhoids?

A lot of people don't even know they have hemorrhoids.... Read More

Maintaining Healthy Vision Naturally

The training of our eye doctors in this country is... Read More

Your Body?s Secret Wisdom-- Eating from the Tree of Life

Your body's secret wisdom is as ancient as humankind and... Read More

Do You Have Difficulty in Waking Up On Dark Winter Mornings?

Our daily internal body clocks or circadian rhythms synchronise the... Read More

An Introduction to Bach Flower Essences Part I ? The Twelve Healers

What are Bach Flower Essences?Pioneered by Dr. Edward Bach in... Read More

Homeopathy ? Five Things to Know before You ?Go There?

With natural health care so popular, an area that has... Read More

Amazing Artemesias

Artemis - Goddess of the herbalist - gives her name... Read More

Shingles - A Virus Which Can Be Extremely Painful, Or Cleared In No Time - The Choice Is Yours

Shingles, commonly known as the herpes zoster virus is a... Read More

What is Reiki, Benefits of Reiki, Healing Sessions, Herbs that Heal

In Japan, in the early 1920s, Mikao Usui developed Reiki-ho... Read More

Pain Relief: Is There an Alternative?

Do you rely on Vioxx, Celebrex or Aleve (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory... Read More

Herbal Medicine: An Ounce Of Prevention

In recent years the issue of Alternative Healing has taken... Read More

Why Air Purifiers Are Not Always The Answer To Indoor Air Quality Problems

Air purifier filters are not always the answer to air... Read More

I Want To Be Able To Function and Not Be Stopped by My Pain

Why Your Subconscious May Be Able To Give You a... Read More

The Effects of Diet on Infertiltiy

Overwhelmed by studies, research and the constantly changing diet, nutrition... Read More

Basic Reiki

This is a very simplified primer on basic Reiki. It's... Read More

Making Your Lungs Work Better With Water

All of us know when our lungs aren't quite working... Read More

The Subconscious Mind As Teacher: Why It Can Help You Relieve Your Pain

Many disciplines are designed to program the subconscious. But except... Read More

Seven Sinus Headache Solutions

1. Try steam inhalation as one of your sinus headache... Read More

Green Tea for Health: Your Heart Will Thank You

I began drinking green tea about five years ago after... Read More

Why Do So Many People Seem To Have Allergies?

Allergies and asthma arise from loss of the body's natural... Read More

Green Tea prevents and fights the risks of Cancer, why you should be drinking Green Tea

Do you drink Green Tea?Then you should read the information... Read More

Know About the All Purpose Holistic Medicine

Understanding what holistic medicine is:Holistic Medicine is a wellness-based approach... Read More