Botanical name:
Boswellia carteri (Somalia)
Boswelia sacra (Oman, Yemen, and southern Saudi Arabia)
Boswelia frereana (Somalia)
Boswelia papyifera (Western Ethiopia)
Boswelia serrata (Western India)
In one of the best written articles I have ever read, April Long writes:
“As trees go, Boswellia sacra is no beauty. It’s low, knobby, and gnarled, like Harry Potter’s Whomping Willow mixed with a baobab, a bonsai, or something out of Dr. Seuss. The environment in which it grows, too, is particularly punishing: It thrives in searing heat and relentless wind; its roots cling precariously to desert rocks where no other living thing can find purchase.
Yet the scent of the tree’s resin—that sublime and sacred substance known as frankincense—has enthralled human beings for millennia. Once as valuable as gold, it has fueled the growth of empires, sparked battles, sealed truces. It’s probably the most famous Christmas gift ever given. And, like many of the earth’s botanical treasures, we are uncomfortably close to losing it forever.”
If you have a head full of the things of the spirit, you will love frankincense. There is a mystery, a certain joy, some tears, love, wealth, dreams and hope captured in the fragrance of frankincense. From the child Jesus to Catholic cathedrals, from trains of camels with the captive Joseph to mysterious princesses from Oman, from dry deserts with poverty -stricken Somalis harvesting resin to perfume artists in the Middle East smiling from behind black beards under white turbans - frankincense is everywhere.
In the Bible Frankincense is often referred to in connection with prayer:
Leviticus 24: 5-9 KJV
And thou shalt take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes thereof: two tenth deals shall be in one cake. And thou shall set them in two rows, six on a row, upon the pure table before the Lord. And thou shalt put pure frankincense upon each row, that it may be on the bread for a memorial, even and offering made by fire unto the LORD.
Revelations 8: 1-5
1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in the heaven about the space of half an hour. 2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 and the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayer of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
People tend to have some primordial knowledge about certain things, and these days it is becoming more and more apparent that certain intuitive practices have scientific grounds. Frankincense contains about 28 already-identified chemical components, the therapeutic value of which is as follows:
As a medicinal aid, frankincense essential oil can help with the following:
It is antiseptic, promotes the healing of wounds, the formation of scar tissue and encourages the growth of skin cells. The oil slows tissue deterioration, and is good for dry mature skin, marks, wounds and wrinkles.
As for digestion, it improves general digestion and as a diuretic it helps with water retention.
Some diseases such as asthma are often linked to stress and anxiety. Here frankincense performs an excellent task because it does two things: it lowers anxiety, nervous tension and relieves stress, and has the ability to make breathing deeper and calmer.
Energy flow
This is a concept that is more often used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda.
The idea has to do with the thought that when you have been exposed to constant stress, trauma, tension and so on, an accumulation of stress develops in your emotional system, or mental system, aura or energy field. Frankincense has a significant influence on the flow of energy where there is an accumulation of stress, leading to irritability, restlessness and insomnia.
Personality profile
People who intuitively like frankincense often exude the impression of secrecy and mystery. They show maturity, confidence and efficiency. Although they are not necessarily religious in the traditional sense of the word, they often have a deep love for God.
They are usually good communicators and are warm, friendly and loving.
Frankincense fans are also sensitive to atmosphere and the type of energy, atmosphere, attitude or frequency in people and spaces.
Subtle aromatherapy
This term indicates the influence that an essential oil has on your essence as a person - this is understood as the subtle or invisible you - the part of you that contains eternal life.
Frankincense helps here with meditation, contemplation and prayer. If you struggle to cut ties with the past - in other words thoughts and obsessive thinking about what was, instead of what is and will be, inhaling frankincense, or massaging with frankincense oil will help. This is especially the case where these ties hinder personal growth. This particular oil also helps to calm an overactive mind.
Source: Battaglia, S.
The complete guide to aromatherapy 2nd edition.
The International Center of Holistic Aromatherapy, Brisbane, Australia, 2003. P 204 - 205
Please read April Long's entire article from here - it's worth it!
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/beauty-products/a29801466/frankincense-scent-history-popularity/
Application:
3-5 drops in a diffuser or bath water.
6-9 drops on 10ml carrier oil.
Apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil are carrier oils that absorb very easily.
Shop essential oils here: https://www.mirrekaneel.com/shop-essential-oils/
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