I love the smell of frankincense. It has a unique, sweet, warm, light, woodsy, camphor smell that feels comforting and soothing.
Frankincense is known as the father of all essential oils. It’s mentioned in one of the oldest known medical records dating back from 16th century BC in the Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian list of prescriptions and recipes. In the Bible, the word frankincense was translated into incense and is mentioned 52 times. Its been said that frankincense has a powerful ability to transmute and neutralize disharmonic energy.
Frankincense was only possessed by the wealthiest people as it was considered more valuable than gold in ancient times.
Frankincense contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system of the brain, which is the center of memory and emotion and hypothalamus (the master gland) of the human body, and the pineal and pituitary gland. This leads to an increase in the release of endorphins, antibodies and neurotransmitters.
Most people are familiar with using frankincense for meditation, yoga, increasing spiritual awareness and improving attitude. It can also be used for stimulating the body’s immune system, treating inflammation, respiratory infection, improving gums, relieving headaches, promoting bone health, treating stomach conditions such as Crohn’s, IBS, ulcerative colitis, improving vision, and promoting eye health.
In Ayurvedic medicine Indian frankincense called Boswellia serrat has been used for hundreds of years for treating arthritis.
Frankincense has an ability to turn off the DNA of cancer cells and return the DNA to a healthy state. It has been proven to kill ovarian, breast, and bladder cancer cells. Immunologist Mahmoud Suhail wrote: “Cancer starts when the DNA code within the cell’s nucleus becomes corrupted. It seems Frankincense has a re-set function. It can tell the cell what the right DNA code should be. Frankincense separates the ‘brain’ of the cancerous cell – the nucleus – from the ‘body’ – the cytoplasm, and closes down the nucleus to stop it reproducing corrupted DNA codes.”
In the middle east, frankincense is used for treating horses with tumors.
Frankincense is excellent for skin care and for preventing and diminishing wrinkles. The ancient Egyptians used frankincense in their rejuvenation face masks.
There are four main species of frankincense (or Boswellia). The grades depend on the time of harvesting. Frankincense is harvested by wounding the bark of the tree (called tapping). The resin that bleeds out from the tree is collected. The hardened resin is called tears. The tears are made into essential oils by using distillation methods.
There are two types of therapeutic grade frankincense Young Living essential oils that I use from everyday, Boswellia carteri and Boswellia sacra. Boswellia carteri is from Somalia. Boswellia sacra grows in Oman, Yemen and Somalia.
All healing is first a healing of the heart. – Carl Townsend