In biblical times, frankincense essential oil was used for religious rituals, flavoring food, and many healing purposes. One of the oldest known medical records, Ebers Papyrus from the 16th century BC, mentions frankincense. The ancient Egyptians listed the oil on hundreds of prescriptions and recipes.
The sweet, warm, balsamic aroma of frankincense oil stimulates, elevates, and focuses the mind to help overcome stress and despair.
According to The Fragrant Heavens by Valerie Ann Worwood, “…it will adapt to a person’s spiritual state of being, like an ever-watchful older friend capable of offering support.”
From a chemical standpoint, this essential oil’s main components are terpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, which reduce bacterial infections and inflammation and are often mentally simulating.
Frankincense is a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin because it improves skin tone and condition.
Here are some ways to use frankincense oil:
- Inhale, diffuse, or massage onto your body to deepen breathing and induce calmness.
- Diffuse to enhance prayer, visualization, and meditation and improve your spiritual connection.
- Place a drop on scars and stretch marks to minimize or soothe them.
- Place 1-2 drops directly on a bug bite to help reduce itching and swelling.
- Drop onto minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises to reduce redness and discomfort.
- Get rid of gum, glue, or tough adhesives on household surfaces or skin by rubbing them with a drop or two of frankincense oil.
- Apply 1-2 drops of frankincense to your face and neck daily to help repair sun damage and renew healthy-looking skin.
- Massage several drops on the temples or back of the neck for stress relief.
In rare cases, there may be skin sensitivity, so spot test first. Frankincense may even be beneficial against cancer. A study published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine in March 2009 showed that frankincense essential oil “suppressed cell viability in bladder transitional carcinoma J82 cells.” Let’s hope more research shows positive results!
Author: Carol Wiley
Carol Wiley, LMP, is a massage therapist in Seattle, WA. Download a free Using Aromatherapy and Essential Oils ebook [http://www.funwithcarol.com/free-aromatherapy-ebook.html] or visit Using Aromatherapy and Essential Oils Blog to learn ways to safely use essential oils in your everyday life.
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