Frankincense Oil has been used for thousands of years for its beneficial therapeutic effects, especially in the Middle-East. It has been discovered among ancient Egyptian remains and in the Christian religion, it is believed to be one of the 3 Wise Men gifts to the new-born child in Bethlehem. It’s been actually used for various religious practices for a long time.

Today, Frankincense Oil is manly used in Aromatherapy and Natural Holistic Health care for its many therapeutic effects.

1.       What is Frankincense?

Frankincense is the gum resin that is extracted from the Boswellia trees. They grow in some parts across Asia and Africa, where the climate is dry. Oman is the most ancient source of frankincense. This substance is now often steam-distilled to become an aromatic essential oil, with many powerful health benefits.

The best quality of Frankincense is a clear and silvery substance, with a bit of green tinge to it. The cheapest, more readily available Frankincense Oil is brown-yellow.

Frankincense Oil is woody, spicy. Inhale a bit of the scent and you feel straight away a sense of calmness, peace, mood enhancing effect.

Now let’s see what this is all about.

2.       Frankincense Oil’s main active components

The most potent active component is Frankincense Oil are:

-          Monoterpenes: these are bioactive compounds that help your liver and kidneys get rid of your toxins because they are antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating, and expectorant.

-          Sesquiterpenes: those compounds go across the blood/brain barrier, and therefore are able to stimulate the limbic system of the brain, the hypothalamus, and the pineal and pituitary glands…. This is one of the reasons why Frankincense Oil is so beneficial for depressive persons more particularly.

 

3.       Main health benefits

-          Apply topically with a carrier oil (coconut oil is always good) to help speed up wounds healing like minor cuts / scrapes. Because of its astringent, antiseptic and disinfectant properties, it is very helpful to stop wounds bleeding and protect against infections as well

-          Apply topically on acne, scars, wrinkles and see your skin heal and get purer, with marks fading away. This is because it helps cells and body tissues stay healthy by improving cells regeneration. That’s how Frankincense Oil can help for dry skin, signs of ageing and appearance of stretch marks

-          Because it is astringent, it also helps strengthen gums and hair roots

-          It increases the absorption of nutrients and strengthens your Immune System

-          It is useful for Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis because it inhibits the production of key inflammatory molecules, and therefore prevents the deterioration of cartilage tissue

-          it is a great pain killer due to its overall anti-inflammatory properties

-          Helps for Colds, Bronchitis and other Respiratory problems, by clearing up the respiratory tracts and lungs

-          Helps relieve digestive problems: it accelerates the production of gastric juices, bile and other acids, and stimulates the motion of the intestines (peristaltic movement), clearing up your bowels

-          Because it is antiseptic, it is very beneficial to oral health, especially for bad breath, cavities, tooth aches and other buccal infections

-          Regulates menstrual cycle and relieves menstrual issues for women, especially pre-menopause. Because it regulates estrogen production, Frankincense Oil decreases the risk of post-menopause tumor or uterine cyst formation

-          Relieves pain: massage it on painful area with career oil for better results

 

But above all, Frankincense Oil, when smelled or just inhaled via a diffuser or a vaporizer is a strong relaxation help. Or burn it as an incense and enjoy the cleansing properties of the smoke. It opens up airways and decreases blood pressure, and because it can cross the blood/brain barrier, you can feel quite quickly a sense of mental tranquillity.

This is why it is also often used for meditation or de-stress massages. It does decrease anxiety, fear, anger and depression. It is being used as a key agent in some depression treatments with great results.

You can also take a few drops underneath your tongue for great effects.

I would also like to say that Frankincense Oil is being studied now for its potential cancer-fighting properties. It has got an agent that might stop cancer from spreading. Studies are still working on that, but what we can take from it is that…. It can only be helpful to start having some regularly.

 

*SPECIAL ATTENTION*:

Some people might want to spot-test to check sensitivity, but no severe side-effects have ever been reported. Sensitive people might have some nausea or Gastro-Intestinal destress, but that’s about it.

A special attention though to people taking blood-thinning medication or with blood thinning disorder, as Frankincense Oil has some blood-thinning properties.

Pregnant or nursing women should also avoid Frankincense Oil as it may induce menstruation.

It is better to not use for kids below 6 years old. And after that, if orally taken, better to dilute quite a bit. Always ask your health practitioner for advice.

 

I personally use Frankincense Oil when I feel I am too stressed and don’t manage to handle my stress properly. I love to have it with my Epsom Salt Bath for a great “feel good” relaxing effect. At the beginning I didn’t like the scent that much, but now I must say that I love it. This Essential Oil is very powerful and potent, and I do believe that anyone should start trying it out!

In Health and Happiness

Stephanie