• Frankincense, also called olibanum, is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae, particularly Boswellia sacra (syn: B. carteri, B. thurifera, B. bhaw-dajiana), B. frereana and B. serrata (Indian frankincense).
• Used for many thousands of years, the Frankincense tree has perhaps the greatest association with spiritual practice 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 in religious and domestic life. Frankincense has been sought after by kings and valued as highly as gold. In many cultures it is thought to carry prayers to heaven upon it’s smoke.
• The ancient Egyptians used it in rejuvenation face masks. Charred frankincense was used as the classic heavy eyeliner seen in much ancient Egyptian art. Egyptians also used myrrh resin as incense and as an important ingredient in the embalming process, sometimes placing the crude resin in the eviscerated body cavities of mummies.
• Translucent, pure frankincense resin is edible and is used in traditional medicines in Africa and Asia for digestion and healthy skin. It is often light yellow with a (very) slight greenish tint. It is often chewed like gum, but it is stickier.
• In Ayurvedic medicine frankincense (Boswellia serrata), commonly referred to in India as “dhoop,” has been used for hundreds of years for treating arthritis, healing wounds, strengthening the female hormone system and purifying the air.
• In modern times, the use of frankincense oil proved to have miraculous results in different health problems such as cancer, arthritis, external and internal wounds, skin problems, depression and so much more.
• In a research article published in 2009 and found in the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell viability.
• Other researchers found that frankincense smoke was a psychoactive drug that relieves depression and anxiety.
• Energetically, frankincense is known to be stimulating and elevating to the mind. Used during and before meditation, it aligns energy centers and encourage healing. Its scent is known to attract higher beings such as angels and archangels sometimes responsible for miraculous healings and unforgettable visions or spiritual experiences.
• Useful for visualizing, improving one’s spiritual connection, and centering, it has comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcome stress and despair.

Easy ways to use and benefit from frankincense

• Traditionally, frankincense is used by putting the resign on hot coals. The result is a very aromatic smoke. The most commonly coals used today for this reasons are self-lighting, self-igniting or self-starting charcoal tablets that will light with a single match. They contain saltpeter (sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate) to help them light and stay lit. This is why you’ll see tiny sparks as soon as you touch one with a match or lighter.

• Another commonly used way to benefit from this wonderful resign is in the form of essential oil. It is important for the oil to be obtained in natural ways, without the use of other chemicals. The oil can be used in aromatherapy lamps, lotions, creams, toothpaste, baths or rubbed directly on skin. (Use a diluted form or mix it with your favorite cream or oil if your skin is too sensible to it)

• A less known, but a lot cheaper way to benefit from Frankincense is to put it over a light bulb or in an aromatherapy lamp by itself and let it melt without burning, enjoying the smell and benefits of the volatile substances. This method is smokeless, great for people that do not tolerate the smoke resulting from the burning done using the traditional way. You can try putting the frankincense pearls on a little metal foil over the light bulb as the resign becomes sticky and hard to clean. I use the electric bulb that comes with my aromatherapy lamp for this and the scent obtained is very satisfying.