Let’s Talk Frankincense
Do you love the woodsy, almost spicy aroma of Frankincense as part of your holiday times? Perhaps you diffuse it on other days as well to bering a sense of calm to your day. In this journal entry I’d like to share the history, benefits, and uses of one of my favorite essential oils - Frankincense.
Frankincense is an aromatic resin harvested from Boswellia trees. doTERRA Frankincense essential oil is distilled from the resin of Boswellia trees found in three different regions in the coastal area of the Arabian Peninsula: Ethiopia, Somalia, and Oman. The trees thrive in these dry, rocky regions and begin to produce their resin when they reach approximately eight to ten years of age. Resins are released near the surface of the plant. Touch a Boswellia tree and you may be left with a bit of sticky resin on your hand. It’s not harmful, but only the tree sharing with you the substance that produces its well-sought after aroma. To harvest the resin, taps or wounds are made in the tree bark three times a year, creating tears of sticky resin that weep from the tree and then harden. The resin protects the wound on the tree from insect invasion and disease. Tapping the tree doesn’t cause long term harm to the tree unless it is over harvested, evidenced by multiple deep cuts or by harvesting the resin without allowing the tree sufficient recovery time between harvests. The resin is sorted for quality, with lighter resins in higher demand. One tree can produce about 2 pounds of resin per year.
Frankincense has a sacred long past reaching far back into ancient times. The earthy aroma given off by the resin of the Boswellia tree was used by the Egyptians as part of the mummification process as well as a perfume when mixed with a bit of fat. The ancient Egyptians burned incense made from Frankincense in the mornings as part of their daily rituals. Frankincense was integral to the spice and incense trade routes that date back to 3000 BC, some 5000 years ago. By 1500 BC there were established land and sea trade routes from the Arabian peninsula to the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia and on to the eastern Mediterranean region. Frankincense is mentioned in the Bible as one of three gifts from the magi to the Christ child: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Frankincense is found among the writings of ancient Greeks and Romans. It was traded in ancient times as far away as China. Today frankincense is among the resins burned as incense in both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches located across the world.
With a high demand for Frankincense essential oils, Bosweilla trees are under the ever-present threat of being over harvested. Another unknown but ever-present threat is the possibility of drought that comes with all of its devastating consequences. With sustainability in mind, today Boswellia tree nurseries have been established in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Oman to ensure the viability of the tree as part of the economic development of these poverty-stricken and war-torn regions of the world. Harvesting of resin has become a main source of employment for local communities where Boswellia trees are integral to the culture and, as in Somalia, and are passed down through generations as part of tribal and lineage rights. Understanding and respecting the cultural heritage and traditions of the region are integral to the source management of Frankincense essential oil. doTERRA is part of the sustainability efforts to ensure that the Bosweilla trees survive and thrive, and thus become an economic driver for the the growth and success of local communities in the region.
There are simply so many benefits that come with Frankincense, including possible help as an anti-inflammatory, improved digestion, respiratory benefits, and oral health. Fast forward to the uses of frankincense today. doTERRA notes 11 amazing uses for frankincense. I’m reproducing those uses here.
Add Frankincense’s incredible aroma to any room in your house by making this DIY Essential Oil Room Spray. Start by getting an empty glass spray bottle and putting in 15 drops of Frankincense oil, 15 drops of Grapefruit oil, and 30 drops of Douglas Fir oil. Top off the rest of the bottle with water. You now have the most amazing room spray! Just spritz this spray on carpet, furniture, or in the air of any room you desire. When using this homemade spray, you will be able to bask in the rich fragrance of doTERRA Frankincense oil, and experience its relaxing and peaceful benefits.
Razor bumps can be irritating and can turn your morning shave into a daylong frustration. Even though shaving may be essential, razor bumps are not. Provide relief to your skin with this do-it-yourself Razor Relief Skin Serum enhanced with Frankincense oil. It is one of the best oils to help skin feel and look rejuvenated. By using this serum, the chemical properties of the oil will aid in reducing appearances of skin imperfections and the serum will benefit the irritated skin by soothing the sensitive razor bumps for an all-day appearance and feel you will love.
What better way to start your day than with the relaxing fragrance of Frankincense essential oil? Whether you are a yoga enthusiast or a morning meditator, diffusing this essential oil during these experiences will aid you in focusing your intention for the day. The fragrances of Frankincense oil will also help bring added satisfaction, peace, relaxation, and even feelings of overall wellness to your morning routine. With its strong aromatic properties, Frankincense essential oil is essential in giving a positive and focused lift to the rest of your day.
One of Frankincense’s most powerful benefits is its ability to promote health, specifically cellular function.* Try taking this essential oil internally by adding one to two drops in a Veggie capsule. This natural supplement will help support healthy cellular function.* In fact, doTERRA has found Frankincense oil to be so beneficial in supporting cellular function that doTERRA uses it in their highest selling supplements—the doTERRA Lifelong Vitality Pack. Try this DIY supplement and experience the cellular benefits you may be in need of.*
Are your hands experiencing dryness from the winter air? Do you want to improve the look of your scaly hands? Frankincense can help! Whenever your hands are feeling or looking unmoisturized or marred by harsh weather, add a couple drops of Frankincense oil to the moisturizer of your choice to help hydrate and rejuvenate. The scent of this essential oil combined with your moisturizer will add a warm, spicy, and clean scent to your skin. You’ll want to take this lotion with you wherever you go
When using Frankincense essential oil to revive the look and feel of your hands, don’t forget your fingernails. Whenever traveling somewhere dry, apply this essential oil to maintain healthy looking fingernails. Simply place a drop of oil on your nail and rub it around the cuticles and edges of your fingernails. This will leave your nails looking healthy and strong even in the driest locations.
Feeling stressed? It just so happens that Frankincense essential oil has a solution for that. Its chemical components result in an extremely powerful aroma that can help to dispel negative feelings—like stress. If you are feeling like the pressures of life are weighing down your mood, apply Frankincense to the bottom of your feet. The soothing sensation and aroma will promote feelings of relaxation and a balanced mood. Don’t let outside pressures get you down, use your essential oils to get you feeling upright and ready to take on the day ahead of you.
There is so much fun to be had outdoors! From running around in the grass to biking a dirt path, to planting some seasonal flowers, your hands and feet are constantly active, helping you make the best out of your outdoor adventures. But at the end of the day, feet and hands can get tired from all of that activity. Treat your hands and feet with a Frankincense oil massage that will have them feeling and looking rejuvenated for another active day outside. Add a couple drops to your feet and hands and massage the oil into your skin. This massage will give you a soothing and warming effect that your hands and feet won’t want to miss out on.
Try this amazing “Star in the East” diffuser blend and fill your home with a warm and peaceful aroma. To create this blend, add 1 drop of Frankincense oil, 1 drop of Sandalwood oil, and 2 drops of Grapefruit oil to your diffuser for the perfect diffuser blend. The “Star in the East” blend works great for encouraging relaxation and uplifting mood.
Enjoy a facial rejuvenation day with this DIY Clay Facial Mask. With a simple combination of bentonite clay, cider vinegar, and essential oils, your face will feel nourished and fresh. Because Frankincense contains properties that help revitalize and beautify the skin, this homemade clay mask will prove ideal for facial care. For best results, apply this mask to your skin once a week and enjoy that continual fresh facial glow.
With so many benefits and uses, Frankincense essential oil has rightfully earned its title as the “king” of all essential oils. It’s beautifying, aromatic, and health-promoting* properties are extremely powerful and can easily improve an everyday lifestyle. For anyone seeking a helpful essential oil tip, always remember, if in doubt, use Frankincense.