FRANKINCENSE : Boswellia carteri
Carole Taylor, Clinical Aromatherapist

Frankincense (known also as olibanum) is a tree that grows 9 to 22 feet tall in Somalia, Ethiopia, China, western India and north-eastern Africa. It has many narrow leaves and its flowers are white or pale pink.  The trunk of the tree is incised, which allows a white resinous liquid to slowly exude. This resin then hardens into “tears”, which turn to an amber or orange-brown color. These tears are collected, graded, and some are used as incenses, and others are then steam distilled to produce the essential oil.

The historical uses of Frankincense are quite interesting. It was used in the daily and religious lives of the ancient Babylonians, Egyptians, Hebrews, Greeks, Romans and Persians. The Ancient Egyptians used it as a ritual incense, and charred it to produce “kohl” - a black powder used by women as an eye-shadow and eye-liner!  Frankincense is one of the gifts to Jesus from the Magi, and is mentioned 22 times in the Bible. It is still used today as a primary ingredient in incenses used as Sabbath day offerings, and some Muslims still today cense themselves with it weekly to gain protection from evil spirits and to attract angels.

Today, the essential oil of Frankincense is used to treat bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, laryngitis, conditions of excessive mucous, dry and mature skin, scars, wrinkles and wounds that are difficult to heal.

Frankincense really shines, however, in its more subtle uses. It is extremely calming, and is very effective for anxiety and causes one to breathe more deeply and slowly. It is also used to quiet nightmares, relieve nervous tension, and to help free oneself from things that she/he may be over-attached to. Grief, panic, exhaustion, resistance, apprehension and self-destructiveness are all issues that Frankincense can assist with. “Sundowning”, agitation due to changes in light at sunset or sometimes sunrise, is a condition that many people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia have difficulty with, is often relieved through the use of Frankincense.  

Frankincense’s properties are:  anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic (prevents or inhibits the poisoned state caused by microorganisms in the bloodstream), astringent (tonic/restorative, tightens and removes excess oil from the skin), carminative (settling digestion, relieving gas), cicatrizant (promotes healing through forming scar tissue), cytophylactic (increases white blood cell activity to defend against infection), digestive (promotes/aids food digestion), diuretic (aids production of urine, promotes urination), emmenagogue (causes and/or assists menstruation), expectorant (promotes removal of excess mucus in the respiratory system), metrorrhagia (uterine bleeding other than normal menstruation), sedative (quieting, soothing, tranquilizing), uterine tonic  (strengthens or revives the uterus), and vulnerary (wound healing by external application).  

Carole Taylor is a Clinical Aromatherapist working with LovingScents which specializes in quality essential oils and Aromatherapy Education. Carole can be contacted at 336-294-7727, or e-mail Carole@LovingScents.com. Visit http://www.LovingScents.com.