Frankincense, also called olibanum, is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, The English word is derived from old French "franc encens" and is used in incense and perfumes.
There are four main species of Boswellia that produce true frankincense and resin from each of the four is available in various grades. The grades depend on the time of harvesting. The resin is hand-sorted for quality.
Frankincense can also be found in the Christian Bible as one of the three gifts the wise men gave to baby Jesus.
Description: Frankincense is tapped from the scraggly but hardy trees by slashing the bark, which is called striping, and allowing the exuded resin to bleed out and harden. These hardened resins are called tears. There are several species and varieties of frankincense trees, each producing a slightly different type of resin. Differences in soil and climate create even more diversity of the resin, even within the same species.
BoswelliaSacra trees are considered unusual for their ability to grow in environments so unforgiving that they sometimes grow out of solid rock. The initial means of attachment to the rock is unknown but is accomplished by a bulbous disk-like swelling of the trunk. This growth prevents it from being ripped from the rock during violent storms that frequent this region. This feature is slight or absent in trees grown in rocky soil or gravel. The aroma from these tears is more valuable for their presumed healing abilities and are also said to have superior qualities for religious ritual.
Uses & Benefits:
Frankincense essential oil is great for skin care and nearly everything related to skin; burns, rashes, cuts, scrapes, and oozing sores. It’s also fabulous for mature, prematurely aging, and environmentally challenged skin.
Soaps, shampoos, conditioners (things that you wash off) can be stronger in general than products you leave on your skin. Frankincense oil can be added to pure water and used as a toner or refresher.
No need to add frankincense oil to your bath gel if you don’t want to, or have something other blend in there. Just add a few drops to your washcloth and run it over yourself during your final (hot water) rinse. The steam will infuse with frankincense and you will enjoy a quick and intense frankincense steam bath. Refreshing and relaxing at the same time.
Frankincense is a great mini-facial. Just take a pot or pan of boiling water, add a drop or two (no more) frankincense oil to it. Lean over it and cover your head with a towel, breathing deeply. Your lungs will be so happy and your face will rejoice you can also try one drop frankincense and one drop lavender.
Whether your meditation is sitting, standing, walking, yogic or even very active, such as martial arts, frankincense will enable you to deepen the experience and aid your focus so that you benefit as much as possible from your practice, whatever it is. Just take a few drops on your palms, rub them together, breathe in deeply, and enjoy.
Green frankincense is not usually available in stores unless they are very specialized. Green frankincense is expensive, rare and fleeting, with a comparatively short shelf life. Sunlight destroys the freshness and it will fade to white or yellow. If you ever see green frankincense on a store shelf, don’t buy it, unless it’s completely protected from the light. That means no glass jars, even blue or amber ones. No Light at all. In Oman, shops keep it in baskets under the counter and only bring it out upon request.
Remember, all frankincense oils are not alike. If you use regularly and then use a different one, you may find some differences, including side effects.