Frankincense: The King of Oils

Frankincense. Most of us have heard of it from the story of the three wisemen and Jesus' birth. They brought to this most important infant three precious gifts: gold, myrrh, and Frankincense. But did you know why those three items were chosen over all the valuable wares in the ancient world? And guess which one was the most valuable of the three, pound for pound? You guessed it: Frankincense.

Frankincense has sparked my curiosity since I got my first starter kit of true, pure essential oils in 2014. I'm not talking about the little vials you got from the church store, or worse some of the incense you may have smelled in the past. I'm talking about the pure therapeutic-grade essential oil, distilled with steam and zero fluff added. 

The dictionary defines Frankincense as an aromatic gum resin obtained from an African tree and burned as incense. That's about as basic as you can boil down this aromatic resin. I've found that it's actually far more complex and beautiful than Merriam-Webster suggests. When you distill it into an essential oil, the benefits of this ancient botanical are many and even downright miraculous. In this researched topic, I will share with you the basic types of the frankincense trees, some facts about the history of frankincense, and it's therapeutic use among doctors and lay people today. My hope is that you will leave feeling educated and inspired to obtain your own bottle, or perhaps set of oils, to begin using and loving as I do.

We'll start with some basic plant information. There are multiple species of frankincense, all from the genus Boswellia. The big four varieties are Boswellia serrata, carterii, frereana, and papyrifera, which can be found in West India, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Sudan. As you probably guessed, Frankincense requires a particular climate and soil type which is why you won't find them growing anywhere near the US.

There is a 5th and very precious species called Boswellia Sacra or Sacred Frankincense. It is only found in one country, Oman, and until a few years ago was reserved for Saudi royalty. It is HIGHLY prized, and they do believe that it was the variety given to the Christ child due to it's geographical location to the camel caravans of Biblical times, and the fact that it was reserved for the elite of the day. On that note, let's talk a little bit about the history of this cherished organic material.

I mentioned earlier that frankincense was, pound for pound, more valuable than gold. In fact, only those with great wealth and abundance possessed it. According to one article on Frank, "The allure of frankincense enticed adventurers from afar who sought the irresistible resin, and the Frankincense Trail in Oman’s Dhofar region was purportedly visited by the notable explorers Marco Polo and Lawrence of Arabia." Some of the compounds in frankincense, including alpha-pinene and boswellic acids, are responsible for an analgesic, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Knowing this, one could conclude that Frankincense was carefully chosen as a gift for Jesus due to its ability to keep this baby alive and healthy, during a time when the infant mortality rate was about 30%. In other words, approximately 1/3 of babies in the 1st century Roman Empire did not live to see their first birthday. Frankincense was indeed a wise choice for the babe born in Bethlehem. Other ancient uses include perfumery and religious ceremonies where it became the basis of the holy incense, where it is still used today in Catholic Churches, especially.

Speaking of today, I'd like to wrap up with how the ancient love of Frankincense never died and has actually been resurrected with the availability of pure frankincense essential oil. Frankincense is one of the Swiss army knife-oils, with a variety of uses and therapeutic value. For one, "the smoke from burning frankincense is effective for driving away mosquitoes and other pests, thereby reducing incidences of malaria." For locales prone to pest-borne diseases, you can imagine that frankincense would be quite the commodity. According to researchgate.net, frankincense constituents  "reduce inflammatory conditions in the course of rheumatism by inhibiting leukocyte elastase and degrading glycosaminoglycans." All that medical jargon to say, it contains anti-inflammatory properties which can help remedy conditions such as arthritis. Other medicinal uses for frankincense according to this same study include reducing the risk of asthma, bronchitis, and sinusitis, as well as ameliorating digestive distress caused by ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome. Talk about a one-stop-shop!

Perhaps the most fascinating use that many progressive doctors are employing in clinics, is tapping into it's anti-tumoral properties. Yes, we're talking about using it on the big C word: cancer. According to Cancer Versus Essential Oils and Other Super Nutrients, "in addition to myrrh and many citrus oils such as orange, Frankincense is in the forefront of research in combating cancers. Just listen to these findings: 

K. Hostanska of University Hospital in Zurich concluded that "boswellic acids from frankincense exert anti proliferative activity toward a variety of malignant cells." 
S. Waxman of Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York surmised, "it seems that boswellic acids are potent apoptic agents to cancer cells." 
And according to YS Park in the department of Neurosurgery of Cleveland Clinic Foundation, "Boswellic acids from frankincense gum exhibit potent cytotoxic activity against central nervous system tumors."

Wow! This is true research being published and replicated across the world and it's fantastic news for those facing a cancer diagnosis. In fact, that same booklet goes onto say that humans and animals have had their tumors effectively shrunken by frankincense essential oil. And all this without the horrible side effects of chemotherapy and/or radiation. 

In summation, Frankincense trees contain constituents that can provide great therapeutic value to human life. It has been used and prized for thousands of years for it's religious and medicinal purposes and was likely given to the Christ child to ensure his longevity and wellbeing. Frankincense is used now in essential oil form amongst people looking to support respiratory health, digestive health, and normal cellular growth. In fact, so much research is being published that doctors have begun using them in cancer wards across the world. After hearing all of this, are you interested in getting your hands on frankincense and maybe some other essential oils that are just as fascinating? If so, I think I may know someone. ;)

Sources:
https://www.youngliving.com/blog/the-true-legendary-omani-frankincense-boswellia-sacra/
http://www.mei.edu/sqcc/frankincense
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292140720_Frankincense_-_therapeutic_properties
Cancer Versus Essential Oils and other Super Nutrients, Dr. Terry Friendmann, MD., Copyright 2006 Life Science Publishing

Why Gary's Death Is Hitting Me Hard

Who was Gary Young to me? Simply put, the founder of the company I work for. But that's as simple as I can get it.

Why, then, did I weep and sob for hours upon finding out that he passed away? Is that a common reaction for 1 of 4 million members to have, especially one who has only worked in his company for about three years? The day I found out, I wrote this tribute post which you can read here. And it's since been a few days and I've been able to chew a little more on why I have continued to feel a deep sense of loss for a man I've technically met once and have seen on stage about ten times. And I believe I've boiled it down to this:

Everywhere I look, there is a story.

You know how when you lose someone close to you, it's particularly hard to get over because you have so many memories together? Everywhere you look there is an item that reminds you of that person and you start crying all over again? There are songs and places and things that are constantly coming to mind, which makes the grief fresh and new again?

That's how it is for me with Gary. Except that my memories of actually seeing him are quite few. I can count those on two hands. And my memories of spending time with him are ONE and even that was brief. For me, it's the products. And the stories behind those products.

You see, everywhere I turn there is a story. A story of Gary Young tied into the products I use every day. And more importantly, a story of how that product has altered my life unequivocally for the better. The products I use everyday forever tie me to Gary Young and I feel personally indebted to him for creating them for me, and millions the world over. Allow me to share some of those stories with you now.

Every morning, I open the fridge and take out a cold bottle of Ningxia Red and I think of the story Gary told us about how he came to formulate that delicious beverage. He talked about hearing of a people group all the way in the Ningxia Province of China and how so many of them were centenarians, dying of old age (we're talking 100+) and not of disease. Ever the curious mind, Gary set out to find out the magic formula for their longevity and they showed him the "red diamonds" as they called them--Wolfberries, a goji berry super food. But this particular variety contained all of the essential amino acids and a high protein content. So he came home and made Ningxia Red, formulating it with other fruit extracts and citrus oils for their d-limonene content.

And my story? Ningxia was something I slowly got into, but once I did, I fell head over heels. I started drinking it at my first convention (as many do with the ever-flowing Club Red bar) and then came home and committed to 1 ounce a day at first and slowly increased it to 2 ounces a day. That Ningxia Red is making my placenta rich and nutritious for the baby I'm growing in my womb so I don't ever miss my daily drink! From one trip to China to my refrigerator, I think of Gary Young every time I take a drink.

Another story:

Valor. That pretty little purple bottle. But it's what's inside that holds all the magic. Valor is my all-time favorite blend, specifically the original formulation with the rosewood. I save my original Valor (what's left of my two opened bottles) for the days when I really need it. Every time I open the bottle and inhale, I can't describe the feeling I get but I can relay a story. A story that Gary told us at convention of how Valor's formulation came to be. I'll spare you the details (mostly because I don't want to get the story wrong and Gary tells it best) but essentially Gary was up against a lawsuit, of which he knew he was in the right. He decided to be his own defense and was feeling a mite nervous the night before. He remembered somewhere he read a story about Roman soldiers who bathed in a botanicals the night before battle to bring forth courage for the big day. And from that story of the Roman soldiers came a little bottle of Valor that Gary used to defend himself at court. And do you know what? He won.

My story? Valor was an oil that came in my premium starter kit years ago in October of 2014. I liked it at first, but wasn't in love with it. It reminded me of grapes. But little by little, the more I used it, the more I craved it. There was something so soothing about the smell, but even better, was the effect it had on my energy field. Every time I applied it, I felt more balanced, centered, and connected to my spiritual self. I began to feel that this oil possessed some sort of mystical qualities and would use it on my upper back each morning to promote alignment and would look forward to the beginning and end of every Raindrop as Valor is the keystone blend. Now that the original formulation is no more, I cherish the few drops I have left. I have since replaced it with Valor's new formulation which is very similar to the original but still isn't my baby. I will always think of Gary and the courage he needed to fight his legal battle as I apply Valor with the set intention to win my daily battles.

One more story:

Lavender is THE oil that everyone has in their homes, even if it's a crappy brand. Essentially, when most people think of the word aromatherapy, their first thought is Lavender oil. When I see and use my lavender oil every day, I think of a story. I think of the story Gary Young told at convention and that I re-read in Mary Young's D Gary Young book. Once upon a time in the eighties, a man named Gary Young wanted to learn all he could about essential oils and distillation so he spent a ton of time studying under the French aromatherapy masters who had learned a thing or two and were glad to impart their wisdom to such an eager American. Gary wanted to try growing and distilling his own plants, so before leaving he took some seeds from France's true lavender fields and shoved them into his boot. This was before the days of having to take your shoes off at the airport, so Gary Young literally bootlegged lavender seeds from France and took them back to start his own farm. Long story short, the plants grew very well and we get our fantastic lavender oil from some of the fields that are descendants of those first pioneering plants. There is a crazy side to this story. Because at some point a few years ago, the lavender crops in France began to ail. French farmers struggled to preserve their lavender against drought, viruses, and fungus which is not good because France is known for their lavender industry. Gary's lavender was flourishing, so he returned the seeds he bootlegged some 20 years before. The lavender that is currently thriving in Provence, France is original French lavender that had been transplanted by Gary Young to America, and then returned back to French soil to save the day.

What's my story? My story is that I started my oil journey with another company. GASP! I know, blasphemous. But I'm grateful for it, because it was using those oils side by side with Young Living's that gave me a greater appreciation for the superior quality of our oils. The other company's lavender smelled really sweet and enticing and I really liked it at first. When I received Young Living's lavender, I was like OMG, this is SO STRONG. It smells kinds of herbaceous! Not sweet and bath-bomby like all lavender I had spent my life smelling. But as luck would have it, I would go through a LOT of lavender, it being the Swiss army knife and all. So I ended up using both bottles and then some. And do you know what happened? Young Living's strong lavender oil WORKED better and therefore began smelling better to me. It actually reminded me of a lavender PLANT and not a bath bomb, which now that I think of it: I think your lavender oil should smell like a plant. So it won me over (side note: the exact same thing happened for me with the competing companies' peppermint oils as well)! And now, there's not a day goes by that I don't use lavender for something. And every time I do, I'm reminded of Gary's tireless effort to study under the best of the best, his cunning way of getting the best into the hands of Americans (and now the world), and how grateful I am that I never have to run out of such a staple ever again.

I could tell more and more and MORE stories about Gary and his products and how they have seamlessly worked their way into my life and have impacted my family for the better. I could talk about how Gary came up with the Thieves blend and how Thieves is GOD at the Harvey household. Or how Gary shared Mary Young's skincare secret for looking so young (Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood) and how that was my first splurge oil and I had to convince my husband that I deserved a $95 bottle of oil. Or how the baby in my belly is tied to Progessence Plus and Idaho Blue Spruce and how Gary Young has stories about how those products came to be as well.

To wrap up a long post, losing Gary cannot be out of my mind. He is everywhere I turn in my house. He is in every supplement, essential oil, cream, and serum I use. His signature is on the back of the bottles that dot every room of my house. His stories from the stage are ingrained in my memories. But most importantly, the stories of how my life has been enriched are wrapped up with Gary inside of them. And maybe even more importantly, the lives I help change by introducing them to YLEO and their testimonials will forever tie me to the man who started it all. The man who kept pushing through adversity after adversity because giving up was not an option. The man who started a company and a foundation that is changing the world.

So I will never stop carrying that torch and sharing his stories with all those I encounter. And I will grieve as hard as my heaving body will let me, for he may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. D Gary Young is etched into my sense of purpose like a story written upon my heart and for that, I am eternally grateful.

Love always,
Michelle Harvey

My Tribute to D Gary Young

Breathe. 

I just learned of our founder D Gary Young’s passing, and I keep vacillating from sobbing to denial to quiet. This is no ordinary CEO of a company; in fact, he gave that position to his wife because he’d much rather be on a horse, in the fields, and exploring other countries than in a business suit in a meeting room. I began sifting through some of my favorite photos of him to shed light on the kind of person he was: an adventurer, a pioneer, a maverick, a botanical genius, a master formulator, an inspiring leader, a compassionate philanthropist, an engaging teacher, and a doting husband and father. And so much more.

He has battled health setback after health setback and has pushed through them all, until now. He’s battled ridicule and bad press, but he kept pressing forward—building more farms, creating more jobs, funding more humanitarian projects, and changing the lives of everyone who has made their way into his beloved company, Young Living.

I can imagine the tears spilling all over the planet, for the lives he touched were spread far and wide. Ecuador. Australia. France. Croatia. Oman. Nepal. More....

Our company has lost the mastermind behind these life-changing oils—My life—Has been forever transformed, deeply, through and through...because of his genius—his hard-headed genius, his tenacity, his keep-on-keepin-on spirit that led to the creation of the products that I choose never to go without. It was also this raw stubbornness that led to him pushing personal boundaries far beyond any limits others could place on him. Jousting, dog mushing in subzero temps in his late 60s, building schools, farms, houses in Nepal with his own bare hands...telling his body that it could do more and more and more; believing in—never doubting—the power behind the very products he created for the world.

I am sad for those who will never watch him light up the stage with his brilliant stories. I weep for his wife and sons; good Lord the love they had for that man is something fierce. I pray that the vision of this company will not only continue, but will flourish in the legacy he leaves. I will not say RIP for Gary doesn't rest. Ride on, DGY, ride on.