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
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