Frankincense is one of the most widely regarded essential oils for use in spiritual practice, including meditation. Ancient Egyptians used this resin as perfume and incense and as an offering to the Gods. Spiritually, frankincense is regarded to bring deep peace and balance, and bringing clarity to the mind as you explore a meditative state and deeper spiritual understanding.
In this post, I would like to discuss Frankincense, its history, and what makes it one of the best essential oils for meditation. I will also include some customer reviews and suggestions.
History
Frankincense is an ancient and fabled aromatic tree resin, its use as a fragrant perfume reported from a multitude of historical sources as early as 1500 BC. Frankincense consists of the dried resin from the frankincense tree, and it is one of the most common and sought-after aromatic tree resins in the world even today. As perfume makers still delight in the Frankincense resin's rich fragrance.
The Egyptian Ebers Papyrus dated to 1500 BC is the oldest known reference to frankincense, and it prescribes the resin as a use for throat infections and asthmatic attacks. In the first century AD, the Roman writer Pliny mentioned it as an antidote to hemlock; the Islamic philosopher Ibn Sina (or Avicenna, 980-1037 AD) recommended it for tumors, ulcers, and fevers.
Other historical references to frankincense appear in the 6th century AD in the Chinese herbal manuscript Mingyi Bielu, and numerous mentions appear in both old and new testaments of the Judeo-Christian bible. The Periplus maris Erythraei (Periplus of the Erythryean Sea), a 1st century sailor's travel guide to shipping lanes in the Mediterranean, Arabian gulf and Indian Ocean, describes several natural products, including frankincense; Periplus states that South Arabian frankincense was of a finer quality and more highly prized than that from East Africa.
The Greek writer Herodotus reported in the 5th century BC that frankincense trees were guarded by winged serpents of small size and various colors: a myth promulgated to warn off rivals.
Frankincense resin was used in the past for a variety of medicinal, religious and social purposes, and many of those purposes are still used today. Its perhaps best-known use is to create a permeating scent by burning crystalized pieces during rites of passages such as weddings, childbirth, and funerals. The incense is and was used to smooth and oil hair and sweeten the breath; soot from the incense burners is and was used for eye makeup and tattoos.
More pragmatically, melted incense resin is and was used to mend cracked pots and jars: filling the cracks with frankincense makes the vessel watertight again. The bark of the tree is and was used as a red-brown dye for cotton and leather clothing. Some species of resins have a delightful flavor, which is sampled by adding it to coffee or by simply chewing it. Frankincense also is and was also used as a household medicine for dental problems, swellings, bronchitis, and coughs.
There are five species of frankincense tree which produce resins suitable for incense, although the two most commercial today are Boswellia carterii or B. freraeana. The resin harvested from the tree varies from species to species, but also within the same species, depending on local climatic conditions.
Frankincense Science
Frankincense comes from the resin of trees of the genus Boswellia, typically grown in Africa. Its key constituents include some major power players such as alpha-pinene and limonene. These properties promote enhanced immune function. Alpha-pinene specifically is also anti-microbial (it fights off bacteria) and neuro-protective (supporting optimal brain function). Studies show that boswellic acids are documented to be some of the strongest anti-inflammatory compounds in frankincense, and are particularly effective for people who suffer from chronic aches and pains. From wear and tare injuries to rheumatoid arthritis, these properties help flush out the system of excess inflammation and support our bodies natural healing response. Studies show that boswelic acids may be just as effective as NSAIDS, but with fewer side effects.
Spiritual History
The Bible mentions it 52 times, and in ancient times, it was considered more valuable than gold. Its scent is earthy yet uplifting, with a slightly sweet-woodsy aroma. When inhaled through the nose or diffused into the air, frankincense may promote a sense of peace, relaxation, grounding, and connectedness. It’s the perfect companion for getting into a meditative, spiritual state.
Acording to history.com
"At the time Jesus is thought to have been born, frankincense and myrrh may have been worth more than their weight in the third gift presented by the wise men: gold But despite their significance in the New Testament, the substances fell out of favor in Europe with the rise of Christianity and fall of the Roman Empire, which essentially obliterated the thriving trade routes that had developed over many centuries. In the early years of Christianity, incense was expressly forbidden because of its associations with pagan worship; later, however, some denominations, including the Catholic Church, would incorporate the burning of frankincense, myrrh and other aromatic items into specific rites."
In modern magical traditions, frankincense is often used as a purifier – burn the resin to cleanse a sacred space, or use the essential oils* to anoint an area that needs to be purified. Because it is believed that the vibrational energies of frankincense are particularly powerful, many people mix frankincense with other herbs to give them a magical boost.
Many people find that it makes a perfect incense to use during meditation, energy work, or chakra exercises such as opening the third eye. In some belief systems, frankincense is associated with good fortune in business–carry a few bits of resin in your pocket when you go to a business meeting or interview.
"Since ancient times the clean, fresh, balsamic fragrance of Frankincense has been utilized to as perfume–the very word perfume derives from the Latin 'par fumer'–through the (incense) smoke, a direct reference as to the origin of the practise of perfuming. Clothes were fumigated, not only to give them a pleasant smell, but also to cleanse them. Perfuming is a cleansing practice. In Dhofar not only clothes were perfumed, but other articles such as water jugs were also cleansed with smoke to kill bacteria and energetically purify the vessel of life-giving water, just as smudging is practiced today as a method of cleansing ritual objects and purifying the aura of participants as vessels of the divine spirit."
In some traditions of Hoodoo and rootwork, frankincense is used to anoint petitions, and is said to give the other magical herbs in the working a boost.
Recommendation:
Now Frankincense Oil
Price: $17.99 Buy Now
Boswellia carterii
Ingredient: 100% pure frankincense oil
Aroma: Deep, fresh, with subtle hints of citrus and camphor
Attributes: Relaxing, focusing, centering
Mixes Well With: balsam fir needle oil, myrrh oil, orange oil, or sandalwood oil blend
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled from tree resin obtained by exudation of the bark
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