Frankincense Oil
Frankincense Oil is extracted from the resin of the Frankincense tree. This tree is a member of the Burseraceae plant family. It is indigenous to the Middle East countries like Somalia and Arabia. Frankincense trees generally grow up to a maximum height of 20ft. This genus has certain species of trees. The branches of these trees are found growing near its base. This tree bears small flowers that are pale red or yellow-white in color. The cute little fruits of this tree is a favorite food for many birds and is often fed for livestock. The Frankincense leaves appear in pinnacles. The name ‘Frankincense’ is extracted from the French word ‘Franc’ which means ‘luxuriant’ or ‘real incense’. This was the first gum used along with Myrrh as incense. Frankincense trees are usually treasured for thousands of years together for its natural aroma and curative benefits. People of many cultures and religions highly valued this tree for their own values. For instance, the Hebrews and the Christians respected this tree as it was one of the gifts offered to baby Jesus. Resin is nothing but a milky juice extracted from the trunk of the tree. The bark of this tree peels off in narrow strips as deep incisions are made in the tree trunk. After few weeks, a milky juice comes out from the tree and it gets hardened on contact with air. This hardened stuff is the resin of Frankincense from which the essential oil is extracted.
Frankincense oil is extracted from the oleo gum resin of this tree through steam distillation method. These trees start producing the gum resin when they are 8 to 10 years old. This oil has a serene, devotional, woody, haunting, spicy and pleasant smell. Frankincense oil is pale yellow-green in color. This essential oil has an extremely calming and soothing effect on the mind and body. Frankincense oil blends well with sandalwood oil, orange oil, myrrh oil, lemon oil, lavender oil, bergamot oil, benzoin oil and pine oil.
Latin name: Boswellia carterii.
Alternative names: Gum thus, Olibanum.
Frankincense trees generally grow well in arid climatic areas. It is found growing in plenty in the rocky hillsides and cliffs of Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, North Africa including Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Frankincense oil contains boswellic acid, a-pinene, linalool, actanol, bornyl acetate, octyl acetate, incensyl acetate, incensole and alibanoresin, and this oil has disinfectant, emenagogue, antiseptic, sedative, expectorant, cytophylactic, astringent, vulnerary, tonic, carminative, balancing, uterine, digestive, rejuvenating, cicatrisant, diuretic, healing and analgesic properties.
Uses: Frankincense oil is used in aromatherapy for soothing the mind and body. This oil is also used as a calmative. It is used for adding respiratory conditions like asthma, shortness of breath, bronchitis, cold, cough and laryngitis. Frankincense oil is also used as a skin tonic and helps in assisting skin disorders like wounds, scars, sores and aging. Few other health problems like rheumatism, nightmares, exhaustion, heavy periods, leprosy, vomiting and dysentery are also treated with the natural powers of Frankincense oil.
