It has been used to treat arthritis, heal wounds and strengthen the female hormone system. Offering benefits to the wider community, Indian communities would often burn frankincense to purify the air. More recently, a 2008 study found that frankincense smoke helped to relieve depression and anxiety in mice.
The key active ingredient in frankincense, boswellic acid, meanwhile, “has a structure not dissimilar from some hormones like testosterone.” Boswellic acids have anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects, so that they are finding pharmacological use in both East and West.
The symbolism of frankincense
Used in religious and spiritual rituals for thousands of years, frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. Because it is so fragrant when burnt, it was used by ancient people as a religious offering. In Christian symbolism, frankincense can represent Christ's sacrifice.
Since ancient times, burning of frankincense and myrrh in places of worship for spiritual purposes and contemplation (a ubiquitous practice across various religions) had hygienic functions, to refine the smell and reduce contagion by purifying the indoor air.
Recently, increasing interest in natural dietary and therapeutic preparations used as dietary supplements has been observed. One of them is frankincense. This traditional medicine of the East is believed to have anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiseptic, and even anxiolytic and anti-neurotic effects.
It is commonly used as a fragrance in soaps, lotions, and perfumes. People use frankincense for aging skin, wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use. There is also no good evidence to support using frankincense for COVID-19.
In aromatherapy, frankincense essential oil is used to relieve stress, promote relaxation, and ease congestion. It's calming and spiritual aroma is also a great mood enhancer, and some claim that it can help improve concentration and memory as well.
As much as Peppermint essential oil provides mental clarity, Frankincense too is particularly good for memory and focus, making the combination great in combating the forgetfulness of “pregnancy brain”. This is because Frankincense has powerful anti-inflammatory compounds for the brain.
How Many Times a Day Should I Burn Incense? Incense sticks generally burn for about an hour, but the scent tends to linger in a room for a few hours afterwards. Burning 1-2 incense sticks a day in one space should be plenty, however if you choose to use different scents for different rooms, you may wish to burn more.
The frankincense represents Jesus' deity. In the Old Testament, frankincense was traditionally burned in the temple as an offering to God (Leviticus 2:2). By bringing this gift, the Magi affirmed Jesus was no ordinary man; he is both fully man and fully God.
The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. This dates back to Origen in Contra Celsum: "gold, as to a king; myrrh, as to one who was mortal; and incense, as to a God."
Substances that occur in frankincense have a number of possible health benefits. These include controlling bleeding, speeding up the wound-healing process, improving oral health, fighting inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, and improving uterine health.
Frankincense essential oil is proven to aid restful sleep by decreasing your levels of stress and anxiety. As your anxiety levels decrease, you'll find yourself drifting into a peaceful sleep and awaken feeling rested and refreshed.
Frankincense
Frankincense is a wonderful sleep aid because of its aromatherapeutic benefits, relieving stress and promoting relaxation. Place a few drops of oil into your hands, rub your palms together, and inhale before laying down to sleep.
Frankincense has been said to help lift mood and balance hormones, especially in women. One study which used frankincense alongside other oils known to promote relaxation found that the combination was effective in alleviating depression for terminally ill patients, and may have helped with pain management as well.
Burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression. This suggests that an entirely new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our noses.
According to the EPA, exposure to the particulate matter present in incense smoke has been linked to asthma, lung inflammation and even cancer. In fact, long-term exposure to incense smoke was found to be related to an increased risk for upper respiratory cancers as well as squamous cell lung cancer.
Frankincense aids Lung Qi circulation and is effective in the treatment of asthma, sinusitis and bronchitis, as well as Lung heat issues with coughing and wheezing. It invigorates the blood, and calms the Heart; anxiety, depression. It also reduces swelling and is an strong anti-oxidant.
Beyond those uses, frankincense and myrrh may also have medicinal and psychoactive components. Both of the earthy entities are gum resins, which are viscous secretions from trees.
'Frankincense & Myrrh' Holy anointing prayer oil from Israel. When the wise men came from the east to Bethlehem, they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the newborn King of Jews. With this anointing oil, you can come into the presence of God with those same gifts.
Relieve inflammation in the respiratory system by diffusing Frankincense or inhaling vapors from a bowl of hot water. Place 2 to 3 drops of Frankincense under the tongue 1 to 2x daily to reduce inflammation, nerve issues, and depression.
Used in aromatherapy, Frankincense works as an expectorant to clear the nasal passageway, promote the relief of congestion, and encourage easy breathing. It's sweet, woody aroma is sedative and enhances mood by diminishing feelings of stress and anxiety while improving concentration and memory.
It helps with respiratory ailments and relieves nervous tension and stress related disorders. It is also a popular oil for meditation.