A while back, I started a series dedicated to essential oils. They are a wonder from nature and possess potent healing abilities. Today I want to introduce you to the king of oils, Frankincense.
Frankincense comes from the resin of trees of the genus Boswellia. It has been used for thousands of years for spiritual purposes (you may be familiar with its history as one of the first gifts given to baby Jesus by the wise men). It also has a lengthy history as a traditional medicinal and beauty aid.
How to use this oil in your daily life or as a remedy? First and foremost, check out this post about carrier oils so you don’t burn yourself if applying the oil topically. All good and read? Amazing, let’s dive into it!
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is the root of most diseases. Frankincense oil contains boswellic acids, which is proven to reduce the inflammation associated with inflammatory diseases like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. When used topically, frankincense has even been shown to improve common inflammatory skin issues such acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Improves Oral Hygiene
Stinky breath please stay away! It’s not only a turn off, but also an indicator that something is fuzzy with your gut health (more on that another time). Frankincense oil is a perfect addition to your daily routine because of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. A study published in 2011 looked at Frankincense’s ability to improve plaque-induced gingivitis, and the findings were impressive. After frankincense treatment, participants showed significant reduction in key measures of oral hygiene status including gingival index and the plaque index. Frankincense is also useful for getting rid of bad breath.
Relieves Joint + Muscle Pain
Again due to its natural anti-inflammatory agent, frankincense oil is a great holistic option for fighting muscle aches and joint pain. For sore muscles or joints, simply combine several drops of frankincense oil with a carrier oil to massage into the problem area.
Frankincense is even recommended to be taken internally to help prevent cartilage loss and inhibit the autoimmune process for patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or bursitis symptoms. So basically its good for your bones and other building materials for your body.
A Natural Household Cleaner + Air Purifier
As a natural antiseptic, frankincense oil can help to kill germs that are lurking on the many surfaces in your home. Using it in an essential oil diffuser can also help to cleanse the air, especially if you or someone you live with has recently been sick. Not only will it disinfect areas of your home or office, but frankincense acts as a natural deodorizer with its sweet, yet refreshing, scent.
Relieves Stress + Anxiety
Frankincense is known to have anxiolytic properties, which is a fancy way of saying it can help reduce anxiety. Simply diffuse frankincense oil into the air and let the stress of the day melt away.
Acts as an Anti-Ager
Frankincense oil is considered sacred in the spiritual realm, and it’s also pretty divine when it comes to its effects on skin health. It’s not uncommon to see frankincense essential oil on a list of natural ways to combat the signs of aging, and the oil can be diluted and applied anywhere you have fine lines or saggy skin.
Reduces Scars + Stretch Marks
When used topically, frankincense oil can aid wound healing and may decrease the appearance of scars. It may also help decrease the appearance of stubborn stretch marks. To reap these benefits, simply mix two to three drops of frankincense with equal parts of a base oil (such as almond, jojoba or coconut) or a lotion, and apply the mixture directly to the skin.
Helps Fight Cancer
In a 2011 scientific study, frankincense oil was shown to induce cancer cell death in human breast cancer cell lines, similar to previous research conducted with human bladder cancer cells.
As frankincense is known to have blood-thinning effects, please consult with your health care provider if you have any problems related to blood clotting before using this oil.
A word of thought; as with many other natural resources and species, the bostwalia tree is in destress due to over harvesting. Make sure to buy a good organic oil, the higher the quality the less of an amount you need to use. It becomes more sustainable in the long run. #weareallone