Isn’t that a wonderful testimony? I hear so many similar stories from moms suffering from various ailments and fatigue – women who were so used to living the life of the typical American, relying on nutritionally empty foods and instantly turning to pharmaceutical drugs for relief. Like many of us, more and more women are just now realizing that perhaps “natural” is sometimes “better.”

Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine. (Ezekiel 47:12

God created the earth and all that is in it. It was not formed by a random and mindless process. It was created for us, His ultimate creation, a race made in His image. In His creation, God has revealed Himself to us. The earth is filled with His glory! He is our Creator, Lord and Provider. He has provided a beautiful planet filled with all that we need to thrive: air, water, food . . . and medicine. Just as He made some plants for food, it is self-evident that He created powerful medicinal plants for healing.

I find it interesting that along with precious gold, the gifts brought to Christ at His birth were Frankincense and Myrrh. Clearly, these three items were great and valuable gifts fit for a King.

The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Israelites and numerous other cultures have used frankincense and myrrh for centuries. Frankincense has traditionally been used medicinally for ages as a remedy for a wide variety of afflictions and ailments, including ulcers, nausea, and fever. The smoke from burning frankincense also acts as an insect repellent, averting most disease-inflicted mosquitoes and reducing the chance of malaria in vulnerable regions. I think I may try this on our deck next summer!

In addition, Frankincense was extensively used in burial rituals as an embalming material, a way to honor the departed, and a means to cover odors and prevent further decomposition.

Many people are familiar with Frankincense only from its mention in Scripture (22 times!):

Frankincense was imported into Judah by camel caravan from Sheba (Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20), a trade connection that originated with the queen of Sheba’s visit to Jerusalem in the reign of Solomon (1 Kings 10:10; 2 Chron. 9:9).

Frankincense could be used for secular purposes as a perfume (Song of Sol. 3:6; 4:6, 14), but it appears most frequently in the Bible in a religious context. Exod. 30:34-38 contains the recipe for a frankincense-based incense dedicated for ritual use. No other incense was permitted on the altar (Exod. 30:9) and secular use of the sacred recipe was absolutely forbidden (Exod. 30:38).

Offerings of frankincense were made at the Temple (Isa. 43:23; 66:3; Jer. 17:26; 41:5) where it was stored for later use (Neh. 13:5, 9; 1 Chron. 9:29). Frankincense was set beside the Bread of the Presence (Lev. 24:7) and accompanied cereal offerings (Lev. 2:1-2, 14-16; 6:14-18).

It was prohibited with a sin offering (Lev. 5:11) or a cereal offering of jealousy (Num. 5:15). Frankincense was among the gifts offered to the infant Jesus by the Wise Men (Matt. 2:11). Rev. 18:13 lists frankincense as part of the cargo of the merchants who weep for the fallen city. See also Sheba, Queen of; Worship.

Achtemeier, P. J., Harper & Row, P., & Society of Biblical Literature. (1985). Harper’s Bible dictionary (1st ed.) (322). San Francisco: Harper & Row.

I have often wondered why so many ancient treasures, precious oils that used to be so highly valued, are no longer used or appreciated to the same extent in our modern day. I’ve come to the conclusion that 1.) Natural substances like essential oils can’t be patented and 2.) It is cheaper to produce synthetic chemical air fresheners, body products, perfumes, and medicines. In the process, the general public has been convinced that these products are somehow “better.”

The Encyclopedia Britannica points out that Frankincense “was used as both an internal and an external remedy, but, according to modern Western medical theory, it has no special value.”

This is an amazing claim when you think about its historical uses and the number of studies that demonstrate Frankincense’s ability to treat a variety of illnesses. However, it’s not too surprising when we consider the current attitude toward natural products.

One Young Living representative put it this way:

The current social/scientific paradigm (John Anthony West calls it the ‘Church of Progress’) believes ancient man to have been governed solely by ignorance and superstition and that modern man is the pinnacle of intellectual and scientific achievement (this despite the fact that we still have no idea how the Ancients were able to construct many of their giant monuments, aka the Great Pyramid). Not surprising because modern medicine is still governed by the belief that medicine created in the laboratory, costing millions of dollars and many man-hours is far superior to that created by mother nature and utilised by humans for thousands of years.

We are expected to believe that ancient cultures utilized something (such as Frankincense) which didn’t work, for thousands of years. Fortunately, not all scientists are as ignorant as this.

Maybe it’s arrogance – the attitude that modern man is brilliant and men who lived before us were “Neanderthals.” Hmmm…now that I think about it, maybe evolutionary thinking has affected us more than we realize. God certainly has blessed us in varying ways throughout the centuries. Anyone build a pyramid lately? I’ve read about the amazing water systems that supplied the baths and households of Ancient Rome.

As amazing as they are, the bland high rises of today can’t be compared to the architecture and breathtaking art that adorns the famous cathedrals of Europe. Man is not “evolving.” We’re no more intelligent than men from the past. If we can learn from them, and pay attention to what “worked” for centuries, we can take the blessings of knowledge that have come in our time, and go even further.

CLICK HERE to read about the latest Frankincense research – it is fascinating!

More Recent Studies

• A team of scientists from the University of Oklahoma, along with immunologist Dr Mahmoud Suhail claim to have discovered that Frankincense is able to stop cancer cells from reproducing and to correct a cell’s DNA code. CLICK HERE to read about their studies in this fascinating BBC article.
• Studies at Cairo’s King Faisal University show Frankincense to exhibit a strong immuno-stimulant capability.*
• Studies at Weber State University in the U.S. claim that Frankincense is effective in dissolving petrochemicals in the blood and preventing DNA breakdown.*
• A joint study by 3 Indian universities found that patients with osteoarthritis experienced reduced pain and stiffness and less difficulty in performing daily activities.*

* “Frankincense Futures” By Juliet Highet, The Middle East, November 2007, Issue 383, p55-56

Adulterated Oils…

Pure frankincense is often extended with colorless, odorless, solvents such as diethylphthalate or dipropylene glycol…unfortunately, a large percentage of essential oils marketed in the United States fall in this adulterated category. When you understand the world of synthetic oils as well as low-grade oils cut with synthetic chemicals, you realize why unsuspecting people with their untrained noses don’t know the difference… – Essential Oils Desk Reference

CLICK HERE to find out why it is so important to use “Therapeutic Grade” essential oils and what that means.

Ways to Use Frankincense

There are many reported benefits of frankincense that are not currently backed up by medical research. Some of these reported uses include:

• Some have reported success treating ganglion cysts by applying a few drops topically twice daily.
• Treating warts
• Frankincense is believed to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Because of this, some use it for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and osteoarthritis. Use of frankincense for these conditions should be carried out under the care of a physician.
• Used as aromatherapy, frankincense oil has been shown to relieve a number of conditions related to emotional stress such as anxiety, disappointment, emotional fatigue, and hysteria. To use for aromatherapy, diffuse into the air, place a few drops on a tissue and inhale, or place a few drops in Epsom salt and add to the bath. Can also be used in massage by diluting with a carrier oil (V6 oil or almond oil are good choices).
• Further popular aromatherapy uses of frankincense oil include treatment of congestive conditions such as bronchitis and sinusitis.
• Frankincense can be applied topically (a few drops in a teaspoon of carrier oil) for treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne scarring, healing of cuts, and blemishes.
• A few drops of frankincense oil in daily skin treatment creams are said to minimize wrinkles and restore elasticity to the skin.
• Relieve menstrual cramps by adding eight to ten drops of frankincense essential oil to a handful of Epsom salt and add to your bathwater. Then settle in for a long, soothing soak.
• A few drops of frankincense oil sprinkled on a handkerchief and inhaled regularly can relieve the nasal congestion associated with common colds and allergies.
• To improve circulation, add four to five drops of frankincense oil to a carrier oil and massage on the affected areas twice daily.
• For wounds, apply two to three drops of frankincense oil to a cold compress and apply directly to the area twice daily.

CAUTION:

NEVER take lower quality essential oils internally. From my research, the only essential oils that I trust enough in quality to be taken internally, are Young Living therapeutic grade essential oils, and only if it is labeled as a “supplement.” If your essential oil is from an edible plant such as lavender, lemon, orange, grapefruit, oregano, thyme, frankincense, ylang ylang, etc., and it states that the essential oil is “Not for Internal Use” then you can be certain that the essential oil is NOT superior quality. Only 2% of all essential oils in the world are considered therapeutic grade. CLICK HERE to find out what that means.

Frankincense and Sacred Frankincense are both excellent choices.

Sacred Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) -  This new variety of frankincense is a complement to Boswellia carteri—Young Living’s traditional frankincense—and is regarded as the world’s rarest, most sought-after aromatic in existence. Read more HERE.  

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) has a sweet, warm, balsamic aroma that is stimulating and elevating to the mind. Useful for visualizing, improving one’s spiritual connection, and centering, it has comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcome stress and despair. Frankincense is considered the holy anointing oil in the Middle East, where it has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. More recently, it has been used in European and American hospitals and is the subject of substantial research. Frankincense is also a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin. The ancient Egyptians used it in rejuvenation face masks.

Click HERE for the research

Click HERE for more information

Whsl. $69.75

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Note to Young Living Distributors:

November Special: Receive a FREE 15-ml Frankincense! Place a single order of 225 PV or more from November 1–30 and receive a 15-ml bottle of frankincense essential oil absolutely free—
a $91.78 retail value!

The information provided on The Common Scents Mom is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.

* If you are using a blood thinning medication such as Plavix or Coumadin, you should not use frankincense.

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