Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is an essential oil
distilled from the oleo resin of various Boswellia
trees. Boswellia is a deciduous tree that grows in Ethiopia, Nigeria,
Cameroon, Central Africa, Sudan, Uganda, and Eritrea. The more common species are: B.
sacra (Oman, Yemen, and southern Saudi Arabia), B. carteri (Somalia), B.
frereana (Somalia), B. papyifera
(western Ethiopia), B. serrata
(western India). Somalia and Ethiopia
produce the majority of frankincense.
The Boswellia trees are not cultivated, the resin is
collected from the wild plants.
Incisions are made in the bark which causes a milky-white substance to
exude. This then hardens into a resin
and it is this resin that is steam or hydro distilled.
The name “olibanum”
is thought to be derived from the Latin, olium
libanum, meaning oil from Lebanon. And
“Frankincense” is derived from the French Franc,
meaning free or pure and the Latin incensum,
meaning to smoke.
Frankincense has played an important role in the religious
lives of ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Persians, Hebrews, and Romans. The Catholic Church burning frankincense in
services for hundreds of years served a dual purpose: frankincense deepens breathing and clears the
mind for contemplation and prayer while also purifying and cleansing the
air. In the United Arab Emirates,
frankincense is used to cleanse homes and mosques on a weekly basis. This is believed to dispel evil spirits.
Avicenna recommended frankincense for many ailments,
including tumors. Modern research is now
studying frankincense for the same purpose.
It has been shown that frankincense changes the DNA of the cancerous
cells to revert them to their normal state, reducing tumors.
Frankincense also works with the immune system to repair
skin damage and encourage new cell growth.
It is regenerative and is effective for mature skin, scars, and damaged
skin.
Because of its expectorant action, frankincense has also
been used traditionally for respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, and
coughs. It is especially helpful for
asthma associated with nervousness due to its ability to slow breathing.
For the same reason
that frankincense calms the mind for prayer and meditation, it soothes, relaxes
and prepares the mind for sleep. It slows racing thoughts and induces deep
sleep.
