Frankincense,fraunk-encens,the Oleo-gum-resin and the magical sun luck carrier.Frankincense Olibanum Extract.
Article Content:
- .Botanical Info and Identification:Frankincense.
- .Botanical Description:Frankincense.
- .Botanical Source and History:.
- .Chemical Composition:Frankincense.
- .Frankincense and Boswellia Family.
- .Frankincense Medicinal Action and Uses:
- .Suggestions and Administrations of Frankincense:
- .General recipes:Frankincense.
- .The Botany and Ancient History:Frankincense.
- .Research Update:Boswellia and Frankincense.
Frankincense Medicinal Action and Uses.
Properties: Punent,Bitter,Warm,Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, sedative, tonic, uterine, vulnerary.
Oral Uses: Orally, frankincense is used for colic and flatulence.
Topical Uses: Topically, frankincense is used in hand cream. The essential oil of frankincense is used topically and by inhalation as an analgesic.
Possible Uses: Anxiety, asthma, bronchitis, extreme coughing, scars, stress, stretch marks. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 59-67.]
Medical uses: It increases the production of white blood cells, thus aiding in healing. The oil is said to help prevent wrinkles, otherwise it is also antiseptic.
Olibanum is a stimulant, producing results similar to those from the tolu and Peru balsams; it is principally used as a fumigating article, and occasionally forms an ingredient of plasters.
It is stimulant, but seldom used now internally, though formerly was in great repute . Pliny mentions it as an antidote to hemlock. Avicenna (tenth century) recommends it for tumours, ulcers, vomiting, dysentery and fevers. In China it is used for leprosy.
Its principal use now is in the manufacture of incense and pastilles. It is also used in plasters and might be substituted for Balsam of Peru or Balsam or Tolu. The inhalation of steam laden with the volatile portion of the drug is said to relieve bronchitis and laryngitis.
The ceremonial incense of the Jews was compounded of four 'sweet scents,' of which pure Frankincense was one, pounded together in equal proportion. It is frequently mentioned in the Pentateuch. Pure Frankincense formed part of the meet offering and was also presented with the shew-bread every Sabbath day. With other spices, it was stored in a great chamber of the House of God at Jerusalem.
According to Herodotus, Frankincense to the amount of 1,000 talents weight was offered every year, during the feast of Bel, on the great altar of his temple in Babylon. The religious use of incense was as common in ancient Persia as in Babylon and Assyria. Herodotus states that the Arabs brought every year to Darius as tribute 1,000 talents of Frankincense, and the modern Parsis of Western India still preserve the ritual of incense.
Frankincense, though the most common, never became the only kind of incense offered to the gods among the Greeks. According to Pliny, it was not sacrificially employed in Trojan times. Among the Romans, the use of Frankincense (alluded to as mascula thura by Virgil in the Eclogues) was not confined to religious ceremonials. It was also used on state occasions, and in domestic life.
The kohl, or black powder with which the Egyptian women paint their eyelids, is made of charred Frankincense, or other odoriferous resin mixed with Frankincense. Frankincense is also melted to make a depilatory, and it is made into a paste with other ingredients to perfume the hands. A similar practice is described by Herodotus as having been practiced by the women of Scythia and is alluded to in Judith x. 3 and 4. In cold weather, the Egyptians warm their rooms with a brazier whereon incense is burnt, Frankincense, Benzoin and Aloe wood being chiefly used for the purpose.
The word 'incense,' meaning originally the aroma given off with the smoke of any odoriferous substance when burnt, has been gradually restricted almost exclusively to Frankincense, which has always been obtainable in Europe in greater quantity than any other of the aromatics imported from the East.
There is no fixed formula for the incense now used in the Christian churches of Europe, but it is recommended that Frankincense should enter as largely as possible in to its composition. In Rome, Olibanum alone is employed: in the Russian church, Benzoin is chiefly employed.
The following is a formula for an incense used in the Roman Church: Olibanum, 10 oz. Benzoin, 4 oz. Storax, 1 oz. Break into small pieces and mix.
Meridian: Heart,Liver,Spleen.
invigorate blood, dispel blood stasis, alleviate pain
relax sinews, promotes movement of Qi, Bi-syndrome
reduce swellings, generates flesh (yin carbuncles)
Traditional Use:
Cited in several scripts, most notably as one of the gifts bestowed upon Baby Jesus by the three wise men. It has since been the incense of choice for ceremonial burning within Catholic worship. Frankincense was popularly used in ancient Egypt as an embalming medium and quite often traces of Frankincense were found within the tombs of influential townspeople. It was a revered resin by the Egyptians and was also found within their cosmetics and perfumes. Used medicinally in Middle Eastern countries and several Asian countries.
Potential uses and benefits:
As an incense and fragrance for ceremony and celebration its spiritually healing properties are released. Recommended for meditation, prayer and increasing perception and consciousness. Often used in breast massage oils it can also assist with mood swings and emotional lows. A wonderful addition to facial oils and body care; its antiseptic properties help reduce mild skin problems and, it is excellent for mature skin and acne damage. A calming and beneficial ingredient in massage oils, baths and diffusers. Age old perfume ingredient as a fixative and primary scent. A great aid in spiritual and emotional healing.
Blends Well With: Terrific with most of the floral, woody, spicy and citrus oils.
Notes: The word "frankincense" has roots in 10th century French text meaning 'luxuriant incense'.
Safety Data: Low possibility of skin irritation.
Reference:
1.Frankincense,fraunk-encens,the Oleo-gum-resin and the magical sun luck carrier.Frankincense Olibanum Extract.
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