Frankincense Essential Oil

Stress Relieving, Spiritual and Purifying.

I use it in aromatherapy massage when people are feeling stressed or anxious. This essential oil helps you to breathe more slowly and deeply, so is terrific for calming and soothing the body and mind. It also has a rejuvenating, balancing and healing effect on the skin.

It is also one of the most useful oils for respiratory infections when used in inhalations, aromatherapy massage and baths.

Frankincense is useful in skincare particularly for older skin. It helps tone slack skin and is great for reducing wrinkles!

Common Name:
Frankincense (sometimes known as Olibanum)

Botanical Name:
Boswellia carteri

Source:
Middle East, China, North Africa

Common Method Of Extraction:
Steam distillation of the resin. This is obtained by making incisions in the tree trunk which exudes a milky juice. This slowly hardens on contact with the air into a resin.

Aroma:
Balsamic, spicy, woody and camphorous.

Note:
Base to middle.

Blends Well With:
Citrus oils, basil, lavender, black pepper, bergamot, geranium, sandalwood.

Properties:
Astringent, sedative, tonic, expectorant, antiseptic, digestive, vulnerary, diuretic.

See the glossary for definitions!

Mind, Spirit and Body:

• Frankincense essential oil has an uplifting and soothing effect on the mind.
• It is a powerful oil for fighting respiratory infections. It can calm coughs, help reduce bronchial catarrah and can be helpful for people with asthma - especially with aromatherapy massage.
• It is a tonic for the uterus and can help reduce heavy menstrual periods - use in baths and gently massage a few drops in a carrier oil over the abdomen.
• Frankincense has a warming, calming effect emotionally so supports meditation and is helpful for asthmatics whose attacks are triggered by anxiety.
• It is good for the digestion and for dyspepsia.
• Helps with insomnia.
• Its astringent properties help reduce wrinkles.

Very good for older skins

Precautions:

• None known.

• One of its traditional uses was for driving away evil spirits.
• It is thought to help break links with the past, so may be valuable to people who have unhealthy ties to the past.