Frankincense - A Unique Herbal Resin

The name of Frankincense is known to millions because of its biblical connotations. As a herbal supplement its properties are also great, when it is often called by its Latin name, Boswellia.

The Frankincense tree is resinous and evergreen, which has constantly peeling papery bark. It produces feathery leaves, and small whitish flowers appear in spring. It mainly grows in Arabia and the Africa.

Since farther back than anyone can remember Frankincense has been used for medicinal and religious purposes. Early Egyptians used Frankincense as part of their embalming process, the Greeks used it as an antidote to hemlock poisoning, and the Chinese used it for trading as well as for internal and external purposes. Today, Frankincense is used mostly for aromatherapy. It is identified as being helpful for inflammation, when an antiseptic is required and as a diuretic. Some medical research has been done showing a relationship between the possibility of Frankincense and the treatment of osteoarthritis and it may have some anti-cancer properties.

Frankincense has also been shown to help with anxiety, disappointment, hysteria, emotional fatigue, nervousness, congestion, anti inflammatory, immune deficiency, insomnia, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, aphrodisiac, emollient, indigestion, carminative, antiseptic, expectorant, sedative, tonic, and anti tumor. It is used for bronchial and urinary infections, and to counteract menstrual pain. It is also used as a mouthwash by the Chinese, and for gum, mouth and throat disorders.

Frankincense has been around since ancient times and is even mentioned in the Bible. The Jews offered up Frankincense in ceremonies. It seems that different regions use Frankincense for different reasons; the Chinese use Frankincense to treat leprosy, Egyptians used Frankincense to pain women's eyelids, hair remover, and perfume. The main contribution of Frankincense is for respiratory distress and although it was once taken internally but no longer is but now is rather used as more of incense and when it is infused with vapors it can help laryngitis.

To get Frankincense, they trunk of the tree is split and the resin is allowed to run out and harden. Following this, it is harvested. Frankincense is commonly used in the practice of Wicca which is a religion that practices witchcraft. They use Frankincense for perfumes and believe that it corresponds well with certain days of the week. What Wicca's call a solar spell is affiliated with Frankincense, and these spells will involve Frankincense oil or resin.

These spells would be used for such purposes as physical energy, protection, success, and putting an end to specific legal issues. When you refer to Frankincense in the form of essential oils it is very expensive and is usually diluted with other oils or jojoba oil. These combinations are also used by the Wicca's when casting spells. Some people prefer to substitute Rosemary for Frankincense.

Frankincense is also used to increase menstrual flow, to treat syphilis, for healing scar tissue and stretch marks, and for treating breast cysts. For skin problems, it is used to treat acne, boils, and skin infections. Frankincense is not known to be used in any food preparation as it's flavour would be so strong, it would overwhelm any dish it was involved in.