Burning Frankincense, the resin from the Boswellia tree, has been a part of religious and cultural ceremonies for a millennium. It is believed to be an aroma that will help your soul reach spiritual exaltation.
Recently a team of researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem did a study to see what the effects were of this age-old practice. They studied Frankincense to determine why it has psychoactive effects. Researchers administered a primary Boswellia resin, incensole, and acetate to mice. They found that the ‘incensole acetate’ influences the areas of the brain that regulate emotions.
The incense activated the protein TRPV3, common in all mammal brains. This protein plays a role in our skins perception of warmth. The effect on the mind, however, has a strong anti-depressant and anxiolytic effect which can leave you feeling open and relaxed. Frankincense helps your mind to rest and simply perceive the world around it. Going to a ceremony with Frankincense would generally help people feel calmer and happier. This could help participants induce a sense of calm observation and reflect on life. It may not be a coincidence many religions and spiritual practices have you burn Frankincense.
In ancient times Boswellia resin was considered a precious commodity that came in from the sub-Saharan regions on caravans. It is still a major export in modern days.
“In spite of information stemming from ancient texts, constituents of Bosweilla had not been investigated for psychoactivity,” said co-author of the study Raphael Mechoulam. “We found that incensole acetate in mice lowers anxiety and causes anti-depressive behavior. Apparently, most present day worshipers assume that incense burning has only a symbolic meaning.”
Today frankincense is recognized for its spiritual role and a form of treatment for depression and anxiety. According to the National Institutes of Health, major depression is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. for people between the ages of 15-44. Anxiety and depression affect almost 60 million people in the United States. Depression and anxiety are linked and often overlap. It is a battle to return to a balanced state of mental peace. Natural remedies such as frankincense and tools like yoga, meditation, and proper nutrition help us return to a balanced state of health. Our sense of smell is strongly linked to the limbic system in the brain where we regulate motivation and emotion.
Frankincense possesses analgesic, anti-arthritic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, and tonic properties. Frankincense is also used as a remedy for nausea, chest coughs, fever, and hypertension and is a great way to keep insects like mosquitoes away!
Frankincense water has been a traditional drink in the Middle East for Centuries. People soak 4 or 5 pieces of this resin in water overnight and drink the water.
Frankincense is a fragrant plant resin that comes from the Boswellia sacra tree found in Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula, including Yemen and Oman. Frankincense possesses analgesic, anti-arthritic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, and tonic properties.
Scientists have found that there is an agent within frankincense that helps stop the spreading of cancer. It induces cancerous cells to close themselves down. According to the latest studies: “Cancer starts when the DNA code within the cell’s nucleus becomes corrupted. It seems frankincense has a re-set function. It can tell the cell what the right DNA code should be. Frankincense separates the ‘brain’ of the cancerous cell – the nucleus – from the ‘body’ – the cytoplasm, and closes down the nucleus to stop it reproducing corrupted DNA codes.”
Benefits of Frankincense Water:
Prevents digestive problems
Strengthens immune system
Works As A Natural Diuretic
Strengthens, tones, and lifts the skin, muscles, and internal organs
Promotes skin and tissue regeneration
Helps the body to get rid of toxins
Helps with stress relief and inflammation
Anti-carcinogenic
Eases Fever And Headaches
Penetrates the blood-brain barrier
Helps with bronchitis
Helps relieve sore throats
Frankincense Water:
Frankincense tears
Clean purified water
A quart glass jar
Place the Frankincense Resin in the jar. Boil water and pour over resin to fill the jar. Cover and let sit overnight. Drink a few ounces throughout the day. If it’s your first time drinking Frankincense water, introduce it to your body slowly.
Frankincense Essential Oil
One of the oldest known medical records from the sixteenth century B.C., the Ebers Papyrus, mentions frankincense oil. The ancient Egyptians listed the oil on hundreds of prescriptions and recipes.
Frankincense oil is one of the most highly prized essential oils in the world and one of the best oils you can use for your health. The astringent property of frankincense oil can help strengthen gums, stop the bleeding from wounds and cuts, help with skin health, reverse signs of aging, and reduce the appearance of stretch marks and scars. Frankincense oil can break up phlegm deposits in your respiratory tract and lungs, and can relieve bronchitis-related congestion. It can suppress the production of key inflammatory cells, helping to prevent the breakdown of cartilage tissue in patients with arthritis.
Quality frankincense oil is hard to find. Make sure you are getting the real pure organic oil.