Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh were the three priceless gifts presented to baby Jesus more than 2000 years ago. Of course, all three gifts were deemed to be extraordinarily valuable and special. You may not know that in ancient cultures Frankincense was considered even more valuable than gold!
Our Founder Gary loved Frankincense Essential Oil
In a film from April 2013, our founder D. Gary Young, takes Young Living members to view a Boswellia tree in Oman, the tree from which Frankincense comes.
In the video, Gary explains how often he has visited the tree over the years, and how old it is said to be: in the region of 850 years. As he talks, he shaves a little of the bark off the tree, and almost immediately, the ‘loban’ or resin starts to seep out. And so begins the process of making Frankincense essential oil.
What does Frankincense smell like?
You may know that Frankincense essential oil has a very particular smell: balsamic, earthy, sweet, honey-like and woody. The balsamic aroma comes from the naturally occurring alpha-pinene. It is one of those scents which you fall in love with as it fills your room or soaks into your skin and really lasts for hours. You feel cossetted by its warmth and comfort.
What is Frankincense?
Young Living’s Sacred Frankincense essential oil is derived from the sap of the Boswellia Sacra in Oman, and Young Living’s Frankincense oil comes from the Boswellia Carterii in Somalia—both trees are spindly, ethereal, and wild-looking.
The allure of Frankincense enticed adventurers from afar who sought the irresistible resin, and the Frankincense Trail in Oman’s Dhofar region was purportedly visited by the notable explorers Marco Polo and Lawrence of Arabia.
In her book Frankincense: Oman’s Gift to the World, Juliet Highet compares Frankincense trees from other regions, concluding that ‘no other trees produce the same pure, exalted fragrance’ as those found in Dhofar.
Boswellia sacra truly is a precious gift, worthy of legendary status. Moreover, Young Living is proud of the singular opportunity we have, to be the first commercial Frankincense distiller in Oman in hundreds of years.
From Roots to Riches
The Boswellia tree can grow with little to no soil, blooms with white or pale rose-coloured flowers, and has bark that feels like the pages of a book. These trees adapt to thrive on steep slopes and ravines where they produce enough gum-resin for harvesting.
Like all good things, the creation of gum-resin takes time. Once the bark has been gently cut back to let the sap exude and harden (a two- to three-month process), the sap is harvested and ready for steam distillation.
Good to Know
Today we treasure the essential oil that is produced from the resin, but in ancient times, the resin was given as a gift and burned to fill the air with the aroma‘franc encens’, meaning ‘high-quality incense’.
In the Middle East, it is still considered a holy oil, and has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. In fact, Frankincense is mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus—an Egyptian document dating from approximately 1500 BC.
What Essential Oil goes with Frankincense Essential Oil?
Combine with Bergamot and Ylang Ylang for a distinctive, sweet, grounding smell.
If you want to tone down the sweetness, swap Sacred Frankincense for Frankincense.
For three great combinations, blend Frankincense with Cedarwood, Lavender or Sacred Sandalwood.
A Gift for all
Because of the skin-supporting, peace-promoting, meditation-motivating gifts this oil brings, it’s a joy to everyone.
What is Frankincense oil used for?
A little Frankincense goes a long way, never fear.
Here are our top tips for its use:
- Use in our Dewdrop Diffuser for perfect room aromas
- You can use Frankincense oil on your face in this way: mix it into the ART® range of Young Living skin care products for a luxurious pampering session. Just use a drop or two in a small amount of ART® Light Moisturiser
- Add to Young Living V-6® Enhanced Vegetable Oil Complex for a rich and relaxing massage.
- Diffuse for a yoga session to maximise the impact of ‘time on the mat’.
It works well with these Young Living essential oil blends: Acceptance; 3 Wise Men; The Gift.
Lastly, did you know, all these Young Living products include Frankincense?
However many sleeps there are now before Christmas, it’s always the right time to indulge in Frankincense.
Write your comments below or contact us at mseublog@youngliving.com
No comments