Healing with Frankincense
Frankincense has long been considered the “King of Oils” and has been used ceremonially across cultures. Ancient Egyptians used frankincense oils for their rituals and rites, it forms part of the Jewish sacred incense, and was one of the gifts offered to baby Jesus by the wise men. It has also been a major remedy in Eastern cultures being employed for its incredible health benefits when taken internally or applied topically. Clinical studies also support traditional wisdom and research suggests that frankincense can treat many conditions from oral to gut health. All of this is to say that frankincense is a potent healer that continues to support us in the modern day — here’s a few ways to lean on this medicinal and a little bit mystical oil.
Frankincense for Immunity Support
Frankincense is an immune stimulant, or “a naturally occurring compound that modulates the immune system by increasing the host's resistance to disease.” Essentially, this oil allows the body to help itself by kickstarting its natural processes.
Frankincense for Pain Relief
Recent studies have demonstrated that frankincense has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve pain — especially for those challenged by arthritis and joint pain. Researchers theorize that frankincense works by preventing the release of leukotrienes that cause inflammation in the body. Its other pain-relieving compounds are terpenes and boswellic acid that are showing a promising ability to reduce cartilage loss.
Frankincense for Women’s Health
It is said that frankincense can also regulate a woman’s oestrogen production, an important process that helps our bodies at a physical and emotional level; and may ease PMS symptoms and boost fertility.
Frankincense for Less Stress and More Sleep
Many cultures have used frankincense aromatically and as a bathing aid to reduce stress and support sleep. Early studies also show that frankincense’s properties of limonene and α-pinene may “counter the effects of stress by effectively relieving sleep debt and maintaining antioxidant capacity.”
Frankincense for Skin Tone and Elasticity
Another potential benefit of frankincense’s high levels of a-pinene is its ability to improve the structure of the skin. Its ability to oxygenate the skin is also said to improve skin elasticity.
Looking to Add Frankincense to Your Healing Ritual?
Try This “King of Oils” Bathing Practice
As frankincense has both internal, topical, and aromatic benefits, bathing is a practice that gives frankincense an opportunity to heal on all three of these levels.
Step One
Set up your space. As with any healing ritual, creating an intentional space can elevate the experience and creates a dedicated container to focus on yourself. Make sure your bath is free of clutter. Add in soft lighting such as salt lamps, beeswax or coconut candles, or total darkness if you’re really looking to turn inwards. Run your bath at body temperature or slightly above (98 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit).
Step Two
Choose your soak remedy. You may want to just focus this bath on a single frankincense essential oil — however, frankincense also plays well with others and you may want to create your own or choose a custom blend. Our Inheal™ probiotic saffron milk bath combines frankincense with natural probiotics to balance your hormones, plus promotes temperature regulation, replenishes microbiome of your skin, and supports your vaginal flora. You’ll also find frankincense in our Exheal™ soothing saffron salt bath formulation that focuses on digestion, detoxification, and skin exfoliation.
Step Three
Enter into your bath and take a few deep breaths. You may choose this time to meditate. Personally, we also find this is a great time to take a phone, email, and social media break. Although we do keep a journal nearby because water truly heals and often we find ourselves gifted insights and ideas during our weekly bathing session.
