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Posted on April 30, 2008 by Eric V. Allen | Posted under Health
Pearls of Frankincense: An Ancient Healing Wonder
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The Frankincense tree upon first glance may seem rather unremarkable. It appears as a giant shrub, with many knurled branches topped with abundant slender leaves and occasionally, small white flowers. A native to northern Africa, it even looks like it belongs in the desert, growing in some of the world's harshest conditions. It is not the tree itself, however, but rather its sap that has such profound lore surrounding it. When the tree's bark is pierced with a 'mingaf' knife, a milky-white resin is exuded and collected; thought the tree is not harmed. The resin forms droplets known as tears or pearls, which harden in to the orange-brown gum known itself as Frankincense. The English name of this natural incense is derived from the medieval French 'franc', meaning 'pure' or 'free', and from the Latin 'incensium', meaning 'to smoke'. For more than 5000 years, the hardened resin has been burned in temples throughout Egypt, China and India; the Catholic church continues to use it today during Mass. It is one of the four main ingredients in Jewish ceremonial incense, forming an important part of the Sabbath day offerings. The smoke of Frankincense, as with other ritual incense, is thought to carry prayers to heaven upon it's smoke. It is also said to deepen the breath and still the mind, making it useful for meditation and yogic practice. Some components of Frankincense stimulate the pineal gland, or 'third-eye', so this concept makes sense under modern scientific investigation. The incense may have health benefits as well, producing a highly antiseptic smoke, keeping churches and churchgoers free from disease. Frankincense resin is thought to have a bounty of health properties - it was an ingredient in a rejuvenating face mask in ancient Egypt (it was also charred and used as the classic heavy eyeliner seen in much ancient Egyptian art), and at one time was "used to treat every conceivable ill to man". In Ayurvedic medicine it is known as 'salaiguggul', used for centuries to treat many conditions, including arthritis. Modern science has isolated the active compounds found to have anti-arthritic properties. Called boswellic acids, these components inhibit the inflammatory process, improve blood supply and prevent further cartilage reduction. Today's naturopathic practitioners continue to use Frankincense, though the essential oil is now commonly employed because of it's simplicity of use. It may be applied topically or taken orally with proper instruction from a qualified practitioner. There are many indications for the use of Frankincense oil, including asthma, depression, stress-related conditions and a weakened immune system. Further, Frankincense oil is now under investigation in university studies for it's anti-tumor effects, particularly for skin and breast malignancies. It is important to note that the CO2 distillation (a cold-process method of pure essential oil extraction employing harmless carbon dioxide instead of steam) is more likely to contain the same healthful compounds as the resin, as the steam distilled variety may not be able to extract these 'polar' compounds. Kurt Schnaubelt, America's leading medical aromatherapist notes, regarding the production of essential oil from the resin, "It could be that the (health-related) substances in question are too polar and too large a molecular size to appear in steam distillates - their presence would be more likely in CO2 extracts." The most noted effect of the essential oil may be on the nervous system. Regarded as an antidepressant, the aroma can both relax and revitalize, and can help in cases of nervous tension and exhaustion. Frankincense oil contains sesquiterpenes, which stimulate the limbic system, the hypothalamus, the pineal and the pituitary glands. The oil is now being researched for its ability to increase human growth hormone production. Further, it is considered to strengthen the immune system, which may in-fact occur as a result of its uplifting properties. The oil is noted in most aromatherapy guides to uplift the spirit, calm the mind, and act as an anti-depressant. Frankincense essential oil can be used in a manner similar to burning of the incense in spiritual practice. Warming in a candle lamp or direct application to the temples and third eye will quiet the mind, deepen the breath, and promote meditative stillness. It is often blended with Sandalwood, Myrrh and Cedarwood for such uses, and the single-pointed concentration it invokes is thought to allow the spirit to soar. For medicinal purposes, some naturopathic practitioners take 1-3 drops of the essential oil orally on a daily basis, in addition to massaging into any diseased area. Of course, as with any illness, it is important to seek out qualified medical advice; if you choose to employ Frankincense oil, discuss this with your physician - it should be acceptable as an adjunct therapy in most cases. For simple incense use in the way that has been used for thousands of years, frankincense resin is widely available at reasonable costs. Most is wild-crafted; thankfully, the resource is abundant, as the trees easily survive harvesting of the pearls. The small chunks of resin can simply be lit by themselves in a dish or similar container, and will burn like any other incense, slowly releasing its aromatic smoke. For aromatic use of the essential oil, a diffuser or warming lamp can be used to disperse the aroma throughout a space. The oil is also found in aromatherapy candles, where it is released from the heated oil beneath the burning wick. Frankincense oil can be applied directly to the forehead where you can both capture the aroma and absorb the oil directly. Frankincense, the treat from the tough desert tree, is now available to us all. Treat yourself to a little of this natural wonder, and see what sort of magic it can bring to your life! About The Author: The author is a consultant for Ananda Aromatherapy, found at http://www.anandaapothecary.com/essential-oils. More resources are available on aromatherapy through the website. |
Tags: ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE, NATURAL, HEALTH, AROMATHERAPY
