Frankincense essential oil stimulates the immune system and has a relieving effect on respiratory infections as well as asthma. It is cicatrising and regenerating for the skin, making frankincense effective in treating scars and preventing wrinkles, a great oil for aging skin as well as acneic skin.
– Frankincense can work as an anti-depressant and gives the spirit a lift.
– It is rejuvenating and stimulates the growth of skin cells.
– Has a toning effect on the skin and body.
– As an anti-inflammatory it helps to heal wounds, sores and carbuncles and as a cicatrisant, reduces scars.
- antiseptic
- astringent
- cytophylactic
- diuretic
- tonic
There are many different varieties of the Frankincense tree growing from Northern Africa through the Middle East all the way to India.
The frereana variety is only used for its scent, in perfumery. The most commonly available variety, used for its therapeutic properties is boswellia carterii. The boswellia sacra (or serrata) is of the highest quality. It is very sacred and said to have a higher vibrational frequency than the others. This variety is more expensive and harder to get a hold of.
Another difference in quality of frankincense essential oil is determined by the amount of time the resin spends on the bark of the tree before it gets harvested. Twice a year, little scratches are made in the bark of the frankincense trees. As soon as the resin reaches the outer bark, it starts to crystallize and harden. A week later, with special tools the resin crystals can be harvested. Out in the open, the oxidation process causes the resin to slowly degrade and from that moment on, the sooner the frankincense resin is harvested, the higher the quality of the resin crystal will be.
Scientific name: boswellia carterii, boswellia frereana and boswellia sacra or boswellia serrata.