Essential Oil of the Week: Frankincense

When I started this blog about graceful aging, some of my goals were to learn about and share information, ideas and products that I thought would interest and help women in the perimenopausal and menopausal age group (including me) with issues that we commonly experience. One topic I have been researching and learning a lot about is the essential oils. Essential oils have been used in healing, health and beauty for thousands of years, but I never knew the extent of their benefits until I started with this research. One essential oil that I feel like people are at least slightly familiar with is Frankincense. Frankincense has a long association with Christianity and other religions. Frankincense was the first gift given to the baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men and has been around even before then. Egyptian women used it to make their heavy, dark eyeliner (it was also used in their embalming process), and has been an integral component in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

Frankincense is extracted from the inner bark of the Boswellia tree, which grows in Africa and parts of the Middle East. Sap is extracted, then allowed to harden into a resin. It can be burned as incense or steam distilled into a rich, fragrant, therapeutic essential oil. The name Frankincense comes from the Old French words franc encens which means quality incense. It is also known as Olibanum. It is highly prized for its many health and beauty benefits, and it is considered one of the most beneficial essential oils on the market. Its fragrance is described as rich, woodsy, spicy and citrusy.

Frankincense is considered to be an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, analgesic, antioxidant and even possibly anti-cancer. So obviously there are many uses for it that would apply to conditions often experienced in perimenopausal and menopausal women. Some of these include:

Help with arthritis and knee pain.

Frankincense essential oil is an anti-inflammatory that can reduce pain and stiffness in joints and muscles. Some studies have found that Frankincense is more effective than aspirin to reduce joint and muscle pain. Mix with a carrier oil such as Jojoba Oil and massage into affected areas or put a few drops into a warm bath before bed.

Help with Stress and Anxiety.

One of Frankincense’s most recognized uses is its ability to soothe stress, anxiety and feelings of depression. Most of us in the perimenopausal and menopausal age group know that your mood and sleep patterns can definitely be disrupted in a major way. Studies have linked Frankincense to better sleep, improved symptoms of anxiety and a grounding effect that helps calm the mind and reduce tension. Use in a diffuser, put a few drops in a warm bath or put in an inhaler.

Help with Many Skin Issues:

Frankincense essential oil can help with many different skin issues. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it good for acne and eczema. It can decrease the appearance of scars and can even help diminish fine lines and wrinkles. To use on the skin Frankincense essential oil should be mixed with a carrier oil such as Jojoba oil or coconut oil. Apply diluted Frankincense essential oil to problem areas on the face with a cotton ball.

Helps with congestion and coughing.

Frankincense essential oil can reduce phlegm and lung congestion. Use in a diffuser or mix with eucalyptus in an inhaler to help you breathe when you are congested. Frankincense essential oil is one of the most beneficial essential oils around. This essential oil is even being studied for the treatment of some cancers with promising results, although the research is ongoing. There are many other issues that this oil is used for but for the purposes of this article, I do not discuss or recommend ingesting ANY essential oil in any form without expert supervision and the advice of your own healthcare provider. If you would like to learn more about Frankincense, check out this link to Aromatics International. They have a lot of product information and some excellent educational resources and recipes about essential oils:

https://www.aromatics.com?sca_ref=6812376.l0Uc2Vum6i