| Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) was originally a native | | | | produces a sticky resin which is put through the |
| of the Middle East the shrub is now widely grown in | | | | process of steam distillation to produce an essential |
| India, China and Africa; it is a hardy shrub that can be | | | | oil. This essence can be mixed successfully with |
| grown in very barren soils found in extreme desert | | | | several other oils including cedarwood, camomile, |
| conditions. | | | | cypress, basil, myrrh, pine, rosemary and sandalwood. |
| There is much evidence indicating that frankincense | | | | This popular oil has many uses in aromatherapy; it is |
| was used by the Egyptians as early as the 15th, | | | | known to benefit those suffering from anxiety, |
| century B.C. showing how they often combined it | | | | nervous tension, depression and other stress related |
| with other oils, including myrrh, juniper berries and | | | | conditions. Because frankincense blends well with |
| cinnamon to produce an oil used as a temple incense. | | | | many other oils and has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory |
| According to the Bible the baby Jesus was given | | | | and astringent properties it has fantastic properties |
| gold, frankincense and myrrh as a gift and there are | | | | for use as a skin preparation which is used to treat, |
| details of how frankincense was used as an anointing | | | | soothe and generally improve all skin types, especially |
| oil and also in many other religious ceremonies. In the | | | | the more mature or prematurely aging skin. Many |
| Ancient World it became so popular that it was used | | | | respiratory infections such as coughs and catarrh |
| by many cultures to treat almost all known ailments. | | | | benefit from using frankincense oil and it has mild |
| Frankincense has an easily recognisable aroma which | | | | diuretic properties. The blending ability combined with |
| is spicy, woody with a hint of pine. | | | | its skin treatment properties makes frankincense an |
| When the bark is removed from the shrub it | | | | ideal oil for use in baths or as a massage oil. |