Frankincense:

Frankincense is also called olibanum, it's from the Boswellia tree. The aromatic resin from frankincense is used in incense and perfumes. According to Wikipedia, frankincense comes from the old French expression franc encens meaning "true incense" (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankincense).

The Boswellia tree produces resin between 8 to 10 years of age. The tree is tapped between 2-3 times per year. During the final tap, it produces "the best tears because of their higher aromatic terpene, sesquiterpene, and diterpene content. The more opaque the resin the better the quality" (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankincense).

The Boswellia tree can be found in the Middle East, Africa, and India. It has a woody and spicy smell.

Health Benefits

Frankincense has been used for medicinal purposes but not all claims are true. Some of the claims have not been tested.

May Help Reduce the Symptoms of Arthritis.

People who took 1 gram of frankincense extract per day for 8 weeks mentioned they could walk further, had better motion and had less joint swelling, and pain than the ones who took a placebo.

Maintain Good Oral Health

Frankincense has antibacterial properties called boswellic acid that treat and help prevent oral infections like bad breath, toothaches, and cavities.

May Improve Stomach Function

Frankincense's antibacterial properties may also help reduce symptoms of stomach diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

May Fight Cancer

The boswellic acid in frankincense may help prevent the spreading of cancer cells. Frankincense may help fight breast, skin, pancreatic, prostate, and colon cancers.

There are many other health benefits to using frankincense these are just four of them.

DIY: Arthritis Cream for Joint Pain

Ingredients:

- 20-30 drops of pure frankincense essential oil

- 10 drops of pure ginger essential oil

- 20-30 drops of myrrh essential oil

- 4 ounces of fractioned coconut oil ( or you can use unrefined)

Instructions:

- Mix all 4 ingredients in a bowl until it is well mixed.

- Place in a jar with a lid to use for later.

- Apply the cream to the area where there is pain.

The best carrier oils to use with frankincense are:

-fractioned coconut oil

-avocado oil

- olive oil

- grapeseed oil

- Jojoba oil

- sweet almond oil

- apricot kernel oil

- extra virgin oil

- macadamia nut oil

Spraying frankincense oil in your room at night, aids in relaxing you to get a good night's sleep. It can be applied to your skin by diluting it with a carrier oil as a cream. Frankincense is also found in perfumes and soap, and you can use a couple of drops in your bath to help with relieving stress.

Side Effects:

So far there are no known serious side effects of frankincense oil, but it can cause minor skin rashes, nausea, or stomach aches on rare occasions.

If you have problems with blood clotting, do not use it unless you speak with your doctor first because frankincense can have blood-thinning effects that might react with certain anticoagulant medications.

Disclaimer

The information provided here is only for educational and informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. Frankincense should not replace medical treatment or guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

Before using frankincense products, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications. Some people may experience allergic reactions or skin sensitivities to frankincense, so do a patch test. Make sure to dilute the frankincense oil first.