Frankincense

Used for millennia, frankincense is the resin of Boswellia trees, namely Boswellia sacra is probably the most associated with spiritual practice than any other plant on earth. In a variety of ancient cultures, including Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Hebrew, and Romanesque civilizations, incense played an important role in religious and daily life. This resin was sought after by kings and was valued as highly as gold. Recently, frankincense essential oil has gained its distribution among spiritual seekers as well as healers. What is so special about this tree, if its "pearl" - resin - was presented as a gift to the most famous prophet in history - Christ?

The Frankincense tree, or Olibanum, looks inconspicuous at first glance: like a giant shrub with abundant foliage, and occasionally found small white flowers. Native to North Africa, this tree appears to belong to the desert and grows in some of the most challenging conditions on earth. However, not the tree itself, but its sap, has tremendous significance in the world. When the bark of a tree is pierced with a knife (traditionally known as "Mingaf"), the milky-white resin flows out of the cut without harming the tree itself. The resin takes the form of droplets known as "tears" or "pearls," after which they solidify into an orange-brown resin known as Frankincense. The English name for incense - Frankincense - comes from the meaning of the French word "franc" meaning "pure" or "free", as well as the Latin "incensium" meaning "smoke."

For over 5,000 years, the hardened resin was burned in the temples of Egypt, China and India, and the Catholic and Orthodox Churches continue to use it during services today. It is one of the four main ingredients of Jewish ceremonial incense and is an important part of Shabbat offerings. It is believed that the smoke of incense (as well as other ritual incense), carries the prayer to heaven along with its smoke. Also, the scent of incense soothes the mind and the breathing becomes deeper and more even, which is also beneficial for meditation and yoga practice. This incense has a healing effect, since its smoke has antiseptic properties, so that in the church ministers and visitors do not get sick.

According to ancient documents, the great Baal Temple in Babylon consumed 2.5 tons of incense per year. The incense trade was important in ancient times, about 2000 years ago. Caravans could reach 2 or 3 thousand camels. Cities sprang up along trade routes, and taxes, camel protection and feeding services greatly increased the value of this resin, so it was valued as much as gold.

Frankincense resin has a huge number of beneficial qualities - it was an ingredient in a rejuvenating mask in Ancient Egypt (also, the resin was charred and used as a pencil for eyeliner, as can be seen in the images of the ancient Egyptians), and was used to treat all kinds of diseases in humans. In Ayurveda, frankincense is known as salaiguggul, which has been used for centuries in the treatment of arthritis and other conditions. Modern science has identified an active ingredient that has anti-arthritic qualities (boswellic acids), which suppress inflammation, improve blood circulation and prevent further cartilage contraction.

Modern natural medicine has started using frankincense essential oil. An oil with a warm, woody and sweetish aroma, with a hint of citrus, which is obtained by steam distillation. It is used for diseases of the respiratory system such as bronchitis, catarrhal inflammation, asthma; as well as for wrinkles, for wound healing and for dry skin; and also in cases of rheumatism, cystitis and leucorrhoea.

The most important effect of frankincense oil is on the nervous system. Smelling incense with incense oil can serve as an antidepressant, the aroma can both relax and revitalize, help in case of nervous tension or exhaustion. Frankincense oil contains sesquiterpenes that act on the limbic system, hypothalamus, pineal gland and pituitary gland. Incense with frankincense oil can also increase the amount of growth hormone. They are also believed to strengthen the immune system.

Frankincense essential oil can also be used as an incense, during wind practices - being heated in an aroma lamp, and it can also be applied directly to the third eye area (between the eyebrows), which will help calm the mind and its stability. Frankincense is often mixed with sandalwood, myrrh, or cedar for similar purposes.

Today incense is available in many different forms at a fairly reasonable price. Frankincense oil can be bought, as well as incense with incense, or incense with incense oil, or as tar directly, as well as in candles with aromatic oils. In whatever form you choose, light the incense and allow yourself to be surrounded by the scent as you experience this deep scent.

In our store you can buy:

Japanese incense with incense oil - http://incense.com.ua/japans/nippon-kodo-hearb-earth/frankincense-ladan.html,

Japanese incense incense from the "Morning Star" series http://incense.com.ua/japans/nippon-kodo-morning-star/frankincense-ladan2017-05-27-18-33-57.html

Indian incense "Frankincense" - http://incense.com.ua/india/vesovye/vrindavan-frankincense-ladan.html

cones with incense resin - http://incense.com.ua/india/konusy/konusnye-blagovoniya-ladan.html

Bring a little incense scent into your life and uncover its mystery ...