Frankincense oil is best known for its special smell, which is associated with the church. In this article you will find out what is still behind the essential oil.
Frankincense oil: that’s how it’s made
Frankincense is the air-dried resin of the frankincense trees, a type of plant that belongs to the balsam family. The frankincense essential oil is obtained from this resin. To do this, the trunk and branches of the frankincense trees are first cut during harvest so that a sticky liquid escapes.
This dries in the air and solidifies into the typical resin mass. Harvesters use a special tool to scrape the resin from the trees. The essential frankincense oil is then removed from the resin mass by means of steam distillation.
The scent of frankincense plays an important role in many religions and cultures. The gum is traditionally burned for this, so that the typical sweet and mild smell is created. Today, incense in Europe is particularly associated with the Christian religion. However, people in ancient Egypt and ancient Rome used incense as a means of smoking and healing. Frankincense has long been considered a proven natural medicine in China and India.
How does frankincense oil work?
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In the European Pharmacopoeia there is only one Indian incense entered. Its contained essential oils are supposed to fight inflammation, relieve pain and promote the swelling of wounds. In some cases, they are even said to have an antibiotic effect.
Frankincense is considered a cure rheumatism and chronic bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease, In Germany, however, frankincense products may not be sold or prescribed as a medical device.
You can only use frankincense in the form of tablets and capsules Dietary supplements to buy. The frankincense oil can also be found in creams, balms, gel and other cosmetic products, which should help against skin irritation and dryness. The smell of frankincense oil is also said to have a relaxing effect and can therefore be used for restlessness and sleep problems, among other things. However, this effect has not yet been scientifically proven.
How to use frankincense oil
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You can use frankincense oil in several ways:
- If you have joint problems, you can massage one or two drops of the oil into the appropriate areas.
- Alternatively, you can make compresses by rubbing a wet cloth with a few drops of the frankincense oil on top of the painful areas.
- An incense bath can also be joint and muscle pain alleviate. Simply add a few drops of the oil to the warm bath water. In addition, you provide a soothing smell.
- In case of restlessness and sleep problems, you can inhale frankincense oil. To do this, fill a bowl with boiling water and add two to three drops of the oil. Let the mixture cool down a bit. Then bend your head over the bowl, cover it with a towel and inhale the vapors.
When buying the frankincense oil, you should make sure that it is actually pure and high quality oil. Some oils that are heavily contaminated or oxidized can cause skin irritation and other discomfort.
Pregnant women should not use frankincense oil, as no research results regarding possible side effects are available yet.
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