Frankincense was one of the precious gifts brought by the Three Wise Men from distant lands to the baby Jesus, and this medicinal resin always occupies a magical and somewhat mysterious part in the traditional story of Christ's birth.
For thousands of years in the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, people traded in incense, and it was quite an expensive commodity, especially quality incense.
It was obtained by cutting the bark of Boswellia Carterii or Boswellia sacra trees, allowing the sap to drain from the bark and gradually dry into drops of hardened resin.
Traditionally, frankincense has been praised for curing skin and digestive ailments.
High-quality frankincense was either swallowed directly or chewed like gum, and its juices were then swallowed.
In traditional Indian medicine, it was used to treat wounds, arthritis, balance hormones and purify the air from possible infections.
The Egyptians used it as eyeliner or to treat the skin. In Arab, Indian and East African cultures, incense was burned daily in homes as it was believed to bring health to everyone in the home. It is no wonder that incense was used for purification in temples and liturgical altars in many Christian churches.
Additionally, for centuries the Jewish religion used incense mixed with oils to anoint newborn babies as they entered a new phase in their spiritual journey.
Frankincense relieves stress and anxiety
Scientific researchers have found that frankincense reduces depression and anxiety thanks to the chemical compound incensol acetate.
So when you feel overwhelmed and need to calm down, put a few drops of frankincense essential oil in a diffuser, in a hot bath, or simply light a few incense sticks in the room.
Not only will this calm your anxious mind, but many people believe that the aroma of incense increases intuition and connection with the spiritual.
Frankincense acts as a natural sleep aid
In addition to having a calming effect, the unique aroma of incense helps to open the respiratory and lung passages, which allows the body to reach the temperature necessary for sleep. This not only helps you fall asleep quickly, but is also essential in helping you sleep through the night.
Frankincense reduces inflammation and pain
Frankincense has the natural ability to block key inflammatory molecules often found in diseases with severe tissue inflammation such as arthritis, asthma and irritable bowel syndrome. This helps in reducing the pain associated with these diseases of any other inflammation in the muscles or tendons. It can also help prevent the wear and tear of vulnerable cartilage tissue.
Frankincense helps fight cancer
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered that a chemical compound in the resin has the ability to kill cancer cells in colon, breast, ovarian and prostate cancers. They extensively studied how the compound acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) contained in frankincense protects normal cells from ovarian cancer cells and even kills some of the cancer cells, reducing the spread of cancer at every stage of the disease.
For centuries and centuries, in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine, frankincense oil has been used to treat wounds, hormonal problems, arthritis and to purify the air. In many cultures, for example Arab, and in countries such as India, Somalia, Ethiopia, frankincense oil is used daily to this day.
If you didn't know, now you know and you can add its ordinary magic to your daily life ❤️
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Stob, Bulgaria