The two essential oils of frankincense and myrrh hold a little more mystery than any other oils used in aromatherapy today. The truth is they have profound healing potential, with "folklore" being supported by piling scientific reports. What are these oils all about? Where do they come from and how are they used? Here's a look at these great aromatics, and how you too can use their important therapeutic properties.
First off, these are unusual substances as essential oils as they're distilled from the dried sap of trees and shrubs. It is the dried sap, or resin, from particular trees that bear the name "frankincense" or "myrrh", not the trees themselves. The resins are collected by making incisions with a knife called a "mingaf", and the sap allowed to flow. The final dried resin appears as small chunks, sometimes shaped as tears (naturally from the way the resin flowed and dried from the tree) or otherwise small round pellets known as "pearls". The resins are actually the means of the trees healing themselves, which may clarify their natural healing powers for us as well.
The trees are native to the deserts of North Africa and surrounding regions. Myrrh is extracted from the Commiphora myrrha (also called C. 'molmol') or Commiphora gileadensis trees; Frankincense from the Olibanum trees Boswellia carteri, Boswellia seratta and Boswellia sacra. To the untrained eye, the trees are remarkably similar, with knurled branches and tiny leaves -- both looking tough and native to their very arid regions.
The resins have been held in very high regard for many thousands of years. Their uses weave together the spiritual and medicinal. The smoke of burning frankincense has been a purifying agent for many religious rituals -- and indeed the smoke has antimicrobial properties, and its aroma invokes a stillness of the mind. Its name is derived from the Old French term "frank", meaning pure or free. Myrrh as an incense has an ancient history as well, being one of the earliest recorded aromatics, used over four thousand years ago.
The essential oils of frankincense and myrrh can be more easily incorporated in therapeutic preparations than the resins. Their liquid nature is easily combined in massage or skin care preparations. And you'll actually find several types of essential oils -- with the new advent of distilling with pressurized liquid carbon dioxide, these oils are available as "CO2's", which in the case of these oils may have more potent healing effects than their steam distilled relatives. The reason being is the CO2 process brings more of the natural resin material into the oil, whereas steam distillation only brings the most volatile (easily evaporated) molecules.
The essential oils share two main therapeutic applications: they're considered, along with sandalwood, the greatest of the "meditation aides" in aromatherapy. Their long chain "sesquiterpene" molecules interact with the pineal gland, also sometimes referred to as the "third eye". This part of the brain is associated with spiritual insight, as well as regulating our bodies functions in relation to the cycles of day and night. Both oils are also used for prevention and treatment of aging skin -- they have been shown, with regular use, to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while improving skin texture.
Myrrh's primary role is as an antiseptic. The most common form is a tincture of alcohol and the resin itself, used to treat ulcers inside the mouth. The powdered dried resin is also used to treat tooth and gum infections: combine with slippery elm bark powder, moisten and "pack" in place around the base of the affected tooth. Many people have had nearly miraculous results with this preparation when treating excruciatingly painful toothaches.
Frankincense has been the subject of a significant amount of scientific research in the last decade. It has shown the ability to destroy cancerous cells, while leaving healthy cells unaffected. Scientific inquiry into this activity is still at its earliest stages, and as of yet, protocols for its use have not been developed. Interestingly, the oil has been noted as one of the primary immune-system support aromatics in aromatherapy, by improving one's sense of well-being. Clearly incorporating its use in one's health and wellness program as a preventative measure is worth looking into.
Frankincense is also the source of boswellic acids, which have been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory activity. For this use, frankincense essential oil can be included in arthritis, joint care, and pain relieving blends at concentrations up to 5%. It will synergize well with other anti-inflammatory essential oils such as ginger and German chamomile.
This is just a brief look at these mysterious resins of antiquity. With the availability of their liquid extracts, they've become very easy for the aromatherapy and natural health enthusiast to make use of on a regular basis. They're both considered very important healers: myrrh being a potent antiseptic and frankincense supporting immune function in many ways. Both have a more esoteric side as well, which still in fact leaves a little bit of mystery to their use.
Author Resource:-
The author has made available much information about aromatherapy, such as using ginger oil and other therapeutic essential oils.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlelayout.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
