Frankincense Boswellia carteri

Botanical Name  Boswellia carteri
Plant Part  Resin
Extraction Method  Steam Distilled
Country of Origin  France
Synonyms  Olibanum

Botanical Description
This small tree grows on the rocky hillsides of Yemen, Oman, Ethiopia and Somalia and has several subspecies being carteri (France), frereana, papyifera, sacra and serrata (from western India). It is a small tree with pinnacle leaves and has white or pale pink flowers.  The trees are not cultivated, and the resin is collected by making incisions into the bark where the trees are most abundant.  When distilled, the oleo gum resin produces a soft, basalmic oil. 

Essential Oil Characteristics
Frankincense Oil is a pale yellow green liquid, with  a woody, spicy, haunting smell.  It is slightly camphoric, but is regarded as more pleasant. 

Blends well with
Basil, bergamot, cardamom, cedarwood, chamomile, cinnamon, clary sage, coriander, geranium, ginger.  Base-note for blending.

History
Frankincense is from the French word Franc, meaning free, pure or abundant and Latin incensum, meaning to smoke.  Also known as Olibanum (Oil of Lebanon), Frankincense was used by the ancient Egyptians as an offering to the gods and as a rejuvenating facemask.  It is mentioned in the Bible often, and was used to make kohl (charcoal twigs) and is an ingredient in kyphi.

Common Uses
Frankincense treats lung and genito-urinary complaints, ulcers, chronic diarrhea, breast cysts, and excessive menstruation.  Frankincense oil is said to help rejuvenate an ageing skin, is a skin tonic and is effective with sores, boils and carbuncles, hard-to-heal wounds, scars and skin inflammation, acne, and fungal infections.

For centuries, frankincense has been used to increase spirituality, mental perception, meditation, prayer, and consciousness.  It fortifies and soothes the spirit, slows and deepens breathing, and is relaxing. It is said to release past links and subconscious stress.

Therapeutic Actions
Antiseptic, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, diuretic, emmanagogue, expectorant, sedative, uterine, vulnerary.

Works with the following Body Systems
Nervous, Respiratory, Skin.

Cautions
Frankincense is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitising.

Important Note: The information provided is for educational purposes only.

Please Note
If you are buying by the drop, please click here to purchase your vial for storage -
2ml amber vial & black cap