All About Frankincense

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Most people know the word Frankincense from stories of ancient times - the magi brought it as a gift to the baby Jesus, Howard Carter discovered it in King Tutankhamun's tomb as it was used by Egyptians, etc. - but they may not realize that it is still widely used in holistic medicines today. You may see it as Boswellia in supplements and natural personal care products or hear it called by other names like olibanum or Ru Xiang (an herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine). No matter its name, Frankincense is a tree resin that is often seen in easier-to-use forms, such as essential oils. Read on to learn its benefits and uses.

Frankincense is great for overall longevity and cell turnover - rumor has it that Young Living founder Gary Young went through a bottle a day! - but it's also known for specific purposes...

• Prayer and meditation: Some religious rites use Frankincense incense, and it can re-center the mind even in individual yoga practices. Use it to ground yourself during a stressful situation or just as part of your bedtime routine.
• Pain: Ru Xiang is classified as a Blood mover in TCM, and the classic symptom of Blood Stasis is intense pain. Some TCM formulas contain Ru Xiang - often paired with Mo Yao, or Myrrh - but the essential oil can also help.
• Skin health: Frankincense has been used in beauty regimens for thousands of years, and modern research is starting to show that it can impact the skin's aging process. 

Frankincense essential oil can be used aromatically, topically, or internally, and the best method will mostly depend on your intention.

• Aromatically: Smelling Frankincense right from the bottle, making a room spray with it, diffusing it... There are many ways to inhale the oil (or you can even heat the resin itself). You may want the aroma in the air if you're using Frankincense during prayer or meditation.
• Topically: Applying Frankincense - or a Frankincense product like a face cream infused with it - is great for local concerns such as pain and skin irritations.
• Internally: Taking supplements with Frankincense can help with systemic issues like inflammation.

Everything that you absorb through your respiratory system, skin, and digestive organs will eventually make it into your bloodstream and affect your whole body, so don't stress too much if you're still not sure which method will work best for you. Just choose whichever will be the easiest to incorporate into your health routine.