Want the easiest health tip ever? Begin integrating essential oils into you usual wellness practice (or keep doing so if you’re already on board).
Discover some powerful pairings here — but few oils multi-task the way frankincense oil can. This healing powerhouse is one of our favorite natural remedies for wellness issues of all shapes and severity. Read below as functional medicine expect, Dr. Josh Axe explains the mind-body benefits and top uses for frankincense oil…
Essential oils are organic compounds that come from the bark, flower, fruit, leaf, seed, or root of a plant or tree, and these oils are so potent that just one drop can have a positive effect on health. Used topically, aromatically or ingested, each essential oil has its own unique set of health benefits. Frankincense, often called the “king of oils”, is one of my personal favorites that I use daily.
Frankincense comes from the resin of trees of the genus Boswellia. It has been used for thousands of years for spiritual purposes (you may be familiar with its history as one of the first gifts given to baby Jesus by the wise men). It also has a lengthy history as a traditional medicinal and beauty aid.
But ancient history aside, frankincense definitely has several benefits that warrant its use in today’s modern times. Here are eight of the top uses for frankincense essential oil:
Reduces Inflammation
It is widely known that inflammation is at the root of most diseases today. And because frankincense oil contains boswellic acids, which research has shown can reduce the inflammation associated with inflammatory diseases like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, frankincense can be a powerful first life of defense against many common ailments. When used topically, frankincense has even been shown to improve common inflammatory skin issues such acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Improves Oral Hygiene
When it comes to oral health, frankincense oil is a perfect addition to a daily routine because of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. A study published in 2011 looked at Frankincense’s ability to improve plaque-induced gingivitis, and the findings were impressive. After frankincense treatment, participants showed significant reduction in key measures of oral hygiene status including gingival index and the plaque index. Frankincense is also useful for getting rid of bad breath.
I highly recommend looking for natural toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain frankincense or including frankincense oil in your own homemade toothpaste.
Relieves Joint + Muscle Pain
As a natural anti-inflammatory agent, frankincense oil is a great holistic option for fighting muscle aches and joint pain, and applying the oil to an area of concern can help to boost circulation and decrease pain. For sore muscles or joints, simply combine several drops of frankincense oil with a carrier oil (like coconut) to massage into the problem area.
Frankincense is even recommended to be taken internally to help prevent cartilage loss and inhibit the autoimmune process for patients with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or bursitis symptoms.
A Natural Household Cleaner + Air Purifier
Skip the toxic cleaners and try using essential oils to clean your home. As a natural antiseptic, frankincense oil can help to kill germs that are lurking on the many surfaces in your home. Using it in an essential oil diffuser can also help to cleanse the air, especially if you or someone you live with has recently been sick. Not only will it disinfect areas of your home or office, but frankincense acts as a natural deodorizer with its sweet, yet refreshing, scent.
Relieves Stress + Anxiety
A big plus to using frankincense oil to clean and disinfect your living spaces is that the scent left behind (often described as sweet, musky and earthy all in one) can help to naturally calm you down. How so? Frankincense is known to have anxiolytic properties, which is a fancy way of saying it can help reduce anxiety. If you’re not in the mood to clean, just simply diffuse frankincense oil into the air and let the stress of the day melt away.
Acts as an Anti-Ager
Frankincense oil is considered sacred in the spiritual realm, and it’s also pretty divine when it comes to its effects on skin health. It’s not uncommon to see frankincense essential oil on a list of natural ways to combat the signs of aging, and the oil can be diluted and applied anywhere you have fine lines or saggy skin.
Reduces Scars + Stretch Marks
When used topically, frankincense oil can aid wound healing and may decrease the appearance of scars. It may also help decrease the appearance of stubborn stretch marks. To reap these benefits, simply mix two to three drops of frankincense with equal parts of a base oil (such as almond, jojoba or coconut) or a lotion, and apply the mixture directly to the skin.
Helps Fight Cancer
Research also points towards frankincense oil, specifically that from the resin of the Boswellia sacra tree, as a natural anti-cancer agent. In a 2011 scientific study, frankincense oil was shown to induce cancer cell death in human breast cancer cell lines, similar to previous research conducted with human bladder cancer cells.
Frankincense is known to have blood-thinning effects, so people with problems related to blood clotting should not use frankincense before consulting with their health care provider. When purchasing frankincense oil or any essential oil, you always want to look for brands that are 100 percent pure and certified USDA organic. These are the highest grade essential oils with the greatest healing properties.
Learn more about the mind-body healing power of essential oils here!
The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease.
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health related program.
