Frankincense

Origin and history

Frankincense comes from incisions in the bark of Boswellia trees that grow in arid regions of Yemen, Oman, Somalia, Ethiopia, India. The most prized resin is the "Hojari" frankincense from Oman — considered superior in aromatic quality. The Ancient World imported the frankincense across the famous "incense route" — caravan routes connecting Arabia with the Mediterranean — making frankincense one of the most valuable trade goods of antiquity, comparable to gold itself.

Religious use is universal in the Mediterranean and Asian world: 1) Egypt: central in temple ritual and in embalming. 2) Israel: explicitly prescribed in the Old Testament (Exodus 30:34) for the Levitical priestly incense; sacred substance reserved for divine worship. 3) Greece and Rome: standard incense of all temples; word "perfume" comes from Latin per fumum ("through smoke"). 4) Christianity: used to this day in the liturgical mass of all branches (Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, etc.) — its use was inherited directly from Hebrew temple practice. 5) Islam: also widely used in religious and funerary practices. 6) Christian Bible: along with myrrh, one of the two regal gifts of the Magi to baby Jesus.

Properties and use

Frankincense releases a characteristic aroma: woody, slightly sweet, lemony-citrus, deeply spiritual. Many people consider it the most spiritually elevating aromatic substance they have experienced — and there are reasons: studies of modern aromatherapy have documented that the burnt frankincense releases compounds (incensole acetate) that have measurable physiological effects on relaxation and mood — that is, modern science begins to confirm what the ancients knew empirically.

Esoteric properties: 1) Spiritual elevation — frankincense is the most "celestially uplifting" sacred incense; lifts vibration of the space, opens to higher consciousness. 2) Connection with the divine — facilitates prayer, meditation, contemplation. 3) Cleansing and purification — although less "directly cleansing" than white sage or palo santo, it has subtle deep cleansing especially effective in sustained periods (daily use over weeks raises the energetic level of a space gradually). 4) Combined with myrrh in equal proportions = perfect balance celestial + terrestrial; one of the most respected ritual combinations of the Western tradition. 5) Empirical-medicinal properties: anti-inflammatory (boswellic acids of the resin have measurable anti-inflammatory effect; modern studies on Boswellia for arthritis), respiratory expectorant, mild calming.

How to use it

1) Burn as resin: small pieces of frankincense on self-igniting charcoal in heat-resistant censer. Most spiritually traditional way. 2) Combine with myrrh in equal proportions for full classical balance. 3) Frankincense essential oil: aromatherapy diffusion, meditation, ritual anointing. 4) Daily ritual moments: integrate frankincense as standard incense for your meditation/prayer/altar — its sustained presence raises gradually the energetic level of your sacred space. 5) Important religious-spiritual ceremonies: Christmas (the gifts of the Magi), Easter, important meditative rituals. 6) Ethics: frankincense is generally less politically controversial than white sage or palo santo (no severe overexploitation problems currently, no specific cultural appropriation problems); is reasonable choice for Western practitioners seeking ritual incense without "appropriation issues".