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.
A curious fact about both frankincense and myrrh essential oils is that they're distilled from dried resins -- something quite unique in the world of aromatherapy. Less than 5 commonly used essential oils are distilled from resins, the rest being from leaves, roots, bark, wood and flowers. The terms frankincense and myrrh refer to the actual dried resin -- essentially "sap" -- from particular trees and shrubs, not the trees and shrubs themselves. One of the great features of this is that no harm is done to the plants upon collection -- they're a completely renewable resource.
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.
Both frankincense and myrrh have very long histories of use, dating back several thousand years -- with a recorded history not much older than mankind itself. Both have been burned as incense for purification purposes, again both medicinally and spiritually. Burning frankincense is the classic scent of the Catholic church, at one time being an important fumigant during times of plague. The name frankincense is actually a combination of ancient terms meaning "pure smoke". Today, one can still burn these resins as incense, or diffuse the essential oils themselves.
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.
In modern natural health practices, myrrh is typically used as an antiseptic, most specifically for sores in the mouth and for tooth infections. Powdered resin is made into a paste by mixing with powdered slippery elm bark, along with a few drops of another antiseptic essential oil. This paste is useful for toothaches, being held in place on the gum at the base of the affected tooth. This preparation is known to "draw" the infection to the surface, easing the pain of inflammation and encouraging quick healing. Myrrh resin can be tinctured in alcohol, and is also found in mouthwashes.
The primary medicinal uses of frankincense essential oil surround its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and immune system stimulating effects. The oil and resin have been the subject of scientific inquiry into their potentials as cancer treatments -- with positive results. Frankincense is able to eradicate cancerous cells, while leaving other cells unharmed. The oil is also considered to be an immune system tonic, enhancing its action in overcoming illness.
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 reports on specific anti-microbials such as tea tree and other therapeutic essential oils .
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