Olfactory Series #4 Frankincense::National Fragrance Week | Smell Good Spa™

It's just the first week of June for many, however, for those creative beings that pay respect to the olfaction, daily, this is the week when all things that smell good are celebrated.  Happy National Fragrance Week!

National Fragrance Week is about celebrating cologne, perfume and all things good-smelling. That includes scented candles, potpourri, soaps and lotions, flowers, and even food.

To celebrate National Fragrance Week 2014, I'll highlight seven scents that are beneficial for healthy living, in this Olfactory Series.
 

Frankincense

Yesterday, I shared the healthy living benefits from Myrrh oil.  Today is all about Frankincense oil, because you rarely see one without the other, and in some cultures there's a refusal to use Myrrh oil without Frankincense oil.  Frankincense oil is extracted from the gum/resin from the Olibanum tree, it is also called Olibanum oil. The Ancients used Frankincense oil for skin care and stomach aliments; The Egyptians also used it for kohl (black eyeliner). Not only was this aromatic commodity traded throughout North Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula, over 5000 years ago, in 1323 BC, Frankincense was found in King Tut's tomb.  Popular in cosmetics, and as a home fragrance product, Frankincense oil has numerous benefits for healthy living.

Healthy Living Benefits:

• Antiseptic and Disinfectant -  The aromatic smoke has the ability to eliminate germs, in the area in which Frankincense is being used. Frankincense oil can also be used for dental hygiene -- add it to warm water for a healthy mouth rinse, or, to DIY toothpaste (how about trying this one?), to combat germs.
• Stretch Marks - Frankincense oil possesses an interesting property for skin health. When applied topically, Frankincense oil is thought to make stretch marks, scars, surgery marks, and other markings on the skin fade at a much faster rate than any other product used.
• Anti-Aging - Amazingly, Frankincense oil helps to tighten skin all over the body, while replacing dying cells with healthy ones.  This is due to Frankincense's effectual astringent capabilities.
• Aromatherapy - Inhaling Frankincense oil when feeling stress or anxious can promote mental peace, relaxation and satisfaction.  To properly inhale Frankincense oil, apply a few drops to a cloth or tissue, or, use an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporizer. Adding a bit of Frankincense oil to a warm bath can also induce a state of calmness.

Has the scent of Frankincense benefited you in any of the above situations, or, one that isn't mentioned?  Share with us in the Comments.


Aromatically,

Consult a physician or certified aromatherapist before introducing essential oils into your healthy living regimen.

Source(s):

Organic Facts. "Health Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil" OrganicFacts.net. 7 April 2008. Web. 4 June 2014

Martin, Nan, LSHC, CRTS. "Frankincense Oil or Olibanum is an Ancient Spiritual Oil from the Middle East" ExperienceEssentialOils.com. 19 April 2014. Web. 4 June 2014

Wong, Cathy, ND. "Frankincense Essential Oil - What You Should Know" Alternative Medicine. About.com. 2 June 2014. Web. 4 June 2014