If your only encounter so far with Frankincense has been dressed as one of the three wise men in the school nativity, keep reading this week’s blog to find out why it definitely warrants inclusion in your modern-day wellbeing regime.

Frankincense essential oil is distilled from the resin of the Boswellia Sacra tree, which grows in the hot, arid countries of Arabia and East Africa. For over 5000 years it has been traded as a very precious commodity, even more valuable than gold.

So, what is so special about Frankincense?

Frankincense essential oil has important cosmetic and mood-altering properties.

It was used heavily in ancient Egypt as part of the embalming and mummification processes due to its ability to tighten and smooth the skin. Cleopatra herself recognised its age-defying properties and is reported to have added frankincense to her baths of ass’s milk as part of her beauty regime.

One of the very first cosmetic products developed by the founder of Neal’s Yard Remedies, whose organic skincare products I use in my holistic facials, was a Frankincense & Myrrh Day Cream, which is now known as the Frankincense Hydrating Cream. 

Neal’s Yard have three different ranges of Frankincense skincare to offer:

• Rejuvenating (for all skin types and to prevent signs of ageing)

• Frankincense Intense Age Defying (for the first signs of ageing, fine lines and wrinkles)

• The Frankincense Intense Lift (for deeper lines and more mature or sun-damaged skin). 

I use the Frankincense Intense Age Defying range in my Mindful Frankincense Holistic Facial and Age Well, Stress Less Wellbeing Package.

It also features in the Seasonal Wellbeing Package during the autumn and winter months.

Frankincense has also been burned for thousands of years as an incense. Its woody, aromatic scent was widely used at funerals and other religious and spiritual ceremonies. Inhaling Frankincense in the form of incense or diffused as an essential oil has been shown to help reduce the heart rate and slow down the breath. Hence it is widely used in meditation and mindfulness practice. Check out the Aromatherapy Blend Meditation and the Meditation Remedies To Roll for simple ways to experience the calming and stress-busting effects of frankincense.  

Not all Frankincense is equal though. The quality and fragrance of the oil varies depending on where it is grown and the way in which it is harvested. Due to its popularity and luxury price ticket, Frankincense has become over-harvested in many parts. I love to use Frankincense essential oil from Neal’s Yard because of the high quality of the product and the sustainable way in which it is harvested. The company are currently investing in a project to plant 1000 new Boswellia trees in Oman and have installed water wells at the plantation so that the local community can both access clean water and earn a regular income from the harvest. You can read more about their Project Frankincense here.

Why not experience the benefits of Frankincense for yourself by booking a Mindful Frankincense Luxury Facial, Age Well, Stress Less Wellbeing Package or Seasonal Wellbeing Package today, or ask me for some product samples to try at home.

*Please note that if you make a purchase from one of the links in this post, I will receive a commission for these as a Neal’s Yard Independent Consultant.