Frankincense stone: A cleansing substance for body and soul

Frankincense has been known to people since the times of Jesus Christ:  The three wise men who came from the Orient, brought with them gold, frankincense (incense) and myrrh, as gifts.  

Why? Because incense was one of the most precious commodities, for centuries.  It is still today, and once you leave the hectic of the days behind, you immerse yourself in the calm atmosphere of your home. 

Since antiquity, there is no culture, in both the East and the West, where incense has not been used in cultural or religious ceremonies. 

The Golden Age of frankincense began over 4000 years ago by the Egyptians. 

It was transported from the legendary country of Punt, over the incense route (similar to the amber, silk and spice routes), from the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, (passing Mecca and Medina to Petra ).  Strongly secured caravans were used to transport the farnkincense to the Mediterranean Sea . 

It was used by the Greeks since the 7 th century before Christ, by the Near East states and later by the Romans in the 3 rd century after Christ. It was used eventually by the Christians since approximately the 5 th century after Christ, during religious ceremonies. 

At the same time, incense was used in India in the Ayurveda medicine, at cult events, which spread over the whole of the Asian continent.  This tradition and fascination with incense continues to this day.  (Reference: incense sticks and cones). 

Botanical information:

The gnarled Boswellia shrub, or Boswellia tree, grows up to 6  meters high and  belongs to the balsam family. (Burseraceae). It grows in barren earth up to 1000 meters above sea level.

Origin and locations:

There are two places of origin: the arid region of East Africa, like Somalia , Ethiopia , and the southern Arabian peninsulas, as well as India .

Types or incense:

Olibanum (frankincense) Arabian origin: Boswellia sacra, Boswellia carteri

Salai Guggal: Indian (Boswellia serrrata)

Other names:

In Egyptian: sntr (God-like or Godly aroma, in  Greek: livanus (Arabic roots) in Latin: thus (from the Greek word thyos for sacrifice), in English: frankincense (from the latin  fire meaning to kindle), in Hebrew: lebonah, in  Arabian luban ( lebanon )

Collection:

The trunk of the tree is incised with a knife, through which the tree sap oozes out. This sap (god's sweat) solidifies in spite of high temperature. Using a scraper, the solidified drops are collected.

This is done once or twice a year.

Each year different trees are used, since the trees require a break to recover. Today, there are a few plantations of this kind.

Quality:

The more transparent (few tree parts as possible), the better.

Composition:

Pure sap, Water, Gum, Ethereal oil, a Bitter compound, Acids, traces of plants, Bassorin etc. Up till now, over 200 other chemical compounds have been found.

 

Original Use:

Fumigation: Everywhere in the cities one would often find an unbearable stench, as a result of  left overs of slaughtered animals, as well as garbage , human and animal waste, especially in the hot summer months.

Before incense became known as a fumigating agent, people burned all types of herbs such as thyme or bay leaves.

The incense however proved more potent than any herb.  Its intensive scent allowed people breathe again.

Since however it was not available in large quantities, it became a luxury item.  Only in families, who were well of, one would burn incense over coal. Incense became so much in demand, that it advanced in status as gifts to kings and queens. The emperor Nero was the most extravagant with this wonderful tree-smelling incense.  On the occasion of his wife Poppaea`s funeral, he is said to have used the whole years' harvest of the sap.

Incense serves many other purposes: With its smoke, it is said to eliminate and disperse   evil spirits. It also removes negative vibrations, and thereby purifies and neutralizes the air. It is also known to protect travellers.

Catholic Church: On the 6 th of January (the feast of the three Kings) there are some who burn incense in their homes for purification: House and barn are cleansed from all evil.

Cultural Fumigations:

Incense has always been considered as a ‘conveyance for sacrifice and prayer'.

Using incense, prayers and requests rise towards heaven, where they are received and hopefully granted. The same thing occurred in Jewish temples, which is mentioned in the Old Testament.

Christians originally refused to use incense because they thought it an unnecessary ritual.

(During the persecution of Christians, those who were caught, had to swear to deny their faith and were called ‘Thurificanti': meaning those who were using incense during offering. Eventually, incense was used again at cremations and after the fifth century BC it became an essential part of the   Christian liturgy.

When Chinese people consulted the I-Ging, incense use was very intensive.

During exorcisms, the devil had to flee from the smell of incense.

Cosmetics:

As an ingredient in the cosmetic manufacturing (Perfume: available in many scent variations) Creams, Body oils and hair removers. It is also an important part of embalming products.

Greece : has a long and intensive connection with incense, they have their own home-grown sap, which is very similar: the Mastix. It only is available on the island of Chios , is being harvested there and is being used in many products. One has only to think of the ‘Retsina' resin wine. It is also used in powder form for stomach ailments, as ethereal oil in very expensive cosmetics and in soaps.

Historical Remedies:

As already mentioned, incense entered very early into the Medicine of the Ayurveda.

Range of applications: decongestant for coughs and colds, as an analgesic, for the cleaning and disinfection of wounds, as an energy booster for depressed states, and to combat stomach ailments.

Hippocrates has been known to have administered incense to his patients as an effective remedy in the form of creams, powder, inhalation and wound dressings.

The roman warriors noted that incense applied to wounds healed faster and better.

Also, in the West, incense was used in various medicinal procedures, by persons like: Galen, Hildegard von Bingen (amber cookies)

Aromatherapy:

Scents influence our moods and disposition. The scent enters through the nose, is transformed in the brain through the lymphatic system, which is responsible for the distribution of hormones, which affect our emotions. The basic rule: Little is better: Scent concentration, slightly above the detectable level, acts very effectively on the psyche.

The inhalation of the scents created by the burning of incense calms our moods and affects our feelings, concentration and stimulation.

A few drops of incense oil added to the water of the aroma lamp:  the inhalation of the vapour produced by the incense candle induces relaxation.

Incense today?

The scientific community disputes the effectiveness of incense:

Some argue that the synergistic effect of a combination of different natural and chemical materials, produces healing in certain areas. The crucial factor in the effectiveness of the different constituents, is however the production of the incense itself.

In tests that spanned over years, others have tried to separate incense into its individual components. During this process, the Boswellia acids were found, which are effective against pain, inflammation and swelling.

Problem: Medicine or Cosmetics?

The big problem here is that there are no standards. Incense is a natural product. Each tree grows in its own unique sphere, absorbing the minerals and other nourishments from the ground. For further information please consult appropriate references and literature.

To be accepted as medicine however, each tablet has to be identical in weight and concentration of its other ingredients.

In cosmetics, the requirements are not as strict. Here it has to be proved that the product contains what it claims to contain, is not harmful and does not create allergic reactions.

It is for this reason that we can not claim any therapeutic effect. We would suggest that you try incense yourself and experience its mythical mystery.

Other facts about Incense:

Incense is mentioned in the Bible 22 times.

Incense, other than amber was forbidden in ancient Judaism, under the penalty of death.

The ancient Romans classified it as an essential requirement.