In my continued quest for natural healing methods to prevent the recurrence of cancer in my body, I'd like to talk to you about some information I've found on the benefits of essential oils in healing. The oil I'd like to share with you today, is Frankincense.
Frankincense begins its journey by being tapped from the very scraggly but hardy Boswellia tree. This is achieved by slashing the bark and allowing the exuded resins to bleed out and harden. These hardened resins are known as "tears." There are numerous species and varieties of frankincense trees, each producing a slightly different type of resin. Differences in the soil and local climate will create even more diversity of the resin, even within the same species.
Frankincense trees are also considered unusual for their ability to grow in environments so unforgiving that they sometimes grow directly out of solid rock. The means of initial attachment to the stone is not known but is accomplished by a bulbous disk-like swelling of the trunk. This disk-like growth at the base of the tree prevents it from being torn away from the rock during the violent storms that frequent the region they grow in. This feature is slight or absent in trees grown in rocky soil or gravel. The tears from these hardier survivors are considered superior for their more fragrant aroma.
The trees will begin to produce their resin when they are about 8 to 10 years old. Tapping the tree for resin is done 2 to 3 times a year with the final tapsproducing the best tears due to their higher aromatic terpene, sesquiterpene and diterpene content. Generally speaking, the more opaque resins are the best quality. Dhofari frankincense (from Boswellia sacra) is said to be the best in the world, although fine resin is also produced more extensively in Yemen and along the northern coast of Somalia, from which the Roman Catholic Church draws its supplies.
For thousands of years frankincense has been used to support the immune system, fight infection and cure disease. Today the most common benefits of Frankincense include:
Reduces Inflammation
Destroys Cancer
Spiritual Awareness
Boosts Immunity
Fights Infections
Improves Anxiety
Heals skin and reduces acne and scarring
A press release by University of Leicester in the UK rekindled the theory that the “wise men” weren’t just bringing wealth to Jesus, but medicine. According to the announcement that went out after being issued, “University of Leicester researchers discover cancer-killing properties of frankincense in ovarian cancer.” Using the compound AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid), the Omani government-funded research has for the first time shown frankincense’s ability to target cancer cells in late-stage ovarian cancer patients. Lead researcher Kamla Al-Salmani explained: “After a year of studying the AKBA compound with ovarian cancer cell, we have been able to show it is effective at killing the cancer cells." That's exciting news!
Frankincense is taken by many people with no known side effects. This finding has enormous potential to be taken to a clinical trial in the future and developed into an additional treatment for all forms of cancer.
Frankincense can boost the immune system like no other! Two fundamental ways this is accomplished is by proliferating lymphocytes (white blood cells, which are the body’s primary defense team) and by keeping inflammation at bay (which is arguably the primary risk factor for most chronic diseases).
This information on the benefits of Frankincense gives me hope that including it into my natural healing regimen will bring only good results. Finding high quality, pure essential oil is imperative. This wasn't hard for me to do since my daughter sells DoTerra essential oils and they are very high grade. But let me warn you, these high grade essential oils are not inexpensive! I'd rather pay for a natural product, with proven healing properties, than depend on a chemically produced drug with unknown side effects.
Frankincense can be used directly on the skin when mixed with a carrier oil such as fractionated Coconut oil. It can also be ingested when placed inside gelatin capsules. You can also take Frankincense (Boswellia) as a supplement by placing a few essential oil drops under your tongue, on the roof of your mouth.
Currently, I use Frankincense essential oil on my skin. I mix it with fractionated Coconut oil and rub it on the soles of my feet twice a day. I also purchased a bag of Frankincense resin from a health food store and burn some of the "tears" daily allowing the scent to permeate my house.
As with any natural or prescription medication or treatment, you should always consult your doctor. I have discussed all of my natural healing supplements, oils, etc. with my Oncologist. Hopefully this information will be helpful to you or someone you know.
And if you've never smelled it, Frankincense smells divine!
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