Written by:
Leah Wingenroth
Frankincense or Olibanum is a precious, aromatic resin used in skincare and perfumes; the word is from Old French, meaning “high-quality incense.” It is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae, particularly Boswellia sacra, B. carterii, B. frereana, B. Serrata and B. papyrifera. Boswellia and its active ingredients, such as boswellic acid, appear to have an excellent anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Its anti-inflammatory effects can help with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and asthma.
The trees start producing resin at about eight to 10 years old. Tapping is done two to three times a year, with the final taps producing the best resin due to their higher aromatic terpene, sesquiterpene and diterpene content. Generally speaking, the opaquer resins are the best quality. Finest resin is produced in Somalia, from which the Roman Catholic Church purchases most of its stock. Terpenes are natural compounds to relax and decrease cortisol levels in the human body, the hormone most commonly associated with stress.
Somali Frankincense is the richest in terpenes out of all the types of frankincense essential oil. The oil has a musky, sweet aroma that’s thought to ease anxiety. Though less widely known than lavender, frankincense is still considered one of the most effective essential oils for improving sleep. Lowered cortisol levels can lead to a complete and unbroken night of sleep and a decluttering of the mind. Somali Frankincense is the key ingredients of our best-selling sleep oil for overactive minds.
In a study conducted by researchers at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust on patients diagnosed with cancer who were experiencing sleep problems, they found that essential oils like frankincense helped reduce sleep problems. 94% of patients reported that they used frankincense to help them sleep, and 92% said they would continue to do so. Studies have shown that frankincense contains pain-relieving, tranquilising and anti-bacterial effects. In light of this, it becomes clear that frankincense essential oil is an effective sleep aid.