by The Puritan's Pride Editorial Team
From time to time, certain buzzworthy products garner the attention of our customers, and there is no denying the “buzzworthiness” of this classic favorite – Frankincense Essential Oil.
“Our 100% Pure Frankincense Essential Oil is one of our most popular oils, and my personal favorite!” says Director of Merchandising at Puritan’s Pride, Dawn Lombardi. “I am especially pleased with the high quality of our Frankincense; it’s ‘steam distilled,’ – meaning that a highly-concentrated steam is used to vaporize the oils for the purest aromatherapy experience.”
Soothing and invigorating Frankincense was one of the consecrated incenses described in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud, and is commonly used in many Christian churches as well. According to the gospel of Matthew 2:11, gold, frankincense and myrrh were among the gifts presented to Jesus by the magi from the East. Obtained from trees of the genus Boswelia (particularly Boswelia carteri and Boswelia sacra), Frankincense Oil is predominantly produced in Somalia, with the countries of Ethiopia, the Arabian peninsula, and central Africa contributing as well. Boswellia sacra trees are able to grow in harsh and unforgiving climates, and they are even known to grow out of solid rock.
The aroma of Frankincense is best described as having a terpeny top note with a rich, warm, and sweet undertone. The scent is strong in comparison to other essential oils, so a little bit goes a long way. A versatile oil, Frankincense blends well with a multitude of woodsy, citrus, and floral scents – particularly pine, bergamot, orange, neroli, lemon, lavender, patchouli, rose, sandalwood and ylang ylang.
Whether you enjoy your essential oils for beauty, relaxation, cleansing, or overall wellness, Frankincense is the oil for you. Here are 11 ways to put Frankincense Oil to work.
In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of Epsom salts, 10-12 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil, and if desired, additional drops of another relaxing essential oil (like lavender, rose, or ylang ylang) and mix well. Add the mixture to a warm bath and enjoy.
Combine 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water and 8-10 drops of Frankincense Oil in a reusable spray bottle. Mix well and use for your daily kitchen and bathroom cleaning needs. For an extra kick, add a few additional drops of a woodsy scent like pine, cedarwood or sandalwood.
No time for a bath? Put 6-8 drops of Pure Frankincense Oil in your shower before turning on the water and enjoy the aromatic steam.
Combine 5 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil with 3 drops of Cinnamon Leaf Oil and 2 drops of pine in your diffuser to fill your house with an aromatic blend that is both refreshing and exhilarating.
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of Sweet Almond Oil with 2 drops of Frankincense Oil, 4 drops of Pine, 3 drops of Eucalyptus and 2 drops of Rosemary. Mix well and massage over your chest and back as desired.
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of Grapeseed Oil with 12 drops of Frankincense, 8 drops of Rose and 6 drops of Lavender, mix well and massage over the body as desired. For an even better experience, warm the Grapeseed Oil in your oven at a low temperature before mixing in the oils. Take care to ensure that the oil isn’t too hot before it makes contact with the skin.
This one is perfect for both men and women, and also makes a thoughtful homemade gift.
Add ½ cup each of aloe vera gel, liquid castile soap and distilled water, 2 tablespoons of Sweet Almond Oil and 3-5 drops of Pure Frankincense Oil to a foamer bottle. Close the lid tightly and shake gently until mixed.
Smooth and rejuvenate tired skin with a quick and easy face mask. Simply combine 3 tablespoons each of bentonite clay and Apple Cider Vinegar with 6 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil in a small bowl, and mix well until a muddy consistency is achieved. Apply generously to the skin, leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes, and rinse well.
Mix 1 drop of Frankincense Oil with 1 drop of Lavender Oil and 1 teaspoon of Jojoba Oil and gently dab onto the skin with a cotton round to sooth dry skin.
For a scrub that’s perfect for exfoliating feet, elbows, knees, and other patches of dry skin, you’ll need 1/2 cup each of coconut oil and sugar, and 7-10 drops of Frankincense Oil.
If the coconut oil is in solid form, warm it up for 10-15 seconds in a microwave in a small bowl to reduce to a liquid. Mix the coconut oil with the sugar and Frankincense, and gently massage over the skin in a circular motion as desired. Be sure to store any extra sugar scrub in an airtight glass container (a fancy container with a nice ribbon make this another DIY gift from the heart!).
In a glass mixing bottle, blend 6 drops of Pure Frankincense Oil, 3 drops of Orange Oil, and 1 teaspoon of Sweet Almond Oil. Dab on each wrist and on other pulse points as desired; be sure to dab and not rub in the perfume, as this will adversely affect the aromatic notes.
Not a Do-It-Yourselfer? Give a Meditation Patchouli & Frankincense Candle a try.
